Visitors

What could be more wonderful than to have two daughters come home at the same time? That happened to me in September.

My Rwandan daughter Solange arrived on Sept. 16.

Read about her in my book “Hope Made Real: The Story of Mama Arlene and the Children of Urukundo” on Page 74. Her story is unique. She moved from Rwanda to McAllen, Texas, when she was about 13. She became a citizen of the USA and now lives in New Mexico, USA. This was her first visit home since leaving Urukundo as a little girl.

Accompanying Solange were her fiance Mark and his sister Ana. Solange was surprised at the many changes at Urukundo and in Rwanda. While at Urukundo, they visited Akagera National Park and the King’s Palace at Nyanza.

Urukundo Director Jean Marie (right) led them on a tour of Urukundo.

They stopped at the new dental facility.

The day care children greeted Mark.

Solange got lots of hugs from staff who knew her as a little girl.

They are hikers and sightseers. Solange enjoyed showing her guests her country, Rwanda.

Aline walked with them.

The next daughter to arrive was my youngest daughter, Jacque, who arrived on Sept. 18. I do have three daughters in the USA plus two daughters-in-law.

Jacque was accompanied by her husband, Sean. His smiling face made my heart sing.

Spending time with the little ones at the daycare was a highlight in their visit.

Daycare manager Anitha looks on with an approving smile.

A special vehicle is needed for a visit to Akagera National Park and the King's Palace Museum.

Urukundo has access to such a vehicle through Let’s Go There Africa.

So much to see and do. My favorite photo is my son-in-law and the big horned cow.

Sean petting the royal cow at the King's Palace.

Notice he did not pet the elephants at Akagera National Park.

Return visitors

From left, Soso, Louise, Lucky and Claude #1.

It was a delight for the boys and me to welcome home Louise Medland. Louise has been a part of the Urukundo family for many years, and she has been Lucky's support person since Lucky was 6 months old. Lucky is now 15 years old and in his fourth year of high school. Louise also spent time with me at the hospital. I so appreciated her care. Louise comes to Urukundo from the UK.

When you are not feeling up to par, it is great to have friends come to visit. A visit from Dr. Otto Fischer of Austria gave my spirits a much-needed lift. Otto brought me chocolate from his home in Austria.

A bit of chocolate each day is good for the body and especially mine. Next best to Fritos Corn Chips and peppermint patties. OK, so I have a few vices. These are not bad ones, just fattening.

Always a welcome visitor, Bruce Krogh of the USA minus Margie arrived for a short visit. He had lunch with Mama in her dining room. School is not in session, so Bruce spent the afternoon with our kids who are visiting also.

Visitors

Left to right: Dr. Sherri Woods, mHub; Yvonne Uwamahoro, mHub; Yvan Rubengebenge, GEI; Eric, Urukundo’s executive secretary; Juliette, Urukundo’s human resource manager; Mama; Jean Marie, Urukundo’s director, and Sherri Prince, an instructor at Youngstown State University traveling with Dr. Woods.

Dr. Woods is an assistant professor and Sherri Prince is an instructor at Youngstown State University in Youngstown, Ohio, USA. We so appreciated their visit.

Mental health and well-being have long been a concern at Urukundo Learning Center and Village. The welfare of our students, employees and the community is important. Our goal is to have a full-time counselor and social worker on staff. Sharing our concerns are the Global Engagement Institute (GEI) and mHub, two organizations founded in Rwanda by Dr. Michael Grosspietsch of Germany.

Our association with Dr. Grosspietsch and GEI dates back to 2006. Dr. Grosspietsh said, “Our mental health and well-being are incredibly precious; we all need to take proactive care of ourselves. Realizing that many people worldwide lack access to even the most basic quality mental health services, I founded mHub in order to help overcome this enormous challenge.”

Dr. Sherri Woods and Ms. Sherri Prince came to Rwanda as volunteers at the GEI Mental Health Hub in Kigali. Dr. Grosspietschl suggested we might have interests in common. Dr. Woods and Ms. Prince traveled from Kigali to Muhanga and included Urukundo in their travels. Accompanying Dr. Woods were, from mHub, Yvonne Uwamahoro, from mHub, and and Yvan Rubengebenge from GEI..

We had more visitors the weekend of July 8. This weekend was a very busy time at Urukundo.

Not just busy, but also a happy time.

We welcomed in the new residence/guest house our first team since the pandemic. It was great to see a bus pull into the compound after the two-year, no-visitor-time period brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic.

This delegation consisted of seven faculty and staff members from SUNY Buffalo State College, New York, USA. Professor Drew Kahn was team leader. Other members of the delegation were associate provost Amitra Wall and teaching artists Jonise Hall, Rose Corrado, Zhanna Reed, Gabby McKinley and Amanda Rojo.

Left to right: Rose, Jonise, Drew, Amanda, Amitra, Gabby and Zhanna.

What a joy, to greet the delegation from Buffalo State back to Urukundo Learning Center after a two-year absence!

Their purpose is to teach teachers through the Anne Frank Project. The Anne Frank Project uses the power of stories as vehicles for community building, conflict management and identity exploration, inspired by the wisdom of Anne Frank. Visit their "Anne Frank Project" website to learn more about this fantastic project.

Drew Kahn, distinguished service professor in the Department of Theater, teaches acting at Buffalo State. Professor Kahn is also on the Hope Made Real International Board.

Seventy-five teachers from the Muhanga District attended this year's seminar.

It was an exciting four days for Urukundo teachers, staff and teachers from the Muhanga District.

June visitors

Pastor Alexi is a United Methodist Church pastor from the Gisenyi area of Northern Rwanda.I have known Pastor Alexi and his family and was able to give them a safe haven when their lives were in danger. Pastor Alexi just achieved his master’s in theology.

Alexi introduced Bill Graf to the Urukundo Foundation in 2007. Bill was a witness – along with Marilyn Ely (now Hope Made Real International Board treasurer) – to our first purchase of land in Gitarama (now Muhanga). Bill is an attorney and lives in Colorado, USA. Urukundo Village and Learning Center is on his agenda each time he returns to Rwanda. While he was a regular visitor for many years, Covid-19 interfered with his usual schedule of visits. I am so happy to have Bill and Pastor Alexi back at Urukundo. Both men are part of Urkundo’s history.

Bill Graf and Pastor Alexi

Ollie has become the official greeter. She loves the camera.

More June visitors

We welcomed Sarah McCarthy and Kathryn Jacobs from the BK Foundation to Urukundo Village and Learning Center. BK Foundation works with various local and international partners. Their visit was a few short hours. Much too short. During their visit, they enjoyed lunch with the students and teachers and then toured the compound.

Our director Jean Marie was the tour guide for Sarah and Kathryn.

Three other visitors to Urukundo were part of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Kigali.

It was my pleasure to meet and greet Emile Munyangabe, a founder at Sierralines Ltd and WazoPlus.com. Emile is Rwandese and lives in Madison, Wisconsin, USA.. The visit was short but delightful.

Mike Kwizera, who lives in Kigali, is Rwanda operation and project manager of Sierralines.

Office Manager of Wazoplus.com. Felix Tuyisenge (red shirt) lives in Kigali, and is Rwanda Managing director for Sierralines Ltd. Also in the photo are Eric Bakinahe, Urukundo’s executive secretary and Emile Munyangabe.

Eric and Felix renewed their long-standing friendship. They were friends and neighbors while growing up. Felix served his internship at Urukundo Daycare and Learning Center in 2016.

Honored guests

The new residence with a great room is perfect for showing appreciation to groups as we honor students who are part of our learning center.

My great pleasure was being honored by a visit from our preschool.

Kindergarten class visits “Mama’s house.” It is such a delight to have a home large enough for a group of children to come to visit.

The preschoolers examine the African art in Mama’s house.

Visitors

Irene Farley of West Chester, Pennsylvania, USA, came to visit. She is the mother of Erin Farley, who is a frequent visitor.

A visit with our dental staff was on her agenda

Along with the daycare.

And the preschool.

Being the caring person she is, Irene is ever conscious of health problems. Irene wore her mask even though the mandate has been lifted. It was a fun visit for her and the kids.

Now let me tell you about another visitor. No photo.

Her name is Jane Spenser. Jane is from the United Kingdom and has visited Urukundo once before. Jane came on the day the flu put me to bed. I did not even think about a photo. I really did not think at all. She was so helpful in my house, visited the school, had her meals with the kids then helped out at the daycare. Those few days allowed me to rest and get well. Thank you, Jane.

Visitors for April

I am thankful many of the Covid restrictions have been lifted and volunteers can return to Urukundo. Covid testing, masks and distancing are still in effect, but these are minor inconveniences.

Kevin Castle, a Rwandese citizen and a long-time volunteer at the Urukundo Home, returned for a too-short visit this Easter season. Kevin is now a teacher and his passion is art. He shared his love of art with our kids.

Mama’s porch was the perfect place for the art project. Easy cleanup.

Acrylic paints with brushes and eggs are a fun project.

Well, maybe painting hard-boiled eggs is a simple form of art, but it is art nevertheless. A bit messy, but so much fun. Kevin brought the acrylic paint and brushes.

What a happy project. Our kids feasted on the eggs at the finish of the project.

We have several visitors who are regulars at Urukundo. Carol Falke and Marilyn Ely from the USA usually visit every year. Covid changed that, so they missed two years. We were so happy both ladies were coming back together in April this year. This did not happen. Only Carol was able to make the trip. Marilyn, who is treasurer of the Hope Made Real International Board, had to cancel because of a positive Covid test.

Marilyn

We miss you, Marilyn. Next year, hopefully.

Carol, president of the Hope Made Real International Board, traveled alone. Carol traveled with many educational supplies for the Urukundo Learning Center.

A lot of luggage but precious gifts.

Our third visitor of April was Dr. Danilo Milanes, dean of the School of Dentistry in the College of Medicine and Health Sciences at the CMHS, University of Rwanda.

Dr. Danilo’s expertise is in orthodontics. We met the doctor thanks to Dr. Valli Meeks,

clinical professor in the Department of Oncology and Diagnostic Sciences at the University of Maryland School of Dentistry. Dr. Meeks was instrumental in starting the Dental Clinic at Urukundo Foundation.

Dr. Danilo is interested in learning more about the Urukundo Dental Clinic and our orthodontia program.

Carol on a mission

First stop, the daycare. A few new toys and an infant safety zone were on the agenda.

Head teacher getting a baby's eye view of hanging toys and a mirror.

Now the babies get a turn.

Baby accepts the whole idea. Hanging animals are a delight.

Manager Anitha introduces the babies in daycare to something new.

Next on Carol's mission was the Urukundo Learning Center and the handwashing station inside the school gate.

Greeting teachers is also important.

Just the beginning of Carol's journey at the Urukundo Foundation. More in the May newsletter.