Sports

Urukundo Learning Center’s girls’ volleyball team is the winner of the district championship.

Short note on the Interschool Competitions for 2021-22:

Every academic year, the Rwanda Federation of Sports in Schools organizes competitions in schools from the sector to the national level in games such as soccer, volleyball, basketball, handball, and netball.

Urukundo Learning Center participates in both girls and boys teams in soccer, basketball and volleyball.

This year, the girls’ volleyball team beat various local schools and qualified to represent our district (Muhanga). They will face other teams from different districts, and we hope they will do well and win a trophy.

The girls were the winners in the district competition and now move on to the nationals.

Mama congratulated the girls’ team with Fanta and cookies.

April newsletter

April came in with many pleasant surprises in store at Urukundo Village and Learning Center.

Leading off with Palm Sunday.

Kids in the lead. Singing “Hosanna.”

Waving palms and walking to worship as a group on Palm Sunday has become a tradition for the Urukundo Worship Center. Looking forward to Easter.

Our focus on Easter Sunday was children.

We are so blessed.

International Women's Day in Rwanda

My living room and beautiful women. On March 8, we celebrated International Women's Day. We at Urukundo gathered as strong women with a purpose.

Perfect time for all women employees to tour the new residence and enjoy each other and refreshments.

Women's Day sure is special.

Urukundo celebrates the 49 women who serve in many capacities. In administration, there are six including me. Of the eight managers, six are women. Of the 34 teachers, 18 are women. Our maintenance crew adds 19 women to the list as day workers.

We are indeed women building a future.

After sambusa and Fanta, each woman received a bar of my favorite soap. That soap is Dove. We are sure Dove soap will make us all even more beautiful.

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.

One use of Hopemadereal House.

Decorations in Hopemadereal House. The beauty of a Rwandan wedding.

Christmas wedding

Early January wedding reception.

Same setting two weeks later, different wedding

Beautiful wedding reception at so little cost. Awesome.

91st birthday in Pittsburgh

In those seven days, there was an early celebration of my 91st birthday.

Great-granddaughter Lucia and her dad Christian help light the candles.

So great to celebrate with family!

University grads

In the meantime, in Rwanda, life goes on.

We are proud of our new graduates from the university.

Eric Bakinahe, staff secretary, graduated from the University of Kigali on Dec. 3.

Deborah graduated from the University of Kigali on Dec. 3.

Pacifica (Dada) graduated from University of Kigali on Dec. 3.

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.