Library expanded

Expansion at the library is complete. We thank our donors, especially the Keating family for making this possible. The building expansion was from the Keatings. The table and chairs were from the Keatings and the African International Club (AIC). Books and activities for the kids were from various donors. Thanks much to everyone.

The photos show the improvements.

New tables and chairs in adult study area

Beautiful ceiling. Complete with lighting from ceiling and fresh air.

There is room for 30 or more students. This is a great study area for older P6 kids preparing for National Exams.

Reading room

Build it. Creative activity room.

Builders in creative activity room

On the walls, we used cultural art.

Dung art

Dung art is native to the area. It is made of cow dung and ash and painted with natural pigments. This tradition dates to the 18th century.

Baskets and pictures of dancers are traditional art.

Imagine such animals in your backyard! Awesome.

Animals and birds of Rwanda. These can be seen in Akagera National Park in their own environment.

Our library is much improved.

Sewing Center completed

The completed addition to the Sewing Center classroom makes a great building.

Front view of Sewing Center, which is a school of technology for sewing. When funds become available, the stones in front will be covered by cement. All in good time. These stones also help control mudslides on our property, especially where new construction has taken place and the ground is soft.

Rear view. Notice the storm clouds moving in.

More cement work to be done. Cement is US$10 a bag.

Inside classroom

Funds were raised for 45 desk-chair combinations. We thank all who picked up the challenge, and now every student will be comfortable attending class in January.

The room already is a blessing. We will find many uses for this room. At present, it is being used to prepare for graduation. Gowns are kept in storage each year to be used the next year. This is the first year we were able to wash, iron and hang the gowns, thanks to having the new classroom available. It makes graduation easier on the staff. Working ahead is good.

All graduates came to the room to be measured and fitted for a gown. Their name was attached to the gown that fit, and the gowns are arranged in alphabetical order by first name. This will make it easier to distribute the gowns the day before the ceremony.

Later, the room will be used to measure and fit new students enrolling in the 2020 year. It is so wonderful to have space to work that does not disrupt classes.

Sewing Desks

Ever wonder what you can do to help?

Here’s a thought:

A great way is to support the Urukundo Sewing Center. A big help with a small gift.

We have a Sewing Center classroom nearly ready to start the new school year in 2020. We have no desks or chairs.

Yes, we need chairs for our students to sit on. These students are young adults.

The chair we wish to purchase is one with a side desk, thus saving on buying both a desk and chair. Economically, this is the best buy at US$30 each. We find if we were to buy a desk and chair separately, the cost would be US$60 for the two pieces. We try to save where we can. The metal frame will hold up better, and wood parts can be replaced, keeping the cost down. The chair is made here by our local vendor, so we help not only our economy but the economy in our district.

Donations can be sent to

Hope Made Real

Box 3222

Williamsport, Pa.

17701

or

Use the “donate now” button on the website, www.hopemadereal.org.

Thank you all for the generous donations.

Mama

Dental news

The new handheld, portable X-ray machine has arrived. It was purchased with money raised on my USA trip. Now the puzzle is reading the directions and having a workable X-ray machine.

Oliver, our dental technician, opening the satchel holding the X-ray machine. What a sight to behold!

Can it be? Yes, it really is.

A very happy moment. This is another hope made real.

Four heads are better than one. So they say.

Test run. Aprons in place.

May 2019 Newsletter

Successful fundraiser

Here it is the end of May. What an exciting month it has been!

Now on my mind is going home to Urukundo.

Of course, the last week in April has to be in the May newsletter. That last week in April saw the “Bridging Pittsburgh to Rwanda” fund-raising event.

Here are members of the bridge team plus two Urukundo siblings, Tresor and Solange, and myself. Awesome group. The three of us told the crowd about Urukundo.

The celebration included a get-acquainted event.

Jewelry and crafts from Urukundo Village were for sale.

The event was well organized and went very well. Everyone had a good time, and funds were raised for the Urukundo Foundation/Hope Made Real.

Funds were raised, but it wasn’t enough to finish building much needed classrooms for the elementary school. However, it was more than enough to pay for a much needed, handheld portable X-ray machine for the Dental Clinic.

MaxRay handheld portable X-ray

Included with the machine are the charger, battery, strap/holster, premium sensor and software.

This is very good news.

Urukundo Dental Clinic wishes to thank Vector R&D Inc., Dr. Richard Reckmeyer and the many others who made this acquisition possible.

Developments at Urukundo

Donations received on this trip allowed for the now-in-progress expansion of the library. Pierce and Katie Keating presented the gift for the library expansion. Thanks to the Keating family, Diane Mastrull and other Philadelphia area friends for helping to raise money for Urukundo. If you have not read the article written by Diane in the Philadelphia inquirer published May 1, please check it out on the web.

Large annex added.

April 2019 Newsletter

Visit to the USA

What a wonderful welcome I have received!

First off, I was treated to a pedicure, manicure and a new hairdo. A gift from my daughter, Patricia, and her husband, Dale Bauman.

What do you think? A bit different. Should it stay?

I saw many special people in my first month and a half in the USA. Here are some of them in some kind of order by location.

Early in my travels, I was hosted by the Waverly Presbyterian Church mission team in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

What a wonderful evening I spent bringing them up to date on Urukundo and the Urukundo kids!

In State College, Pennsylvania, I saw Carol Falke, president of the Hope Made Real International Board.

Carol and Mama and the ice cream challenge. How awesome, and mine is vanilla, my favorite.

The creamery at the Penn State University campus has the best ice cream ever. What a treat after Carol and her husband Steve gave me a personal tour of the campus! My first time ever.

More friends for Urukundo kids were at an open house at Carol’s home.

Joan Zimmer and Janet Madore in State College

Jerry Brown of South Williamsport, Pennsylvania

My son Jerry. He was such a reliable source of transport and lodging during my time in the Williamsport area. Jerry also serves Urukundo as the chair of Hope Made Real International Board.

Jeanne Willis of Hughesville, Pennsylvania

My children in Rwanda remember Jeanne Willis. Jeanne has been a volunteer at Urukundo Village and is loved by the children.

Sherry Sechrist of Quiggleville, Pennsylvania

My youngest sister. It was so good to touch base and spend a little time with her.

Darrel Bietz of West Chester, Pennsylvania

My nephew, Darrel Bietz. It was a pleasant surprise to see and spend a short time with him.

More of my family, this time in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.

Great-granddaughter Haleigh Moore, daughter Barbara Downs and great-grandson Nate Moore.

I then traveled to the Philadelphia area where I was hosted and toasted by Diane Mastrull, reporter for the Philadelphia Inquirer and a good friend to Urukundo.

This is Pierce Keating. He has promised to visit Urukundo in the future. Holding you to that promise, my friend.

Katie Keating, who is Pierce’s wife, is the mom in this great family. Really Katie is a powerhouse full of love and compassion. Katie and her daughter Katrina have been volunteers at Urukundo.

What an awesome couple and lovely family!

Development in progress

Thanks to the Keatings, expansion at the library is in progress.

Tearing down and building up. Deluxe ladder, super scaffolding. Librarian Irene inspecting work in progress.

Sewing machines a blessing

Sewing machines needed. Sewing machines given. Machines purchased and placed into service.

I am counting my many blessings.

The Urukundo Sewing Center and its students benefit from this gift.