Closing Thoughts

Ending the month of March, I share this with you:

I am not into fasting. Nevertheless, I do believe truly in these fastings. Think about them, please. This has been widely circulated on the Internet; some attribute it to Pope Francis.

Fast from hurting words – and say kind words.

Fast from sadness – and be filled with gratitude.

Fast from anger – and be filled with patience.

Fast from pessimism – and be filled with hope.

Fast from worries – and trust in God.

Fast from complaints – and contemplate simplicity.

Fast from pressure – and be prayerful.

Fast from bitterness – and fill your heart with joy.

Fast from selfishness – and be compassionate.

Fast from grudges – and be reconciled.

Fast from words – be silent and listen.

Climate change

The violent storms we are experiencing are beyond any I have witnessed in the 20 odd years I have been in Rwanda.Tropical storms are expected, but wind and rain, mixed with lightning, rumbling claps of thunder, and hailstones big enough to dent your car are a little much. The storms are truly testing my new residence and the hilly land around the Learning Center.


Damage in front of the preschool.

Rwanda’s flag is no longer surrounded by mud.

Benjamin and his crew went to work, and the mud is no longer a problem. Safer for the kids. Now the children can run and play without mud. I am happy.

Living on a mountain is always exciting. Rwanda is all mountains. There is no choice.

Watching a mountain erode in the form of a mudslide behind the primary school. Retaining walls are a must. We cleaned up the mud, but it will take some time to build the retaining wall to prevent further damage. We know each storm will make it worse. The ground is so soft.

Sports Day

Feb. 19 was Sports Day at Urukundo Foundation.

Volleyball and footeball (soccer) were the games to be played. The teams were made up of teachers and parents.

Teachers’ volleyball team

Parents’ volleyball team

To play on the parents’ team you must have a child enrolled in Urukundo Learning Center.

Teachers in black, parents in yellow. Notice the referee standing on a chair. It was a close match. The parents were the winners.

A group photo. I got to pose with both teams.

Teachers’ soccer team.

Parents’ soccer team.

This game ended in a tie. That was good for me. No winner. No loser. Just good exercise.

Closing thoughts

My thoughts for February are in line with Margie Krogh’s thinking about music.

I finish the February newsletter with this quote from Lou Rawls, American record producer, singer, composer and actor.

“Music is the greatest communication in the world. Even if people don't understand the language that you're singing in, they still know good music when they hear it.”

Mama

January Newsletter

The highlight of 2022: Mama has a new home. Its completion was a very special event. This building will be the home of all future directors of Urukundo and the guest house for visitors and volunteers who wish to spend quality time at Urukundo Village and Learning Center.

Here’s what I could see looking out the window of my old residence. Yes, it was rather bleak. This was the view from my old residence.

Compare this with what I now am able to see from my new residence.

Sliding board, swings, merry-go-round in play area

Basketball court

Basketball

Volleyball

Soccer field

I can view all of the activities, and I am a happy Mama.

Awesome. I feel less isolated and, more importantly, I have contact with the children. I no longer have to climb the mountain to see the kids at play and visit the school.

Here’s a tour of my new home. Small door is my office entrance. Double doors are the entrance to the living quarters. In all the years I’ve been at Urukundo, this is the first time my bedroom is totally private. Wow! What an accomplishment! The shape of the home is a tribute to Rwandan history and culture. It's the shape of the King’s Palace Museum, which is a reconstruction of the 19th century traditional royal residence.

A beautiful art canvas by a local artist, a gift from Urukundo cleaners. Look for it hanging in my new office.

The moving week began on Jan. 4.

Installing kitchen cabinets

Kitchen completed

The dining room drapes open

The dining room drapes closed

Dining area and kitchen. I love the openness of this floor plan.

Relax and enjoy our living area. Great place to greet friends.

Wide-open space includes living area, dining area and kitchen with cathedral ceiling.

Looking straight up.

My greatest joy: zebra, birds and paintings are all Rwandan culture art.

Guest room. The beds are comfortable and the covers will keep you warm.

My office. Imagine an office that does not have a bed in it!

Thank you for touring Urukundo’s new residence with me. I hope soon you can come to Urukundo Village and spend some time enjoying what so many of you have helped build.

A gift that keeps on giving

Carol Falke, our Hope Made Real Board International president, is at work. Her love of books and the Urukundo Learning Center library reaches out to others who have like passion.

A book sponsorship was held at Park Forest Village United Methodist Church in State College, Pennsylvania, USA. Children and adults selected a book or two and wrote a message inside for Urukundo Learning Center’s children’s library.

Continuing in the spirit of Christmas giving, a book sponsorship was an event at Trinity Lutheran Church in State College. (L-R) Pastor Ron Miller, Vicar Ted Williams, Linda Leslie and Lacey Sheaffer represented the congregation in this worthy project. What better gifts than books to open young minds to new adventures?

Side note: Carol chooses appropriate books, and others sponsor the books chosen. She then ships them by UPS to the Urukundo Foundation. You can do your part as well. Help is always needed and appreciated to cover the cost of shipping.

Thought for January

As we begin a new year, it is time to set new goals and dream new dreams.

The future is ours. Let us make the most of it and be the best that we can be.

Mama Arlene

December 2021 Newsletter

December newsletter begins in late November.

My eyes are better to see with.

Nov. 22 was an unforeseen event. During a routine eye exam, Dr. Baker informed me I needed to have cataracts removed. The first eye was done on Nov. 22. The second one was done just seven days later on Nov. 29.

My travel continues

Winding down my USA travels, I arrived back in Reston, Virginia, on Dec. 1.

Borrowed van packed with suitcases made the trip from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, to Reston. The luggage will continue to the next stop, Kigali, Rwanda.

Kathy Kelley, Rosemary Welch and Mary Jackson were there to welcome my daughter Patricia and me.

Driver and son-in-law Dale

On Dec.3, long-time friend Craig Haas and I got together for lunch. I met Craig when he worked in Rwanda 14 years ago. We had so much to share.

Reston was my first stop entering the USA and my last stop leaving. Since arriving in the USA on Sept. 2, I have visited so many long-time friends and family members. And I have made many new friends. Thanks to all for your hospitality and your continued support of Urukundo.

November 2021 newsletter

State College

Ending October, I was blessed to spend time with hosts Steve and Carol Falke, president of the Hope Made Real International Board, in State College, Pennsylvania.

We also had time with other friends in State College.

Joanne and Paul Steindorf

Janet Madore and Esther Lauchle

Ruth and Bob O’Connor

Carol Baney.

Carol visited Urukundo several years ago with a team led by Carol Falke. It was good to connect with her again.

Family, first and foremost

Four generations. How awesome!

What wonderful joys have taken place on this visit that I didn’t expect when I started planning this trip! First two weddings and now seeing my my great-granddaughter Jasmine, her husband Eric, and her daughter Lola, one of my great-great-grandchildren, for the first time. With my daughter Barbara, that makes four generations.

Then hugging Hannah Arlene and Amelia. They are daughter Barbara’s grandchildren.

Getting to know my great-grandchildren is such a reward. Juliana is the granddaughter of my son Jerry.

I am so blessed to have both great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren.

Altoona

Pastor Rebecca Holland and her husband, Pastor Jeff Holland.

Rebecca is Chair of Disability Ministries Task Force of the Susquehanna Conference of the United Methodist Church. She serves as pastor to Christ Community and Llyswen United Methodist Churches in Altoona, Pennsylvania.

Through her ministry, the Urukundo Learning Center received aid for Claudine. Because of Rev. Rebecca and her task force, Claudine now has a brighter future.

Rev. Dr. Joleen A. Willis, district superintendent of the Altoona District in the Susquehanna Conference of the United Methodist Church, honored me with her presence at Christ Community.

Book signing and sharing took place at Christ Community.

Joleen and her husband Randy, who is pastor of Wehnwood United Methodist Church in Altoona, are parents of Ethan and Sarah. The Willis children were a delight. Such energy! Wow.