Celebrations

February 2022 newsletter

Share the love month

The first visitors in Urukundo’s new residence were Margie and Bruce Krogh from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA. They are former residents of Kigali, Rwanda, and friends to Urukundo Village and Learning Center.

Arriving on a Saturday evening, Bruce was the logical speaker for the Sunday morning service. Divine (one of my university graduates) acted as a translator in both English and Kinyarwanda.

Divine and Bruce at the worship service.

The women’s choir sang and danced praises.

Pastor Yves and Bruce served communion.

The congregation was so pleased to have these special visitors.

On Monday, the Kroghs visited the school.

Margie and Bruce got acquainted with new headmaster Viateur.

Visiting the classrooms was on the agenda.

Witnessing a reading group in the library proved to be a special event.

Margie's passion is the music program at Urukundo Learning Center. She has long been a monthly contributor supporting music for kids.

Emmanuel, head of the music program, gives Margie some pointers.

The violin section and the chorus entertained our guests.

Not to be outdone, the guitars, the drums and keyboards joined in. They presented quite a concert.

Truly it was the highlight of Margie’s visit.

I was so excited to see them when they came that I forgot the camera. No incoming photo. I decided to get a photo as they were leaving after their visit. OK, so it is a bit in reverse. Not the usual. They have promised to return before going back to the USA. I look forward to that visit.

Homecoming

Time to fly home

Now it is time for another covid test. Yep, I am still negative. I can fly home.

In all, 18 suitcases flew with me. Seventeen made it on Dec. 6. Suitcase No. 18 arrived on Dec. 13 intact. Just seven days late. We are blessed that it arrived.

After a day in a Kigali hotel waiting for negative covid results, I finally reached home. What a welcome! Village staff, teachers, pastor and administrators joined the little kids.

The kitchen crew and several of the cleaners joined in the welcome.

Artwork by my kids. This poster hangs in my bedroom. Love it.

More employee visitors

Teachers gathered in my living room. There were so many in my living room that it takes two photos.

I needed a group photo with the teachers. What a wonderful group! Such talent!

Awards Day

Awards Day at Urukundo Learning Center also was Dec. 3.

Auditorium packed to overflowing. So awesome!

Our music program continues to grow. Young musicians are appreciated.

Achieving success is encouraged. Doing your best is our criteria.

End of the first term of 2021-22 achievement awards.

We are very proud of our students and our teachers who lead the way. Here are some of the awards:

Parent Committee President Nsekuye Basile gave an award to Isingizwe Happy Vanessa in P5.

Dean of Studies Niyonshima Theogene gave an award to Mugisha Mucyo Samuel in P4.

School secretary Adeline Mutuyimana gave an award to Akariza Giramata Soumaya in P5.

Teacher Dushime Nshimiyimana Remy Paul gave an award to Irakoze Karabo Noella in P6.

We are very proud of our students and our teachers who lead the way.

Christmas

On Dec. 22, all 103 employees received a Christmas bonus and their children under 12 years old received a package of gifts.

Dec. 23 was a rainy day. The children came to share Christmas at Urukundo Village. We are so blessed.

COVID would not allow for a party, but with masks in place, the children came to our gate.

All ages were present.

The rain did not dampen the spirit of Christmas as we shared love, cookies and lollipops. More than 700 children received treats. Thank you all for helping with the sweet treats for kids.

Christmas Day worship

It was our pleasure to gift each worshiper with a packet of cookies.

Both youth and adult choirs were present for this Christmas Day service

Eighty-six attended the special Christmas worship service.

Kids return for Christmas

The blessings of Christmas are our children returning for the day. Because of COVID, distances and jobs, all the kids could not make it home. I am thankful for those who did.

University kids: Cecelia, Lucia, Bosco, Esperance, Abbias, Belize, Olivier and Giselle.

University, secondary and primary kids: Secondary students Claude, John and Lucky in the back row. Primary students Claudine, Benita, Soso, Joyce, Diane (end girl in white dress) in the back row.

Wonderful to have all with me for Christmas!

Practical gifts were given for the university students. The gifts were packets of cookies and sweets; masks; pens; toilet paper; soap for washing clothes; body soap; toothpaste; and toothbrushes. For the boys, there also were a shirt and nail clippers. For the girls, there were scarves and nail polish.

The younger children received packets of cookies and sweets, school supplies and clothing. The boys also received a watch and the girls a necklace.

After the gifts, a delicious noontime meal was served to all. What a wonderful day!

Thank you all for the gift of giving. Your gifts made Christmas special for the Urukundo Foundation and the Muhanga community.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

I hope your Christmas was a special event and your New Year is filled with all the good things in life.

Remember always: With God, all things are possible.

Be well and prosper.

Mama