Sewing Center News

The story of the Sewing Center is in my book, “Hope Made Real: The Story of Mama Arlene and the Children of Urukundo” on Page 216.

A success story to be shared. For Urukundo, the Sewing Center is an example of Hope Made Real.

A pleasure for my day. I received in my office a smiling young woman and an invitation to her wedding.

Marie Claire Cyuzuzo graduated in 2015. This was our first graduating class. She received the Tom Nunnally Award for Excellence, which awarded a sewing machine.

After graduation, Marie Claire went to work using her machine and made enough profit to buy two cows for her family. A year later, she bought a second machine and gave it to a young woman who could not afford to purchase a machine. Paying it forward. She then hired that person to work with her as her first employee.

Her goal after her wedding is to work hard, add more sewing machines and expand her business.

In her own words: “I thank Urukundo Sewing Center for the great education they gave me and Urukundo Foundation in general for the basics they have given me to start my life, including the sewing machine I got as an award.”

Class of 2015. Started with four students and in just a day grew to five. Marie Claire is the last student on the right, next to the gentleman tailor.

Marie Claire and our head teacher, Theresa Mukabanana.

Baptisms

An important day in the life of two of Urukundo’s children. John and Livine were baptized on Aug. 21. This was a very special day for them.

John’s foster parents share love and support. His foster mom, Josephine, is on Urukundo’s staff in the day care.

Livine’s foster mom Juliette shares her joy on this day. Juliette is human resource director at Urukundo.

We are so grateful to the staff members who stepped up and became foster parents for several of our kids.

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.

Sewing students graduate

The Sewing School graduation took place, but there was no parade of the students, no gathering of parents and friends, no student participation to celebrate achievements accomplished during the school year. It was different.

The new auditorium is such a blessing.

In spite of the pandemic, the sewing school class of 2021 held a simple graduation ceremony and celebration on July 8. It was my honor to be present.

Distancing and masks were observed.

Seated with a fellow graduate, the young lady wearing glasses is Nelly Nukubana. It was our pleasure to honor her with the Thomas Nunnally Award for Excellence for being the top student. Each year, the Forest Hills Rotary in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA, honors the late Tom Nunnally, founder of our Sewing School, by presenting this award in his name.

The prize is a sewing machine.

Teachers Epiphanie and Theresa and Mama present the sewing machine to Nelly.

Speakers for the occasion:

Headmaster Irene presented the students to receive their diplomas.

Urukundo Foundation’s acting director Jean Marie Ntwari accepted the graduates as the Class of 2021.

Guest of honor. Yep, it is me.

Teachers Theresa, Epiphanie and Udahemuka

Graduation photo with speakers, staff and students. Love it.

Students take a risk to get a group photo with Mama.

Primary 6 graduates

Primary 6 finished the year 2020-21.

After the national exams ended, the buses returned the kids from the exams to the Urukundo campus.

Now it is time to relax and prepare for a very special occasion.

The photo was taken in front of their classroom.

Yves, Livine, John and Sarah are our kids. These four graduates grew up in the Urukundo Home for Children. Came as babies and left as bright youth on their way to a bright future.

The walk to the auditorium is awesome. It is a bit strange to have no parents walking alongside their graduates. Much different than other years.

Photos with mama

Students, some faculty and administration

A first at the Urukundo Learning Center: Other years, our Primary 6 graduates only received a notice from the National Exam that they had completed Primary 6 and would be admitted to the secondary level of education. However, kindergarten received a certificate of promotion to primary. Primary 6 should also be so honored. It finally happened, and, for the first time, certificates were awarded. We are pleased, and the kids were ecstatic. They are the first. This will now take place every year.

Sharing my joy

If you have not heard, I am happy to announce that I am coming to the U.S. on Sept. 2 and will be in the U.S. through the first week of December. During this time, I’m looking forward to meeting with family and friends in their homes or meeting spaces to give a book talk on my newly published book, “Hope Made Real: The Story of Mama Arlene and the Children of Urukundo.”

A book talk is a short, informal presentation that engages the listeners to enter into the fun, suspense, and adventures of myself and the children. I would love to share my story. A conversational question-and-answer time follows. I hope that long-time supporters will gain deeper insights into my life and the development of the foundation. Those new to Urukundo will have their curiosity ignited. The aim is for everyone to be challenged and empowered to live their best life.

In addition, I welcome the opportunity to take part in your Sunday morning services to share Urukundo and its story of love.

I also am available to come as a guest speaker at your event. Together we can plan a presentation that best suits your audience.

Copies of the paperback book can be mailed directly at cost from Amazon or Book Baby through Mama Arlene’s account to be billed directly to those hosting. Contact her daughter, Patricia D. Brown, for the account information.

To submit your request, please contact Patricia D. Brown, 412-999-1912, pdbrown@spiritworks.org or www.spiritworks.org.

Get your request in ASAP. Mama

Special visitors

As a mom, it’s hard to believe my kids are old enough to think of marriage although I know it is true. Tresor brought his girlfriend Sandra home to introduce her to me and the Urukundo family,

My memories of Tresor are in my book, “Hope Made Real: The Story of Mama Arlene and the Children of Urukundo” on pages 85-86.

Older brothers Tresor and Amin with older sister Seraphine posed for a photo with the younger generation: John, Claudine, Sarah, Benita, and Soso.

Amin hides his eyes as big brother Tresor steals the show. It was so great to have Amin, Seraphine, and Tresor spend some quality time with the younger set.

Hopemadereal House a multi-purpose center

Yep, the new building has a name. Say it fast. It sounds OK that way.

Now that we have a building large enough to accommodate all students at the school, a special assembly is called each Friday and an event takes place. Hopemadereal House is the auditorium for this event.

First school presentation in the new building. This group was only Primary 4, 5, and 6. The competition was a spelling contest and a reading contest in English.

The second week’s event featured the school orchestra and chorus.

We’re so proud of both.

This assembly hosted both a spelling contest and a reading contest in Kinyarwanda. All 1,020 kids were present, and there is room for more. I am told the next assembly will be in French. Kinyarwanda, French and English are taught in our primary school.

Visitor for May

Her name is Erin Friday.

Mama, Chantel, Pastor Yves and our kids welcomed our first visitor since Covid travel restrictions took place in March 2020. Now the Covid restrictions are lessened. Erin is from Wayne, Pennsylvania, USA.

A bit about Erin. Most importantly, she is a devoted wife and mother of three. Erin is a CPA and is CEO for the Thousand Hills Accounting in Rwanda and Main Line Accounting in the USA. She shared her love of Rwanda and her teaching ability and knowledge with the Urukundo Foundation administration.

Thousand Hills Accounting is committed to financial education, creating jobs and supporting businesses as part of Rwanda’s Vision 2050. We look forward to her return visit in October 2021.

Her visit concluded with a Fanta and ice cream party and a rousing foote ball (soccer) game.

Pastor Yves was the referee.

Delighted to do my first book signing.

Erin has the first autographed copy of my book. She brought her copy with her.

Her comment to me upon her arrival at Urukundo was: “Coming to Urukundo to get the book signed was just an excuse to meet you!”