March Newsletter

The storms have stopped. For how long we are not sure. The weather pattern in Rwanda has changed, so we don’t know what to expect anymore.

National Board meeting

With pleasure, we welcomed the National Board of Directors of Urukundo Foundation at its annual board meeting.

Our president, Oswalde Ruremesha, presented the accomplishments completed in 2021, and the hopes and goals for 2022. Those goals include two preschool classrooms, moving the dental clinic to the new location nearer the road, adding orthodontia to the dental service and refurbishing the kitchen. Big goals. Funding needed. God in charge.

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.

New headmaster

The New Year has started off with changes at Urukundo Learning Center.

It is with regret and best wishes that Urukundo bids farewell to Headmaster Irene Dushimimana as he moves on to another position, advancing in his career of choice.

We welcome the new headmaster and his administrative staff: Dean of Education Theogene Niyonshima, Dean of Discipline Anuirite Mukeshimana, Headmaster Viateur Ngiruwonsanga and Secretary Adeline Mutuyimama.

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.