No visitors this June,
June is bursting out all over. Summer is upon us. This usually is the month for visitors. There are no visitors this June. We miss the visitors from the SUNY Buffalo State College and the School of Dentistry at the University of Maryland, Baltimore. It is my prayer next June will be minus the coronavirus.
Necessary maintenance
It is always good to be building new structures, but, like any home, there are times it becomes necessary to do repair work. Urukundo is no exception.
Protecting our neighbor and securing the land at the preschool became a big deal. With the heavy rains in the last months, we saw the bank with no retaining wall begin to collapse. Knowing the real danger of the bank collapsing in front of the preschool and doing great damage to our neighbors’ house, we decided maintenance was necessary. Steps to alleviate the problem took place. Retaining walls are so necessary in Rwanda.
Inspection tour or just a nosy old woman wanting to know what is going on. The work went well. The walk (exercise) is good for me.
It was not only necessary to build a new retaining wall, but the deterioration of the bank caused a brick wall to crack and no longer be safe. Repair was not possible. The wall had to be replaced, and a new gate was installed to replace a damaged one. In a short time, the wall would have been gone. A photo for you to see.
A view of where the wall and old gate have been removed.
New gate in place.
Replaced stronger and reinforced inside the wall and sliding gate. Looking good and protecting our school property, our kids and our neighbors. The shutdown was a good time to do this work at the school.
View of the finished wall at the entrance to the Urukundo Learning Center. It really is an improvement.
New gate and new sign. We are proud of our school and want all passersby to know we are here.
The Coronavirus and Urukundo
Our timetable for recovery has been a slow but steady one. Rwanda took steps very early in February to detect anyone coming into the country carrying this nasty virus. In March, the airport closed for all but a few flights coming in and going out. Kyle Jerro, an advisor to the board of Hope Made Real International, and Carol Falke,the board president, were able to catch two of the last flights out.
Kyle to the UK.
And Carol to the USA
On March 21, Urukundo went into lockdown with our university kids and Claude in secondary school coming home. All seven are still home waiting for the travel ban to be lifted. That is scheduled to happen June 1.
We remained in total lockdown until the middle of April when handing baby layettes out the gate for newborns became possible. But still in isolation.
May 1 was the first date for partial opening. At this time, travel was opened but only inside each province. Distancing is to be maintained, and masks must be worn in public.
Our sewing school made masks and distributed them in the compound and to neighbors
Our teacher Theresa models a mask.
No public transportation. Motos and bicycles could be used for transportation of merchandise but not people.
May 16 brought another change. We could now deliver baby gifts to the mamas at the birthing center, observing the center’s rules of conduct. Needed employees were allowed to come back to work. The daycare, church and school remained closed.
I remained in isolation until May 10. It was my delight to be able to walk the compound and on the road in front of my home, wearing a mask.
Divine’s dream
In case you have forgotten, Divine Uwonkunda has not given up her dream and her goal to be a pilot. I found this book in our Urukundo library, and it made me remember this girl and her ambition. If you want more information, please feel free to contact me. arlene@hopemadereal.org
Let's make it happen. Another Hope Made Real.
Photo dedicated to Divine and her dream.
Out and about
After being released from isolation, my first venture out was to visit the school and the project in progress. I was pleased at what I saw happening. It is good to know life goes on at Urukundo even if I am in isolation.
I was amazed at how liberating just the ability to walk to the school was. Such an adventure!
I take time to rest beneath a tree near the library. Still going strong, just a bit slower,
Thought for May
It is said April showers bring May flowers.
OK, so where are my sunflowers?
One is not enough to feed chickens.
Maybe next year.
Mama
Newsletter for April 2020
Celebrate April Fools’ Day, an American tradition
I remember as a child we looked forward to April 1, known as April Fools’ Day. That was a day when we played tricks on each other and shared a good laugh.
This April 1 was different. No joking matter. As we face an uncertain future, there is a need to share love and a smile with those who face this virus while trying to protect those we love, survive, and stay healthy and safe. No joking matter. Be serious.
Neighbors
Love your neighbor as yourself. Our neighbor is global. This is different from the time of my birth in 1930 when my neighbor lived next door.
In this time of global crisis, stay healthy and stay safe.
My best advice: Use common sense.
Appreciation
In order for our Urukundo family and 91 employees to care for their families during this troubled time, Hope Made Real and Urukundo felt it necessary to supply funding to meet the needs.
I am concerned for my employees living off campus and confined to home. Under normal circumstances, internal income would take care of wages for our employees, but these are not normal times. Internal income depends on the public. With a closed campus, the income is nearly non-existent.
I sent this concern to the Hope Made Real board and our donors.The need was met. The response was beyond my imagination. We had enough reserve to meet the payroll for March. Thanks to donors, April and May payrolls were met. I am so grateful. I am hopeful that things will be back to normal come June.
I am so grateful and thank those who reached down into their pockets and gave so that all will have the basics, including water, food, lodging and other necessities.
Thank you for caring and sharing.
Mama Arlene and the entire Urukundo Family
March 2020 Newsletter
March, March, March
Hey, we all march to a different drummer. My kids in the Urukundo Learning Center march to the tune, “We are marching in the light of God.”
The month of March has been a time of great joy and a time of deep sorrow. I share with you both.
Rwanda has not escaped the coronavirus. My message to family and friends abroad is the same as I share with my family and friends here in Rwanda. I urge you all to stay strong and remember to keep aware of the latest information on the pandemic. Protect yourself from contracting the virus by regularly and thoroughly washing your hands with soap and water and frequently using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer, if available, while maintaining social distancing.
You have heard all this before, and it is probably old hat, but it remains serious advice. Be safe, not sorry.
Much love, Mama
Diescor improving
I received good news from the USA about Diescor, who joined the Urukundo family in 2007 and was studying medicine in Rwanda when he took ill in December. Here’s the report:
“Diescor is doing really well. He’s still doing outpatient therapy, including occupational, physical and speech therapy. He’s walking better and better. He can walk short distances without a cane now, still limping. His arm is coming along slower, but they tell me that’s going to take longer. He’s got movement in his upper arm and bicep, and he can close his fingers into a fist with a lot of concentration. We’re continuing to work on that. His speech is getting quite a bit better. He’s using more and more sentences. Reading and writing are really difficult for him. He has trouble recognizing letters, so we’re working on that. He’s starting to read some shorter words.
“He’s continuing to improve every day, and it’s really encouraging.”
The joy of new treasures
Fifteen suitcases arrived at Kigali International Airport with two energetic, resourceful and awesome women. Carol Falke and Marilyn Ely are two amazing women.
Carol is president of the Hope Made Real International Board, which helps to support Urukundo. This is Carol’s 10th trip to Urukundo in as many years.
Marilyn is treasurer of the International Board and has been a part of Mama’s ministry since 1996. This is her seventh trip to Urukundo Village and Learning Center.
Now here are some of the treasures from the suitcases:
To start:
Two throws now in the guest house and my home in Urukundo Village.
The messages are inspirational. Lovely. Delivered by Marilyn Ely, these special throws came from a dear friend in my hometown.
“Footprints” is one of my favorite pieces.
Give your own title to this photo. Think about it. Pray about it. Feedback, please.
This special prayer applies to every day and every walk of life.
Fun with Carol and Marilyn.
Marilyn and Kavine play one-on-one indoor basketball.
Wings and masks are a delight.
Balls are a favorite toy and pastime entertainment here at Urukundo Village and Learning Center.
Pastor Yves and his crew inflate the balls.
The big orange one is for babies.
Our daycare babies also love the balls.
Combining balls, vests and sunglasses make for a fun time. Pastor and Seraphine indulge with the kids. We are all kids at heart.
Seraphine becomes mysterious and beautiful. A butterfly. Yeah.
Now it is time for the kids to experiment with masks.
John masked and ready to fly.
Soso and Forever are a bit scary.
Tool time: some assembly needed. Putting together the tool chest/table requires master mechanics.
Many parts were assembled to make a table and chest for tools.
Kids did it. No extra parts. Great accomplishment.
Job well done
Our visitors, Pastor Alexis and wife Pastor Delphine, received pointers on tools and the tool chest.
Safety first. Helmets, goggles and vests for trying on for size.
Cooking on an ultra modern stove and having a work table and shelves storage adds to the wonder.
A regular chair and a printed canvas make up the stove and cabinet an amazing teaching tool.
Notice the microwave oven. Wow.
Our Chef Seraphine and Kavine prepared food for cooking.
Teacher Theogen stirred the pot. So much fun for students and teachers! Learning can be great fun.
Carol and company. Olive, Carol, Deborah and Seraphine. What a beautiful grouping! Great photo.