Foundation visitors

Urukundo Director Jean Marie welcomed our visitors from the Segal Family Foundation: Sharonrose Msaki, program officer based in Tanzania, and Yvan Gatoto, program officer based in Rwanda and serving the African Great Lakes region.

Director Jean Marie (blue shirt) and Headmaster Viateur (white shirt) shared the honors of presenting Urukundo Learning Center to our guests. This was a first visit for Sharonrose and Yvan, so there was much to share.

The visit included the Learning Center, day care, dental clinic, farm, Sewing Center and, the best event of all, helping to serve lunch to the school children. They then had a relaxing visit to Mama’s new residence.

Before leaving, our administrative staff and visitors posed for a photo. In addition to Jean Marie, Oswalde and me, our visitors were joined by Juliette, third from left, who is head of human relations and vice president of the National Board, and Eric, on the right, office secretary and assistant to the director. Oswalde is both transportation director and National Board president.

Finally, we sent them off to their next destination with a warm drink in hand. We hope they will return soon.

More visitors

Wow! My cup runneth over. After no visitors for so long, to have four in March, what a treat! Director Jean Marie and I welcomed Francoise Uzamukunda, academic director, Africa, for the Global Engagement Institute, and professor Drew Kahn from SUNY Buffalo State College, USA. Drew is also a member of the Hope Made Real International Board of Directors.

Of course, Drew had to be tested for Covid-19 before going to his next destination. It was our pleasure to meet with Dr. Valli Meeks, our dentist friend from the University of Maryland School of Dentistry, at the testing center. Valli was in Rwanda with the nonprofit Operation Smile. Small world.

February 2022 newsletter

Share the love month

The first visitors in Urukundo’s new residence were Margie and Bruce Krogh from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA. They are former residents of Kigali, Rwanda, and friends to Urukundo Village and Learning Center.

Arriving on a Saturday evening, Bruce was the logical speaker for the Sunday morning service. Divine (one of my university graduates) acted as a translator in both English and Kinyarwanda.

Divine and Bruce at the worship service.

The women’s choir sang and danced praises.

Pastor Yves and Bruce served communion.

The congregation was so pleased to have these special visitors.

On Monday, the Kroghs visited the school.

Margie and Bruce got acquainted with new headmaster Viateur.

Visiting the classrooms was on the agenda.

Witnessing a reading group in the library proved to be a special event.

Margie's passion is the music program at Urukundo Learning Center. She has long been a monthly contributor supporting music for kids.

Emmanuel, head of the music program, gives Margie some pointers.

The violin section and the chorus entertained our guests.

Not to be outdone, the guitars, the drums and keyboards joined in. They presented quite a concert.

Truly it was the highlight of Margie’s visit.

I was so excited to see them when they came that I forgot the camera. No incoming photo. I decided to get a photo as they were leaving after their visit. OK, so it is a bit in reverse. Not the usual. They have promised to return before going back to the USA. I look forward to that visit.

August visitors

I was delighted to welcome Dr. Otto Fischer, my dear friend from Austria. He is co-founder of the NGO “Verein Future for Kids.” He is a doctor of veterinary medicine. He is co-founder of New Vision Veterinary Hospital, a private Rwandan animal clinic and laboratory. Otto and I have been working together for many years. He keeps our farm out of trouble.

When Otto flew to Rwanda for the first time in February 2007, he was deeply impressed by the country, the people and, of course, the children.

Make new friends but keep the old.

Dr. Helga Keinprecht is the Urukundo farm’s new friend. New Vision Veterinary Hospital is in good hands. She is from Austria, lives in Rwanda and is the regular doctor at the animal hospital. Otto lives in Austria and travels back and forth yearly.

Dr. Otto is the old friend.

Dr. Helga is the new friend.

During her initial visit, our new friend Dr. Helga toured the school as well as the farm.

Visitor for May

Her name is Erin Friday.

Mama, Chantel, Pastor Yves and our kids welcomed our first visitor since Covid travel restrictions took place in March 2020. Now the Covid restrictions are lessened. Erin is from Wayne, Pennsylvania, USA.

A bit about Erin. Most importantly, she is a devoted wife and mother of three. Erin is a CPA and is CEO for the Thousand Hills Accounting in Rwanda and Main Line Accounting in the USA. She shared her love of Rwanda and her teaching ability and knowledge with the Urukundo Foundation administration.

Thousand Hills Accounting is committed to financial education, creating jobs and supporting businesses as part of Rwanda’s Vision 2050. We look forward to her return visit in October 2021.

Her visit concluded with a Fanta and ice cream party and a rousing foote ball (soccer) game.

Pastor Yves was the referee.

Delighted to do my first book signing.

Erin has the first autographed copy of my book. She brought her copy with her.

Her comment to me upon her arrival at Urukundo was: “Coming to Urukundo to get the book signed was just an excuse to meet you!”

Visit from our princess

Baby Chloe is 11 weeks old and finally came to visit her muzungu grandmother. Covid-19 has had control for too long. It was such a blessing to finally be holding this precious baby girl.

She was born Jan. 3. Her papa, my Rwandan son Amin, and his lovely wife Claire were delighted when, thanks to the prayers of so many, a healthy baby girl was born. Olive visited her at home, but because of Covid-19, it was not safe until recently to visit Mama at Urukundo Village.

Visitor

Claudia Weissenböck from Austria was a welcome visitor. Claudia and her husband Erwin worked with us as we installed solar electricity in the Urukundo Village.

Special visitors

Our boy Claude came home for a visit. He wanted to spend some time with his Urukundo brother, Soso. The boys had a great time. School started for Claude on Nov. 23.

Claude is in Primary 4 this year. Soso is in Primary 3, and he is one of three children who remains at Urukundo.

Here are some others who made a visit home:

Esperance

Now in her last year of secondary school, Esperance was delighted to find her Urukundo sister Belise at home when she arrived. Although the girls are in the same level of education, they go to different schools. The schools are very far apart, so coming home at the same time is a real event for the girls.

Belise

Her smile brightens our world.d

Belise came to Urukundo when she was 4 years old. She was the first girl under age 7 to become part of the Urukundo family. The story of Belise is a chapter in my book on Pages 75-78. She is in her final year of secondary school (high school). Her graduation has been delayed by the Covid-19 pandemic.

Bosco

Bosco, who was home for the day, came to be part of the Urukundo family in 2007. He was one of eight boys brought to Urukundo by the village leader. He is now a university student in his second year. He is enrolled in Mount Kenya University, Kigali campus.

Yes, there is no place like home.

There were early morning good-byes as the girls carrying their treasures started off for university. Now that public transportation is back, they were able to board a bus and return to their studies.

Their younger Urukundo brother, Claude, assists them as they walk to the bus. A helper who also carries school supplies is important.

Special visitors

A very proud papa. Benjamin, our maintenance manager, brought his daughters to visit Mama. Benj also has two sons, but papas and their daughters in every family are very special. Ange is 10 years, and Josianne is 18 months. Mama gave the girls each a packet of cookies (green packet) and sent two for the brothers. The three older children are students at Urukundo Learning Center.