Back with the children

A very good day for Mama. During a bout with cold and flu-like symptoms lasting too long, I had chosen to stay away, not wanting to pass the illness to the children.

I am pleased to say finally I am no longer contagious and back on my feet. What a wonderful morning!

My escort Benjamin did the photo op. I share these photos with you.

Children everywhere. Joy to behold!

Word is out. Mama is on the field. They came running to greet me. My pleasure.

The discussion was about foote ball (soccer). A young girl said to me, “I don’t like to play foote ball.” My response was, “Neither do I, but I like to watch.” It was agreed it is OK not wanting to play and watching is good. Wish all problems were so simple.

After a playground visit and high fives, the bell sounded and the kids returned to class.

I love recess.

New house in progress

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.

Closing thoughts

This has been a very interesting month at Urukundo. A new residence in progress, our first visitor in more than a year, memories awakened from 2002. So many things have happened in such a short time.

I do hope, my dear friends, you know how much I appreciate being able to share it all with you.

Much love,

Mama

April 2021 Newsletter

Greetings from Mama Arlene

April is the month of new beginnings. Well, for Urukundo, it is a month of developing a new system for our kitchen. Thanks to some early gifts, we were able to start. We will continue as funding becomes available. After much discussion, the decision was made. Considering the health problems for our employees breathing smoke and the environmental effects of destroying our forests for firewood, we decided to go ahead with installing the propane gas for cooking.

We will rebuild the kitchen when funds are available. Yes, it truly is a new beginning. For months, I have been anticipating what changing from wood to propane gas might be like. Well, dear friends and family, here in pictures is the answer. In capital letters, I declare: ANOTHER HOPE MADE REAL.

Propane tank arrives.

It takes a lot of men to lift such a heavy object.

OK. Job well done. Tank off of the truck.

Celebration of another Hope Made Real.

A platform was built. The tank now has a permanent resting place.

We must protect our neighbor and secure the land where the propane tank rests. It would not be good to one day find our tank sitting on our neighbor’s property. Yes, a retaining wall and a fence to protect the tank for safety reasons are necessary.

Tanker arrives for the first time to fill our tank.

We have gas.

Protection for the tank.

The tank has its protective house. Painted blue, of course.

Closing thoughts

A thought as we leave the month of April.

I share with you these wise words that are often repeated. “It's not the years in your life that count. It's the life in your years.”

My dear friends and family, live your life each day as best you can.

Much love,

Mama Arlene

March 2021 Newsletter

Vaccinations!

Urukundo certainly marched into March with gusto. What an exciting month!

The first week in March will live in my memory. This was the week Rwanda received the Covid-19 vaccine. The first vaccine was to be distributed to health centers on March 5, with the first vaccinations to be given on March 6.

Not being a Rwandan with just my passport for ID, I was not on any listing to receive it. I understood that I would have to make contact, I then would be added, and it would take weeks or maybe months before I would receive notice to go to a health center to be vaccinated.

I had no problem with that. There are so many who are in greater danger.

Much to my surprise at 6 a.m. the very next morning, I received a text telling me I should appear at the Kivumu Health Center that very day (March 6) and the vaccine would be given to me. As is normal, I was being given special treatment. This time, I was grateful for it. Most times, I resent being shown preferential treatment.

Covid-19 vaccine administered in Kivumu in the Cyeza sector on March 6.

Sorry to say I had a very bad reaction to the vaccine two weeks to the day, but knowing travel will never be possible unless you have the vaccine, I am glad I received it and I encourage others to receive it also. It is time to return to sharing hugs and kisses. The vaccine, masks and love make that possible.

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.