New school year

The school year started Jan. 14. Urukundo Learning Center enrolled 864 students.

Urukundo Home’s children ready and prepared.

Egide, Claudine, John, David, Joyce, Soso and Diane. Super kids.

Claude, Luki and Aline started secondary school. Claude and Luki are at St. Bernadette Secondary School, about 30 minutes travel time from home.

Boys on campus.

On way to dorm.

Long walk. Mama followed in car.

Aline at her new school.

Students, Have mattress, will travel.

Aline in school uniform and waiting for room assignment.

Diescor's visit

Our medical student, Diescor Kirenga, is serving an internship at the University Teaching Hospital of Butare. He is a student at the University of Gitwe School of Medicine. He did not make it home for the holiday. He did get home later, looking every bit the doctor modeling his Christmas gift.

Solange becomes a US citizen

Solange Nirere came to Urukundo in 2006. She was 12 years old. One of the first of my girls. She moved to McAllen, Texas, in 2012 for health reasons (asthma), finished high school and graduated from the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley in 2017 with a bachelor’s degree in political science. She is currently enrolled in its graduate program in political science. She expects to earn her master’s in political science in 2020. She is now 25 years old.

On Jan. 9, Solange took an oath and became an American citizen.

Solange and her best friend and lawyer, Ana Villegas, celebrate this momentous occasion.

So proud Solange is now an American.

Good news

Starting the new year, nine of our children remain in our home.

Three of them -- Claude, Aline and Luki -- are waiting for their national exam results and then will be going to secondary boarding school. They will return to Urukundo for school holidays. As is normal, we will share them with their families.

Claude, Aline and Luki.

David has been given permission from his foster family to stay home with us and attend Primary 6 here rather than disrupt his education in the last year of primary.

Of the children who have moved on to other families Jacob, Prince, Kevine, Banita and possible Rebekah will live close enough to be students at Urukundo Learning Center.

Graduation 2018

All non-graduating and graduate students gather at school for the parade to the foote ball field.

Students and graduates coming together.

Starting the parade to the site of graduation. Ready, set, go!

Kindergarten Graduates and the Preschool teacher, Erneste.

Primary 6 graduated, pictured with the Primary English teacher, Ignace.

Sewing Center Graduates with the teacher of tailoring, Desire.

Walking the distance from the Learning Center road to Mama’s gate.

Mama & Pastor Yves join the Kindergarten parade at Mama’s gate. We’re so happy that the road was completed before this event.

Primary 6 graduates, Mama and Pastor Yves.

Sewing Center, Mama & Pastor. The walkway beside Mama’s house leading into the compound from the main road.

Entering the Foote Ball field.

The Kindergarten is seated.

After seating the Kindergarten class the parade proceeds, with P6, Sewing Center & undergraduates arriving at the field.

Music Program and the New Music Director, Emmanuel

Recorders and flutes in the school P5 & P6 chorus.

Students show their skill on the violin, the bells, and the xylophone.

Drums.

The Director of Music struts his stuff. Good job.

The drum set we rented. Next year we hope to have our own.

P1 through P4 chorus.

Speakers for Graduation

Our Master of Ceremonies was Remy Paul Dushime, teacher of English.

The Headmaster of Urukundo Learning Center, Irene Dushimana.

The Vice President of the Parent-Teacher committee, Dilexi Birasa Aloys.

Our Guest of Honor was Valerie D Mukamutari, Exective Secretary of the Cyeza Sector.

Mama with Olive translating.

The speakers for Kindergarten Talia Ruremesha and Hope Bertha Isingizwe.

Talia gives Mama a hug.

Programs

The Cultural Dancing Club.

The girls in the National Cultural Dance group put on a great show!

The boys in the National Cultural Dance group.

Backing singers for the Cultural Dance group.

The Precision Marching group.

More marching.

French club.

Certificates

Benita receiving her certificate.

Emily receives her certificate. She’s now in Primary 1.

Jacob almost lost his hat but hangs on to his certificate!

Kindergarten.

Sewing Center. Certificates for all. So proud of them.

Although P6 graduated from Urukundo Learning Center, they will receive their certificates after the results of the National Exams.

Some of the non-graduating students who are participating in the graduation ceremony.