A gift that keeps on giving

Carol Falke, our Hope Made Real Board International president, is at work. Her love of books and the Urukundo Learning Center library reaches out to others who have like passion.

A book sponsorship was held at Park Forest Village United Methodist Church in State College, Pennsylvania, USA. Children and adults selected a book or two and wrote a message inside for Urukundo Learning Center’s children’s library.

Continuing in the spirit of Christmas giving, a book sponsorship was an event at Trinity Lutheran Church in State College. (L-R) Pastor Ron Miller, Vicar Ted Williams, Linda Leslie and Lacey Sheaffer represented the congregation in this worthy project. What better gifts than books to open young minds to new adventures?

Side note: Carol chooses appropriate books, and others sponsor the books chosen. She then ships them by UPS to the Urukundo Foundation. You can do your part as well. Help is always needed and appreciated to cover the cost of shipping.

School news

Secondary kids (junior high school) enjoyed time together during the January school break: Claude, Livine, Kenny, Kenilla, John, Sarah and Lucky.

Primary started the second term.

This month the competition was in math in grades 1-6 and science in grades 4-6.

I was honored to give out the awards.The science projects had to do with water and electricity. How we can purify water for drinking and how the earth recycles water to care for our environment and our bodies. Another group dealt with creating electricity using water power. Math needs some work, but the science projects were awesome.

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.

Back in Urukundo, life goes on.

Sept. 5

The need for two classrooms was urgent. Construction underway.

Oct. 11

Thanks to donations I received during September, the classrooms were built and ready for the 2021-22 school year

Exterior view of the two new classrooms completed.

Kids and teachers in the classroom Oct. 11 when the 2021-22 school year opened. Thank you for caring and providing the funds so needed.

Urukundo Learning Center

School year 2020-21 was ending. A reading competition for kids in P1-P3 took place.

Winners got balloons, books and lollipops.

School and day care

Thanks to Carol Falke, president of the Hope Made Real International Board, and those who support her ministry for Urukundo Learning Center, new books arrived for the new term which will start on Oct. 11.

Headmaster Irene Dushimimana inspects the books.

Teachers then come together to decide where the books are most needed according to the subject being taught.

Carol ships the books via UPS and can always use financial support to cover the shipping. We so need and appreciate the books.

USA trip

Now the journey begins. USA, here I come.

Jean Marie (acting director), Juliette (human resource), Eric (office secretary), Oswald (president of the national board), Olive (personal secretary), and Viatuer (Learning Center administrator).

The first leg on my journey to the USA. Administrative staff bidding farewell. Hey, the new pantsuit was a product of the sewing school.

Lucky, Claude, Divine and Aline also came to say, “Have a good trip Mama. See you in December.” Love those kids.

A beginning. Please travel with me on my journey.

First stop United Christian Parish in Reston, Virginia.

Pastor Marcus Leathers quizzes Mama about Urukundo and how hope is made real at Urukundo.

Next stop Pittsburgh

Lunch with my oldest grandson Christian and his lovely wife Sarah, What a day!!!

Two of my daughters, Jacque and Patricia. So happy to be spending some time with them.

Being pampered. Yep, getting my haircut and styled. How good can it get?

Book signing with these lovely ladies, members of Beacon Hill Book Club. They had all read the book and asked interesting questions. They were delightful.

Second book signing in Pittsburgh. Hosted by my daughter Patricia.

Moving on

Sept. 19 found me in Christ Church McKeansburg, Pennsylvania. Pastor Sunny Stock invited me to deliver the sermon, share time with the children and speak about my book and Urukundo at Sunday School. It was a full morning.

Pastor Sunny and husband John. Sunny and John were the host family when Lilliane, one of my girls, came to the USA for education.

What a wonderful day!

That evening, we met with the youth pastor Mark Shellhamer, his wife Jane and several of the youth. Pizza for all. Jane has visited Urukundo.

On the road again

Sept. 20 found me on the way to Philadelphia.

Katie and Pierce Keating and their son Luke were my hosts. Hope for photos later. I need to remember I have a camera on my phone. Their daughter Katrina works with an NGO in Philly and invited me to accompany her to a community meeting. I was honored to take a small part in a “community unity” meeting. While there, I met this remarkable young man. He is a talented artist and promised to visit and share his love of art and of children. He will be most welcome.

Mama and Patrick, an artist with a future.

On to West Chester University for an evening of conversation and book signing.

The PowerPoint presentations are so helpful in telling the story.

Erin Friday was the host there.

Erin, a CPA and is CEO for the Thousand Hills Accounting in Rwanda and Main Line Accounting in the USA, is a frequent visitor to Rwanda.

Had my first visit to an Irish Pub. It was Kildare’s in West Chester. Wow! That was interesting. Proprietor Dane Gray joined us at our table.

Meeting a Rwandese gentleman in Philadelphia was an unexpected pleasure. Eric Sutera is in the USA on business. He actually came to hear me speak. I was honored. We had met in Rwanda earlier. It’s a small world.

Meeting with Jordan Schugar, an associate professor at West Chester University of Pennsylvania, and my hostess Erin before the presentation. Dreaming new dreams and setting new goals.

On the road to Lemoyne, Pennsylvania

Some of my family live in the Harrisburg area. Double the pleasure.

My daughter Barb and her husband John.

Great-grandson Nate.

Strong women. Three generations: my daughter Barbara, me and my granddaughter Becki.

I arrived the day after Pastor Jason Schwartzman of Grace United Methodist Lemoyne was ordained.

His wife Michelle and children, Dante and Jahnavi, were there to support him. I was honored to be the speaker in the worship service on that Sunday.

Sunday morning found me at Grace United Methodist Church in Lemoyne.

I spent the afternoon with Pastor Jason...

and Michelle.

I was blessed to have Dr. Linda Rhein from Florida, Ruth Cox from Carlisle, and Ruby and Jim Sosa from Maine make special trips to hear and share the story of Urukundo today. The day was full of surprises.

Another book signing and then on the road again, back to Pittsburgh.

Note from Mama

Visiting and sharing with friends and family in the USA.

A September I will long remember.

Looking forward to more adventures in October.

Mama

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.

USA itinerary of Mama Arlene Brown, Fall 2021

Wed., Sept. 1 Depart Kigali International Airport, Rwanda

Thurs., Sept. 2 Arrival from Rwanda in USA, Dulles International Airport in Dulles, VA.

Thurs., Sept. 2 Dinner and book signing in Reston, VA, 5 p.m. By invitation from Mary Jackson.

Fri., Sept. 3 Dinner and book reading in Reston, VA. 6 p.m. By invitation from Lloyd and Joellyn Kinzer.

Sun., Sept. 5 United Christian Parish, 11508 North Shore Drive, Reston, VA 20190. 10 a.m. service; 11 a.m. lunch and book reading (with Covid-19 protocols). Contact: Kathy Kelly, katkell400@comcast.net, 571-232-8830.

Sept. 7-18 TBD, Pittsburgh, PA. Contact: Patricia Brown, pdbrown@spiritworks.org, 412-999-1912.

Thurs., Sept. 9 Beacon Hill Book Club, Wilkinsburg, PA. By invitation only. Contact: Stephanie Carleton,calcium25@gmail.com.

Sun., Sept 12 Waverly Presbyterian Church, 590 S. Braddock Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15221. 11 a.m. reading as service begins. Contact: Pastor Caitlin Werth, pastor@waverlychurch.org, 412-242-0643.

Sun., Sept. 19 Christ Church McKeansburg, 6 S. Race St., New Ringgold, PA 17960. 8:45 and 10 a.m. morning worship speaker. Sunday School book reading and video. Contact: Pastor Sunny Stock, pastorsunny@verizon.net, 570-640-3078.

Wed., Sept. 22 To be announced. Contact: Erin Friday, efriday@thousandhillsaccounting.com, 484-919-0904.

Sun., Sept 26 Grace United Methodist Church, 309 Herman Ave, Lemoyne, PA 17043. 10 a.m. worship. Contact: Pastor Jason Schwartzman, office@graceumlemoyne.org, 717-763-7632.

Mon., Sept. 27 United Methodist Volunteers in Mission, book reading, location and time in Mechanicsburg to be announced. Contact: Michelle Schwartzman, VIM@susumc.org, 717-766-7441, ext. 3105.

Sun., Oct. 3 Hebron Church, 10460 Frankstown Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15235. 4 to 6 p.m. mission fair. Contact: Bruce Krogh, krogh@ece.cmu.edu.

Tues., Oct. 5 Wilkinsburg Rotary at James Flower Shoppe, 719 Wood Street, Wilkinsburg, PA 15221. 12:15 p.m. book talk. Contact: John Irwin, JCIrwin@aol.com, 412-680-1381.

Oct. 13-15 SUNY Buffalo State, NY. Contact: Eve Everette, assistant director, Anne Frank Project, everetec@buffalostate.edu, 716-713-2699, 713-878-5559.

Sun., Oct. 17 Brookville Presbyterian Church, 100 North White St., Brookville, PA 15825. 9 a.m. Sunday School meet-and-greet; 10 a.m. short talk in church service; luncheon. Contact: Vicki Mason, vam1955@comcast.net, 814-849-4626.

Wed., Oct 20 Forest Hills Rotary at Jodi B’s Restaurant, 2600 Ardmore Blvd, Forest Hills, PA 15221. 7 a.m. Contact: Bob Dove, drbobdove@aol.com, 412-867-5013.

Sun., Oct. 24 St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, 250 E. College Ave, State College, PA 16801. 10 a.m. mission moment, meet-and-greet for 30 minutes following the service.

Sun., Oct. 24 Mt. Nittany United Methodist Church, 1500 E. Branch Road, State College, PA 16801. Afternoon speaking engagement, including PowerPoint and book signing. Open to local churches and supporters.

Mon., Oct. 25 State College, PA. Book chat. Contact: Carol Falke for location and time, falkes248@gmail.com, (814) 321-1076.

Mon., Oct. 25 Kiwanis Club of State College, PA, location to be announced. 5:45 p.m.

Tues., Oct 26 State College Rotary, location to be announced. 5:30 p.m. book talk. Contact: Nandu Desai, 925-351-1074.

Wed., Oct. 27 Sunrise Rotary, Scholar Hotel, 205 E. Beaver Ave., State College, PA 16801. 7:15 a.m. Contact: Carol Baney, 814-404-9694.

Sat., Oct 30 “Home with Mary Ruth” book reading, 1 to 3 p.m. By invitation only.

Sun., Oct. 31 Phelps Chapel United Methodist Church, 68 Phelps Chapel Road, Jersey Shore, PA 17740. Presentation during 9 a.m. Sunday service. Contact: Donna Timblin, dtimblin@bigwoodslandco.com, 570-220-6448.

Tues., Nov. 2 WAWHO meeting (closed meeting), Moon & Raven Public House, Williamsport. 7:30 p.m. Contact: Maddi Dunlap, madwoman951@gmail.com, 570-916-3969.

Sun., Nov. 7 St. Paul Calvary United Methodist Church, 1427 Memorial Ave, Williamsport, PA 17701. 9:15 a.m. Sunday School book reading and conversation. Contact: Ann Runnels, arunnels@susumc.org, 570-322-5054.

Wed., Nov. 10 Friends Church, 137 S. Third St., Hughesville, PA 17737. Luncheon. Contact to register: Jeanne Willis, jtwillis1@comcast.net, 570-447-7486.

Sat., Nov. 13 St. John’s-Newberry United Methodist Church, 2101 Newberry St., Williamsport, PA 17701. 5:30 p.m. service. Contact: Pastor Lenora Hosier, lhosier@susumc.org, 570-326-5569.

Sun., Nov. 14 St. John’s-Newberry United Methodist Church, 2101 Newberry St., Williamsport, PA 17701. Services at 8:15 and 10:45 a.m. Contact: Pastor Lenora Hosier, lhosier@susumc.org, 570-326-5569.

Nov. 15-19 International Education Week, University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB) Center for Global Engagement with University of Maryland School of Dentistry and the UMB Office of Global Health. Meetings with UMB's schools of dentistry, nursing and medicine. Contact: Valli Meeks: valli.meeks@gmail.com, 484-919-0904.

Sun., Nov. 21 Crossroads Church, 1454 PA-44, Jersey Shore, PA 17740. Update during 10 a.m. Sunday service. Also a display table and meet-and greet. Contact: George Morton, gjmorton@comcast.net, 570-220-3621.

Sun., Dec. 5 Depart USA for Rwanda

A note from Mama

These two men believed in education.

Nelson Mandela:

“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.”

Benjamin Franklin:

“An investment in knowledge pays the best interest.”

My sentiments exactly. Amazing. These two very wise men agree with me. Wow.

Mama

Urukundo’s outreach

It is with great pleasure that we share with you that the Urukundo Learning Center technical school was selected by the government to participate in the government’s program to help poor families earn an income by providing technical training to a family member in order to work toward a better life.

Our technical school is the Sewing Center. We have 54 students enrolled in the new sewing program. This program will last for three months and includes teaching materials and a nourishing lunch. Those with young babies can make use of the day care for free.

Our three teachers (standing) are up to the challenge. The government is contributing an amount for each of the 54 students. Urukundo is paying the balance of the cost.