February 2021 Newsletter sent with love

February is all about love, caring and sharing. Urukundo’s family is also all about love, caring and sharing. Of all the virtues, love is the greatest.

Meet some of our kids sharing the love. They are all my valentines.

Olive with Jacob and Rebecca

Olive went to visit Jacob at his new school. She asked Jacob if he knew his sister Rebekah was in the same school. He did not, and Rebekah did not know Jacob was there. The reunion was an event to behold.

Baby Edith is the center for this group. She is their valentine special. Her mama is HR manager Juliette. Sharing the love are big brothers Edison and Jerry; adopted cousin Emma; and foster sister Livine.

Couldn’t resist those missing two front teeth.

Love enough to go around in Pastor Yves’s family.

Papa Ishmael, chairside dental assistant, has a valentine. Her name is Audrey.

More love. Chantel, our daycare helper, shares the love with Sabrine. Her mama is teacher Salonge.

A newborn baby and his mama.

Soccer shoes needed

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

Special time

Calendar of the year. My Valentine’s Day gift from the Urukundo staff. Love it.

My children have a special time with me each morning. They come to my office for a hug from me before going to school. There is a designated leader for the day. The leader names the year and month then marks off the date and day with a blue marker.

This year, we had no calendar. I was very upset as this is an event the children and I share. Knowing my distress and as a surprise for me, it was arranged for Urukundo to have its own calendar. What a wonderful gift for me!

Now the kids are happy, and the blue marker is back to work.

Progress

After the explosion I told you about in January, we took a closer look at the tires on the Land Rover. We needed to replace all five tires as all were threadbare and dangerous.

Oswald, vehicle manager, shows the faulty tires.

We have moved from that to this.

New tires make for a safer journey over the mountain roads of Rwanda.

Five new tires including a new spare. This spare is not ready to explode.

Thought for February

When I think about love, I think about family, friends and Urukundo. Reach out, make a friend and share the love every day.

Love can change the world.

Mama Arlene

A New Year

The new year started in grand style.

Breakfast with mama.

Delphine, the auntie in charge for the day, along with Claudine, Sarah, John and Soso, joined Mama for breakfast the morning of New Year’s Day. A wonderful meal was prepared by the Urukundo kitchen for us. It consisted of juice, porridge, scrambled eggs, vegetables, pizza rounds, chips, avocado, papaya and the ever-present little bananas. To top off the breakfast, Soso accidentally upset his juice into Claudine’s plate and lap. This made it the perfect breakfast ending, with laughter and mopping up. For me, it was a pure joy just being together.

Following the usual tradition of my youth, I made a New Year's resolution. I am asking: Have you made a New Year’s resolution? Is it broken already? Mine is to walk outdoors for at least a half-hour every day. I am working on it. I must walk inside the campus and not on the street due to the Covid-19 virus. With the accessible walkways constructed in 2020, it is now possible.

Providing a smooth walkway rather than steep irregular steps from my backyard to the campus area makes my walk easier.

Benjamin’s arm is also appreciated.

Wonderful memories

A lovely gift. I received this beautiful picture and was so pleased. The photo came from London. We know the team and the names of all of the volunteers, but I don’t know which one sent it to us. I would like to know to say thank you. I had the photo framed, and it now hangs in my office for all to enjoy. The kids find themselves and name the volunteers and staff, remembering this visit and the happy times we all enjoyed.

As the song goes, “Memories are made of this.”

Explosion as warning

It is frightening to have an explosion and not know what exploded. At first, I thought it was in my kitchen and Libby my helper might be hurt. This was not the case. The explosion came from outside where the cars were parked.

The Land Rover (our big car) had an explosion. The explosion came from the spare tire on the back of the car blowing up. What a noise! It was near my house. Guards, day workers, staff and kids came running to see if I was okay. It was a relief to all to find the source of the explosion was not in Mama’s house.

The explosion was disturbing but harmless. The tire was old, and, apparently the heat of the day caused it to burst. It destroyed the tire but did no other damage. It did, however, make us aware that the tires on the vehicle were balding and new tires are needed for safe travel. I am grateful the tire was not on the vehicle while traveling. A serious accident was avoided.

God in charge.

Closing thoughts

I offer you these thoughts:

“Let us remember: One book, one pen, one child and one teacher can change the world.”

– Malala Yousafzai

The world will be a better place as these children move forward. Education is the light to that better world.