Notice

I am told If a check is sent to the PO Box in Philadelphia it will be held for six months before being forwarded to the Williamsport PO Box.

For anyone who has sent money to the Philadelphia address : if you have not received a receipt from our Treasurer, John Green, please contact him (john@hopemadereal.org) and he will advise what is best to do.

Greetings from Mama Arlene in Rwanda for March 2010

The time is drawing near for my trip to the United States to see all of you. I am excited. Even though it is three months away, already we are making preparations for my time away from home. Todd and Andria Ellingson from Arizona are scheduled to come beforehand to train so that they will be the managers in my absence.

There is one need that I must bring to all of you my friends. As you know, in Rwanda I do not use any of the money you send for the children for any of my expenses or travel. Instead I live on (and share) my pension. Therefore there is not much left for my air travel expenses to and from and while I am in the United States. Approaching 80, I no longer drive so I will also need friends and supporters who can transport me to and from places and people I need to meet and visit with. I look forward to seeing so many of you, both individuals and churches as well as the school who have prayed for me these many years. If you are able to help me with my travel, either with funds or with your vehicle please let me know. Any funds sent should be designated as “TRAVEL FUNDS”.

Greetings from Mama Arlene in Rwanda for February 2010

The news for February from Urukundo is exciting. Grades are out and our kids were all promoted.

Our 'oldest kid' finished Senior High. This graduation is very special.

John Kayitare, Papa John to the kids and my Executive Administrator, at the age of 35 has graduated from Senior 6 (12th grade in America). Yes, after being out of school for 15 years, John opted to finish Secondary School in order to better serve Urukundo Foundation and to provide a brighter future for himself and his family. He had to start in Senior 5, but he completed two years of school in twelve months whilst doing his best to serve Urukundo at the same time. Not an easy task. This took a lot of courage and dedication on his part.

John finished his National exams graduating with distinction. Quite an accomplishment for an "old man".

Quite honestly, the kids announced upon hearing the news, "we didn't think he could do it!" But he did, "praise God."

Thanks especially to Carrie Schwartz from Piney Flats, TN, who believed in John and wanted to help Urukundo. Carrie provided the funds while Urukundo provided the time necessary. There have been many times when school and Urukundo clashed. Times when both John and I wondered if we had made the right decision. God in Charge.

When John came to volunteer at Urukundo, he had no job and his family were in bad living conditions. He could not provide for them. His faith was strong and he felt called to be a part of this Ministry. So in January 2007, John and his family became a part of our Urukundo family. Much of our success here is because of his hard work. I am grateful that God placed him in our lives just when the need was greatest.

Congratulations John.

Food for Thought

This month reality set in. Our statement to you, our donors, has been: "every cent you send goes directly to the Ministry in Rwanda."

This needs to change. Our statement must now read: "every cent you donate, except for the PayPal transaction fee, is sent directly to the Ministry in Rwanda."

We have no administration fees but Paypal does take a percentage of your gift. We appreciate the technology that allows our donors to use this service, but it does come at a price.

There is no added cost with a personal check aside from the postage you pay. Our address for check donations is:

Hope Made Real
Arlene D Brown
PO Box 3222
Williamsport Pa 17701

Please consider sending your gifts this way, and I can assure you that "every cent you send by check goes directly to the Ministry in Rwanda."

Thank you for looking at this cost evaluation with me. What is best for you is also best for our work at Urukundo.

Into the world of Twitter

WOW, do I feel smart. You CAN teach an old dog or Mama new tricks.
twitter name: arlenebrownmama

Runners Beware!

Running on the mountain is a wonderful experience but can prove hazardous to your health. Check with Jessica. A sprained ankle from stepping in a hole slowed her down - but not for long.
Well, it did give her a rest. The ankle is better and she is "back to work as usual".

Tragedy and Sadness

Sudden death is difficult and the death of Julie's father was tragic. We shared her sorrow. He had not been ill, but death removed him from his family. Julie is the youngest in her family and was the first Mama to come as a volunteer to care for our girls in 2006. She has remained with us and is a source of strength for our children. She is loved by all.

Our love was shown to Juliette as 23 of our children, 5 staff and myself traveled in a rickety mini bus for two hours over impossible roads and log bridges. We then climbed down a steep mountain and up another on foot to be there with her as her family at Urukundo. We are blessed that the Lord Jesus has placed her in our lives.



Wooden box lowered into the grave site in the back yard of the home of the family.



Julie's mother placing a handful of earth on her husbands grave.

Greetings from Mama Arlene for December, 2009

Christmas was fun for the children, but I came down with a severe cold and chest congestion the day before Christmas and of course kept pushing with everything that had to be done. I accompanied Pastor Sharon and Tom to the airport Christmas day and took part in a Board meeting for the Urukundo Foundation on Saturday closing out the year and then my body said enough. Two days after Christmas it decided I needed a rest and the staff put me to bed. The kids have been great, making sure I have food and drink and letting me rest, but colds have to run their course and recovery is slower that I would like. I am on the mend and expect to be back in full gear today or maybe tomorrow.
I have received many wonderful Christmas greetings from friends and family this month along with pictures and I appreciate all of them. It helps me feel closer to home and knowing I am loved is very important.

Special Notice

Earth Class Mail was a great idea, but we forgot to take into consideration the handicap of the internet system in Rwanda. Power is not dependable and no power means no internet. Waiting 20 minutes to scan each piece of mail and a further 20 minutes to open the scanned mail, only to find out it did not detect the check because it scanned it sideways was not ideal! Trying to get the mail sorted on my own was not an easy task and so I am admitting defeat and we will go back to the old snail mail process.
The address will still be a post office box but not in Philadelphia. It will be in Williamsport, which was the place of our origin.
The new address is:

Hope Made Real
Arlene D Brown
PO Box 3222
Williamsport Pa 17701