October Newsletter

Hello, Everyone.

October has been an exciting month and was a very special month for me as I was a guest at the weddings of two of my great-granddaughters. They met a special young man who will come to Urukundo and teach art at Urukundo Learning Center.

His name is Jacob Staskowski. Jacob just graduated from Kutztown University in Pennsylvania with a degree in fine arts and a minor/concentration in art education. We welcome him as a volunteer at Urukundo Learning Center where he will work with our teachers and students. His introduction to Urukundo/Hope Made Real is through Pastor Sunny Stock of Christ Church McKeansburg in Pennsylvania. Pastor Sunny has been a volunteer at Urukundo in the past. Jacob will arrive at Urukundo in January.

First wedding

Oct. 3

This date found me in the state of Indiana for the wedding of my great-granddaughter, Elasha.

Dressed for wedding No. 1. Not bad for 90.

Elasha, a very beautiful bride.

Good-looking family of the bride. Grandfather Ted (my son), Groom Luke, Bride Elasha, Dad Doug and Mom Lori.

Traveling with good drivers Patricia and Jacque. They drove and I slept.

Back in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Oct. 4

Special appearance at Mission Sunday project at Hebron Church in Penn Hills, near Pittsburgh.

People learned about Urukundo.

Bruce and Margie Krogh were my hosts for the Hebron project. Margie and Bruce were neighbors in Rwanda for several years before returning to the USA. We at Urukundo miss them.

Gathering of the Grove Bible study group. Sharing my book, “Hope Made Real: The Story of Mama Arlene and the Children of Urukundo.”

It was a fantastic event with an awesome group. The planner was Margie Krogh.

Another wedding

Oct. 10

Vermont is beautiful in the fall. The panorama of tree-covered mountains, exotic foliage and picturesque villages was a delight.

Chanel is a beautiful bride.

Left to right: Grandmother Barbara, Bride Chanel, Great Gram, Groom Jim and Mother Becki.

Four of my five children. I am so blessed. Here are Jacque, Jerry, Barbara and Patricia.

From Vermont to New York

My hostess in Buffalo, New York, was a delightful woman. Barbara Nelson and I spent many happy hours sharing stories and life experiences. It is my hope one day Barbara will come to Urukundo. Her many talents would be such an asset to Urukundo Learning Center.

At SUNY Buffalo State College, the audience was enthralled by speaker Sophia Veffer.

Sophia is a survivor of the Nazi campaign (Holocaust) that orchestrated the slaughter of more than six million European Jews during World War II. She is one of the few survivors of the Holocaust living today and is a very special woman.

Andrew Kahn is founder of the Anne Frank Project at Buffalo State College and a member of the Hope Made Real International Board of Directors.

I was honored to be a member of this panel. The discussion was centered on the Nazi Holocaust and the Rwandan genocide -- very different tragedies and in so many ways very similar.

At the podium

A restful day

Oct. 19

A pleasant break in my schedule. Natasha Dean, who visited Urukundo several years ago, and her baby girl Athena came to visit me in Pittsburgh.

What a delight!

Another familiar face

Oct. 23

A bit tired but so happy to be with Terry Masch, who flew in from Florida for a too short visit. Terry was one of the original members of the board of Hope Made Real.

State College churches

Oct. 24

A warm welcome from Pastor Greg Milinovich at St Paul's United Methodist Church in State College, Pennsylvania. We shared a mission moment with the congregation.

In the afternoon, sharing time was at Mount Nittany United Methodist Church, also in State College.

Mount Nittany UMC Pastor Chris Passante was gracious and accepted a copy of my book.

What a beautiful background!

Judy Geschwindner represented St Paul's UMC in our afternoon meeting.

Connie Cousins came from St John Lutheran Church in Bellefonte to hear an update about Urukundo. Connie has visited Urukundo several times.

Barb Stapleton attended this session representing McConnellstown UMC. This photo is of Barb when she visited Urukundo in 2016.

My age group

Oct. 25

Morning session

The Community Room at the Village at Penn State retirement community was the perfect place to be with senior citizens my own age. It was a great pleasure to meet, greet and share with this elite group.

Because I am one of them, I think older citizens are the greatest.

Nancy Gamble was our hostess. A delicious lunch was served with continued conversation.

Next stop: Kiwanis Club

Oct. 25

I spoke at an evening session of the State College Kiwanis Club.

Ready to listen and share.

Penn State Circle K is a collegiate service organization sponsored by Kiwanis International.

Penn State University students and me: James Hanagan, Paige MacConnell, Ban Nguyen and Dylan Freeman.

Joining me were Jerry Wettstone, Jeff Seamans, Jane Wettstone and Kathryn Mackes.

September 2021 Newsletter

The September newsletter actually starts the last week in August.

If you recall from last month, Marie Claire Cyuzuzo invited me to her wedding. Marie Claire Cyuzuz excelled in our first graduating class from the Sewing Center in 2015.

Her dowry would be held at Urukundo’s Hopemadereal House.

Marie Claire’s dowry was the first community celebration to be held at Hopemadereal House. It was a big success. I think the decorations were beautiful.

The groom and his family arrive.

It was an honor for Theresa Mukabanana, who is the head teacher at the Sewing Center, and myself to be present at her wedding. The bride and groom had a gift for me.

She was a lovely bride. Covid-19 restrictions were observed even in her wedding gown. Mask.

Worship

The Sunday before my departure for the USA was special. I attended the worship service. Many from the community came to bid me a safe journey.

Our dental tech Oliver said bye to Mama after worship.

Oswald and Claude follow suit.