July 2022 Newsletter

In July, a lot of activity took place at Urukundo Foundation, both at the school and in the village.

I do hope you enjoy the journey through the month with me.

Work continues on the renovation of my old residence for it to become the new location of the Dental Clinic.

Inside work is underway.

Floors are being prepared and waiting for the tile.

The required tile does make a difference.

The new roof is on now. Ceiling panels are needed.

From this to …

THIS! Beautiful.

Gate entrance to the new Dental Clinic from the main road. Looking good. What cleaning the bricks can do!

Same wall looking toward the gate. A lot of work but worth the effort.

Inside the gate. Ollie checking it out.

Developing space for parking. Hard labor. From this to …

THIS! Off-street parking.

Handicap accessible entrance from the parking lot to the waiting room. Ramp in place.

As in all areas of Urukundo, the Dental Clinic has an accessible entrance. Cement not dry yet.

August will see the end of construction and the opening of the improved Dental Clinic. Thanks to all who helped make this possible. I am grateful.

Mama’s house

Still in the process of decorating and adjusting to the new residence. I am so feeling the security and comfort of my new lifestyle. Staying with cultural art has been wonderful.

New artwork over kitchen cabinets. I love the Rwandan animals.

Rwandan design. Perfect wall covering for my living room.

Also good for photoshoots.

Benita, Claudine, guest Drew Kahn and Soso do a photo op in the new space. Ollie never misses a chance to pose. She likes the camera. Our guest posed with the kids for this farewell photo before traveling on to Kenya.

Climate change

The violent storms we are experiencing are beyond any I have witnessed in the 20 odd years I have been in Rwanda.Tropical storms are expected, but wind and rain, mixed with lightning, rumbling claps of thunder, and hailstones big enough to dent your car are a little much. The storms are truly testing my new residence and the hilly land around the Learning Center.


Damage in front of the preschool.

Rwanda’s flag is no longer surrounded by mud.

Benjamin and his crew went to work, and the mud is no longer a problem. Safer for the kids. Now the children can run and play without mud. I am happy.

Living on a mountain is always exciting. Rwanda is all mountains. There is no choice.

Watching a mountain erode in the form of a mudslide behind the primary school. Retaining walls are a must. We cleaned up the mud, but it will take some time to build the retaining wall to prevent further damage. We know each storm will make it worse. The ground is so soft.

Special event

Sharing it with you but with no pictures of the event.

For the first time, I gave a group a tour inside my house using Zoom. I think FaceTime and Skype also would work. When I was in the USA, this wonderful and supportive group asked me if it would be possible to have a virtual tour of the house they helped to build. I really wasn’t sure I could do it as I had never tried it before, but I was willing to try. Well, it worked. It was not perfect, but for a first try I think it was OK.

Thank you, We Are Women Helping Others (WAWHO), in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, USA, for giving me a chance to prove you are never too old to learn new tricks. That changes the old saying that you can’t teach an old dog new tricks.

Who are the ladies of WAWHO? Here’s a photo of them:

January Newsletter

The highlight of 2022: Mama has a new home. Its completion was a very special event. This building will be the home of all future directors of Urukundo and the guest house for visitors and volunteers who wish to spend quality time at Urukundo Village and Learning Center.

Here’s what I could see looking out the window of my old residence. Yes, it was rather bleak. This was the view from my old residence.

Compare this with what I now am able to see from my new residence.

Sliding board, swings, merry-go-round in play area

Basketball court

Basketball

Volleyball

Soccer field

I can view all of the activities, and I am a happy Mama.

Awesome. I feel less isolated and, more importantly, I have contact with the children. I no longer have to climb the mountain to see the kids at play and visit the school.

Here’s a tour of my new home. Small door is my office entrance. Double doors are the entrance to the living quarters. In all the years I’ve been at Urukundo, this is the first time my bedroom is totally private. Wow! What an accomplishment! The shape of the home is a tribute to Rwandan history and culture. It's the shape of the King’s Palace Museum, which is a reconstruction of the 19th century traditional royal residence.

A beautiful art canvas by a local artist, a gift from Urukundo cleaners. Look for it hanging in my new office.

The moving week began on Jan. 4.

Installing kitchen cabinets

Kitchen completed

The dining room drapes open

The dining room drapes closed

Dining area and kitchen. I love the openness of this floor plan.

Relax and enjoy our living area. Great place to greet friends.

Wide-open space includes living area, dining area and kitchen with cathedral ceiling.

Looking straight up.

My greatest joy: zebra, birds and paintings are all Rwandan culture art.

Guest room. The beds are comfortable and the covers will keep you warm.

My office. Imagine an office that does not have a bed in it!

Thank you for touring Urukundo’s new residence with me. I hope soon you can come to Urukundo Village and spend some time enjoying what so many of you have helped build.

Worship at Urukundo

At worship, Mama respects the ever-present danger of Covid-19 with a mask protecting a child who wants to sit on her lap. Love every opportunity but do need to care about the child in my arms.

Pastor Yves looking like clergy. The collar makes him look official. Now we need to get him a robe and a stole for special occasions.

Newest arrival

Ollie, a rescue dog, arrived at Urukundo Village on my birthday. What a wonderful gift! A devoted friend for life. She is 3 years old.

Ollie stays by my side already. Seems that is her job.

Progress on the new residence and guest house

Work on the new residence and guest house is moving along.

Kitchen flooring and back wall

Mama’s bathroom is taking shape. The tile is a pretty grey and white mix.

Saving rainwater is still a priority. This tank connects to Hope House as well as the new residence and guest house.

Sunday surprise

In worship on Sunday, Aug. 22, this dear woman went up front and asked for prayers for the birth of her long-awaited first baby.

Pastor took one look at her face, gave a quick prayer and said, “Go to the birthing center now.” She went quickly. She gave birth 30 minutes later.

Everyone at church counts it as a miracle. I call it a close call.

After the service Pastor Yves visited the newborn. Thank God the birthing center is just across the road from our house of worship.