When you read this newsletter, I will be in the USA.
As I journey forth to share the story of Urukundo, it is my hope that hearts will open and our goals will be achieved. One of those goals is to have a Sports House (gymnasium) for the Urukundo Learning Center. Can you help make it happen?
Reminder:
Donations can be sent to
Hope Made Real
PO Box 3222
Williamsport, PA 17701
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
If you have not heard, I am happy to announce that I am coming to the U.S. on Sept. 2 and will be in the U.S. through the first week of December. During this time, I’m looking forward to meeting with family and friends in their homes or meeting spaces to give a book talk on my newly published book, “Hope Made Real: The Story of Mama Arlene and the Children of Urukundo.”
A book talk is a short, informal presentation that engages the listeners to enter into the fun, suspense, and adventures of myself and the children. I would love to share my story. A conversational question-and-answer time follows. I hope that long-time supporters will gain deeper insights into my life and the development of the foundation. Those new to Urukundo will have their curiosity ignited. The aim is for everyone to be challenged and empowered to live their best life.
In addition, I welcome the opportunity to take part in your Sunday morning services to share Urukundo and its story of love.
I also am available to come as a guest speaker at your event. Together we can plan a presentation that best suits your audience.
Copies of the paperback book can be mailed directly at cost from Amazon or Book Baby through Mama Arlene’s account to be billed directly to those hosting. Contact her daughter, Patricia D. Brown, for the account information.
To submit your request, please contact Patricia D. Brown, 412-999-1912, pdbrown@spiritworks.org or www.spiritworks.org.
Get your request in ASAP. Mama
June 26th
Because of the addition of more guest rooms as well as laundry and utility space to the new residence for Mama and any future director of Urukundo, the cost has changed by US$15,000. Building a separate guest house would have more than doubled the cost.
Friends and family have paid for the construction of Mama’s house, and Urukundo hopes to cover the additional cost. For now, construction is on hold pending further donations to Hope Made Real for this construction. Funding is needed.
Donations can be sent to:
Hope Made Real
P.O. Box 3222
Williamsport, PA 17701
Thank you. Mama
I hope you recall that some time ago my home was invaded by thieves. My bedroom was targeted. It was a shock to me to realize I was not safe in my own home. It also was very disturbing to my family. They decided I need to be away from the main road, my present location, and in the center of the compound where it would be harder for intruders to be a threat. They decided to do something about it and contacted family members and family friends with a plea to help build a safer residence for me.
This is the letter my daughter Patricia wrote and sent out to family members and many friends.
I share it now with you:
I’m writing to you because Mama needs a house. Turning 90, Mama Arlene finally admits (sort of) that she may be getting a bit older.
As you know, Urukundo is built upon the side of a large hillside on three plateaus:
The Lower Plateau -- the main road and Mama’s present residence
The Middle Plateau -- the school, dining hall and activity center, and business offices
The Upper Plateau -- the farm and animals
Mama can no longer safely climb the steep hillside without assistance, and even then, once a day is laborious, leaving her out of breath at a high altitude. I can tell you, she is not happy not being in the middle of all the daily activities of the campus.
In addition, her present residence, located just inside the gate on the main road, leaves her vulnerable to intruders. Only a couple of months ago robbers broke in while Mama was asleep.
With your help, a new home, constructed for the present needs of Mama and for the coming decade, could be built on level land of the middle plateau. The estimated cost is $40,000, a small amount compared to comparable U.S. homes.
I am so grateful for my family’s concern and I thank everyone who stepped up and helped make it happen. Again, I say thank you to all.
Construction of a new residence began on March 19 and continues today. It is my hope construction will be completed in June. It will be not only a new residence for Mama Arlene and any future director of Urukundo Foundation but will have four guest rooms to welcome volunteers and visitors.
The design of Mama Arlene’s new home is a tribute to Rwandan history and culture. The photo shows the beehive-shaped King’s Palace Museum, which is a reconstruction of the 19th century traditional royal residence. The palace is located in the Nyanza District, Southern Province, 88 kilometers from the City of Kigali.
Now I share the progress to date with you.
March 19, preparation began. Clearing and leveling.
The location is in the field next to Hope House.
March 26, layout for the foundation and rooms. This layout also includes four guest rooms with baths.
April 5, outside walls. A structure has begun.
May 5, reaching for the sky.
A three-week delay took place as we waited for the metal sheets to arrive for the roof.The June newsletter will report on construction in progress. I am hoping for a July move-in date.
Urukundo Learning Center has a very active sports program.
We need shoes for our soccer kids. Sizes to fit kids ages 8 to 14 years old. New or used accepted. Thank you.
The postal service is working again.
Mailing address:
Urukundo Foundation
BP 179 Muhanga
South Province
Rwanda, Africa
The January newsletter comes to you in February, so I send this message to those who share my love for Urukundo and the love it brings.
February is the Love Month. Urukundo, which means “love” in kinyarwanda, is the name of the foundation created by love. What better gift to give to your Valentine than the story of love, the book “Hope Made Real: The Story of Mama Arlene and the Children of Urukundo.” It was written by Mama Arlene. Share the love with those you love and help the children at Urukundo Home for Children and Learning Center.
All proceeds go to the Urukundo Foundation. The amount is greatest when the book is purchased through BookBaby, which has paperback and ebook (AZW, EPub and PDF) editions.
The book also is available from other booksellers. The book is available in both paperback and Kindle versions on Amazon.
The book also can be purchased from Barnes & Noble in paperback and NOOK formats.
Share the love. Purchase the book.
Our Mama & Baby Outreach needs help. It is no longer possible to get newborn items to Urukundo in suitcases because of travel restrictions due to the coronavirus. The virus has not stopped the birth of newborns and their need for help. The need did not go away.
I am trying to think of a way for you to continue helping. I remember how women at Faxon-Kenmar United Methodist Church in Williamsport, PA, USA, had a baby shower for the mamas and babies. Those shower gifts kept us able to care for the babies for months. Our supply soon will be finished. Our shelves are bare.
Baby clothes can be purchased in Kigali City. Funding is needed. Are you willing to help?
My thoughts: How about a baby shower for Urukundo? Is it possible? This is a baby shower in a new way. Choose a hostess for the shower. Go price shopping as the main event. Enjoy looking at the precious baby clothes. Decide what gifts you would purchase if you were making a purchase. Then write down the price. Add to that price what a card, paper and ribbon to wrap the gift would cost.Then make a donation of at least half of that amount or whatever amount you wish to share.
The hostess will designate a week or month to have the shower. At the end of that time, she will send the funds donated to Hope Made Real, P.O. Box 3222, Williamsport, PA 17701. Designate the donation for Mama & Baby shower.
Gifts to look at are disposable diapers, onesies, undershirts, receiving blankets, sweater sets, dresses, boys sets, any newborn garments. Well, you get the idea.
That is my idea. If you have a better one, feel free to share it with others or go with it.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Slowly by slowly (Rwandan term), the dining room is becoming a Hope Made Real.
Spaces for doors and windows are now visible. Long way to go to completion. It will be such a blessing, especially with the virus requiring distancing in the dining room.
This photo shows the location between the offices on the left and the kitchen, with the blue roof, on the right. Someday, a new kitchen with propane gas for cooking will replace this one. Hey, hope springs eternal. This area was where the sunflowers grew last growing season.
