A gentle reminder as you begin the New Year:
Having a goal and striving to reach it is a must.
Every child deserves the opportunity to set such a goal.
Providing education is a step in the right direction.
Help give hope where hope is essential.
Mama
Improvements on the Urukundo campus
We had many improvements in the last year.
Communications
A big improvement was Wi-Fi was installed to cover the school, dental clinic and all of Urukundo Village. The village includes the business offices, farm office, pastor’s office, guest houses and Mama’s house
Protection
Lightning arrestors were installed on the school grounds, including the play area and the entire campus.
The football (soccer) field was filled and leveled, making it a safer play area for the school children.
Transportation
A second big school bus was purchased in January 2019. With earned income from the buses, we now have enough to purchase a third big bus. We have sold the minibus and are applying that money to the purchase of the third big bus. The minibus is too small for the number of children needing transportation at this time. It was a great starter bus, but it has outlived its purpose. Not enough seats.
Good looking bus. In service on January 29, 2020.
It is good to know the profit from the vehicles improves our ability to supply safe transportation for more children.
Sewing Center
Twenty-four sewing machines were purchased and added to the Urukundo Sewing Center.
A classroom large enough for the Sewing Center was built and desk-chair combinations were purchased for student use.
Library
A new extension was added to the school library.
The library now has space, tables, chairs and electrical outlets for computer classes and can accommodate older children and adults.
Yes, it was a very good year.
Urukundo’s purpose
Urukundo decided that, because of a lack of necessary funding, construction on the school would stop at least for now. It seemed like a good idea. It was for Urukundo but not for a community in need.
There is more than one way to be a good neighbor and part of the community. Need is always present, and charity is not wanted. People want to work and earn some money, especially at Christmastime.
What could Urukundo do to help? Our field needed to be cleared and leveled. That would benefit our Learning Center and the community.
Thanks to faithful donors, we were able to have a work day, and 17 families with no income earned a little money. Their children’s Christmas was brighter. Food is essential.
Now Urukundo has land cleared for the next project in our future. That project is construction of four more classrooms needed for the primary school.
We are blessed, and it is so important we pass the blessing along. Hope you all had a great Christmas.
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.