September 2017 Newsletter

September is the month six of our kids return to University.  Three more start their freshman year. We need sponsors for these kids.  Feel free to volunteer.  Even a small amount helps.

It also seems to be a make things beautiful month, adding to the playground in last months Newsletter.  Covering the cushions in the boys house fits the category but the cushions were recovered because the material was warn so thin that the kids could dig holes in the material and play with the foam they removed. They thought it was fun but I remember when one of the kids put foam up their nose and it became a serious infection.  It took some time to discover the problem. Better to recover the cushions. I think they look great. The material is washable with warm water and a cloth. What do you think?  Improvement? I vote Yes!

Now if you want cute, how about the new chairs for Day Care?

Taking possession with an attitude.

The children love them. They are just their size.

 

Chantel, Day care manager, appreciates having a play table and chairs where the kids do not set on the floor all the time. Better for her too.

Child of the month

Soso's Story

Four years ago, Soso was born at a local hospital. His mother had no money for a bed and was placed on a Moto before she was healed. Carrying her newborn son; she started home to her village across country on very bad rutted roads. When the driver reached her village it was discovered she had hemorrhaged all the way home and had died from loss of blood because she had not had time to heal, Soso is an orphan. He is a delight and a very active little boy.

His name is Hildebrand but such a big name for a baby.  He was nicknamed Soso by his sister Solange. The nickname stuck.

Soso continues to enrich our lives at Urukundo Village. 

 

Soso was our very first Preschool dropout.  He was a very resourceful little 3-year boy who had decided he did not want to go to school.  It took a bit of time for me to figure out what was going on. He had been so excited when he turned three because he could go to school but suddenly after the first day he decided school was not for him.  For a week, we tried to deal with the problem to no avail. It occurred to me there was something else going on so I watched him during that week.  He had the best of times not going to school. In the morning, he could play with the kids who went to Kindergarten in the afternoon and in the afternoon he played with the younger set after naptime.  He didn’t need school to make his day perfect.

Mama took steps.  I went to talk to Soso and told him “It is ok if you don’t want to go to school. You do not have to go any more. You can stay home.” He was so pleased.

“But while the other kids were in school you will have to stay in your room on your bed with no books or toys or other kids to play with until school was over.” He said, "Ok, I will do that.”

That lasted one day, after an alone no play day he came to me and said “Mama, I want to go to school please.”  Soso is in school and happy to be there. No preschool drop out.

 

Soso graduated from Kindergarten in November 2016.  He is now in Primary 1(First grade) and doing well.

 

Soso’s greatest wish was to have a place to go to visit during holiday from school.  Recently some extended family has been found and one member has accepted to have Soso during the school holiday.  We are pleased that this has happened.  Soso’s found relative Erneste came to meet Soso at Urukundo Village.  We are hoping it will happen for other of our children. It is so good for children to have a connection.

Our boy, Soso “Hildebrand”

 

Urukundo Learning Center

Look for an update on the bus project in next month’s newsletter.

“Education Fund” Supporters

Those of you who have contributed to the education fund will be pleased to know we now have textbooks for all classes. This has been a goal for some time. How awesome is that?

 

Books for Primary  1 – 5.  We are blessed thanks to all of you.

Three hundred textbooks for our Primary 1 -5 kids at last. Thank you who have donated to the Education Fund. More are needed but these 300 textbooks are a great start

Next school year we will need text books for P6.

 

In January 2018, all 6 Primary grades will be in session at Urukundo Learning Center.  This will be our first class to take the National Exam.  How our children do in this critical exam will tell us if we are doing a good job.

Our future looks bright as we have been given the go-ahead by the District to build and operate a Secondary School (High School) as part of the Urukundo Learning Center. 

Our vision

 

More about that later.  This is now in our 5-year plan. Ever on ward and up ward in education.  Who knows maybe someday a University on the top of our mountain? Can’t wait to see that picture.

Top 10 in classes

Incentive works wonders so it was decided to give a small gift to each child in their class who were in the top 10 academically. Each received a small bag with a gift inside.

 

Gifts ranged from stuffed animals for the youngest to school supply kits for the older group. Next year, we will find another category for the prizes. Like most improved, best attendance etc. You get the idea. Rewards must not be only for the top achievers but must include those doing their best. Any suggestions for categories?

Jeanne is back.

Check out her message on the web site.

Jeanne Willis joins the teaching program at Urukundo Learning Center.  

Kids welcome Jeanne

 

Jeanne hails from Pennsylvania and is returning for 3 months to volunteer at Urukundo Learning Center. Do read her message to you on the website. 

Welcoming Jeanne after more than a years absence was our Headmaster I’rene’s pleasure. Preschool teachers are excited to have Jeanne in their classrooms.

Comforting hug from teacher Jeanne

Preschool is such fun.  Hands up - good exercise

Teaching tools colored chains.

Construction

New home for Electric Generator.

We thank God for Benjamin, our construction engineer and technician.  If it can be built, he will build it. He is the best.

Required for Dental program.  It was necessary to meet regulations for us to build a home for the Generator. It now is housed in a small building of it very own. The generator supplies electricity for the Dental Clinic when power goes out. Who wants to be half way through a process have the power fail and wait 4 or 5 hours in the chair for the electricity to return? The generator saves the day. It kicks on as soon as the power goes and kicks off when it returns.  Our dental Clinic operates very well.

 

Rwanda is famous for being the land of a thousand hills. That is great but not for building. After you build you must add retaining walls to keep your building from moving down the mountain on its own. This wall is for the toilet at the Primary school. Funding for this building was donated by WOF (World Orphans Fund), we are so grateful for their support.  The fence is to protect the kids from a serious fall and maybe broken bones. We love and protect our students.

 

Entrance to lower lever of Primary school

 

The walk way is extensive but the building cares for both levels of the Primary school.

 

Oswalde escorts Mama on an inspection tour. It is good to have an arm for support. 

 

Looking to the Future

In line with our five-year plan, three classrooms are under construction and hopefully will be ready by January 2018.

The two classrooms will facilitate our growing school population and one will be the new classroom for computer studies both for our students and adult classes for the community. The adult computer ICDL program under the direction and encouragement of Dr. Bob Dove is aimed at helping businesses in the area to better understand and us computer programs to their advantage. Dr. Dove and wife Amy will be residence of Urukundo Village in November 2017. We are excited to have them join our family.

Amy will be an asset to our education program working directly with the school administration on curriculum and administrative problems.

Building and roof completed on three classrooms. 

 

Inside work started. More work to be done. Cement walls, chalkboards, windows and doors, flooring (stones and cement), finishing work paint, décor and desks, and chairs.  Then kids. Wow!

 

University News

Keeping you current, we now have 13 students in University. Two are in the USA.  Nine in Kigali Universities and two are attending Gitwe Hospital School of Medicine.

Visiting

Alexander, Esperance, Cecelia, Dada, and Divine welcomed a visit from Jeanne our long-term visitor. Lilliane came later as did HMR Secretary, Marge Krogh. Knowing our kids are safe and living in a good house is a blessing and an added bonus for us is it is a place in Kigali that we can take visitors to and they can meet the

“BIG KIDS” not day care babies but just as cute. Some difference.

Cecelia and Pacifique (Dada) have moved to University house in Kigali. The girls started University in September. They are missed here at home.  Study hard and do well girls.

 

Deborah also started University in September.  All our students receive an English bible upon finishing Secondary and before starting University.  These bibles are gifts from donors in the US.  Reading English and having an English Bible is special for Urukundo kids.

Visitors

We are delighted to welcome visitors who come for only the day.  Brian Booker (glasses) from Tennessee and Jennifer PrudHome from California where a team brought to us by Yvan from GEI.  The are representatives from “Onestep” Education is their priority.  We had a delightful visit and they enjoyed the tour and lunch with the kids.

Mama and Baby Outreach

Yes, our supplies of basic needs for babies nearly were depleted. Of course, I sent out the word.

Thanks to your devotion to the Mama & Baby program!  We are again able to supply mamas with much needed supplies for their newborn infants. I am so grateful. From our clothes closet when we can, we also send some clothing to other siblings in the family not wanting them to feel left out.

We also give baby gifts to the newborn babies of our staff.

Bona one of our male teachers became a father this month and is so proud. His first-born a boy. New papa’s need encouragement & love also.  I am featuring his son and wife in this newsletter.  Thought I would let you know how your donations for M&B are working to support Urukundo and the community.  Thank you, all who love and care for babies and support this program.

 

Note from Mama Arlene.

I so appreciate hearing from those who read the newsletter. Feel free to comment either in the comment section at the bottom of the newsletter or send your comments to me at my email address (Arlene@hopemadereal.org)

Thank you

Arlene Brown

Jeanne's message

Hello,

 My name is Jeanne Willis. I am a retired schoolteacher from Hughesville Pennsylvania, USA. I earned my bachelors at Lock Haven University in Lock Haven, Pa. My major was Early Childhood Education.  I taught in schools in Florida, 20 years, Quito Ecuador, 1 year, St Croix in the Virgin Islands 6 years.  When I am home I work, as a substitute teacher in Montgomery Elementary School near my home in PA. Teaching for 26 years has been a great experience. As a retired person I hope to teach for many more years.

My first visit to Urukundo was in January 2016.  I stayed for four months teaching the students and working with the teachers at the Urukundo Learning Center Preschool. The time went much to fast. In my off time from the school I was engaged with the 26 kids under 10 years at Urukundo Home for children.  What an amazing place. I enjoyed them and participated with the kids in dancing, creativity and singing. It was interesting watching them solve their problems and helping each other out.  They truly are family.

I am so thankful how Mama Arlene has worked so hard to expand the Learning Center to include community children in the education system. The 566 students from the community and 26 from the home are getting a good education. The school and the foundation provide many jobs helping the economy in the area.

I returned to Urukundo for a second time last month, “September” and I intend to be here for the graduation in November 2017. It will be exciting to see the children I taught on my first visit graduate from Kindergarten to Primary school. The graduation is special as the little ones wear caps and gowns and receive a diploma, just like University kids. They are so proud.

If you love children, love to teach and want to make a difference in lives of vulnerable children you would feel right at home in Urukundo Learning Center in Rwanda, Africa where every care is for the child. You would be most welcome to a life changine experience. It makes my day when students come running to me take my hand and in English say  “GOOD MORNING TEACHER.” Their precious smiles and bright shinny eyes grab my heart. They share so much affection and want to learn. Oh what joy I feel when they recite poems or sing songs I have taught them.

Working with the teachers especially in a second language (English) is also rewarding as I am able to see the results as they share what I have taught them with the children. The teachers welcome and so appreciate new skills and new ideas other teachers from other countries bring to share with them. Coming back the second time I am able to evaluate the changes taking place because I and others have been here. How rewarding to see the school growing, teachers blooming and the children progressing.

It is also rewarding when a teacher seeks me out and asks for help and invites me to their class room. They so appreciate my help.  I often wonder what I have to offer and God gives me the answer most often. We come here with what we have and God provides the rest.

Mama has many goals for Urukundo Learning Center and Urukundo Sewing Center. Yes, so much love and compassion are involved.

Take it from one who has been here. If your heart is for children and you want to make a difference your next trip should be to:

Urukundo Village, working at Urukundo Learning Center , touching the lives of children who just need the opportunity to have a firn foundation in education.

Education is the future for these kids.

Thank you for allowing me to share with you.

Jeanne Willis

August 2017 Newsletter

August is awesome for about 2 weeks with so many of the kids are home and then my kids all go back to school.

I promised a photo of the secondary school kids. You will find it's a much smaller group than July’s picture. Why? Five of the kids in the last photo have started University or will start in September. We now have 18 kids who have finished Secondary school and are moving on to Universities, technical school or employment.

Child of the month: Rebekah Landis

Rebekah Landis 5 years old

Our little girl came with no name. It was my privilege to pick a name for her. Rebekah in the bible is one of my favorite woman with a strong character (forceful woman). I chose that name for this little girl. She is living up to her name.

When Rebekah came to Urukundo, Pastor Sharon Landis was volunteering with us. We needed a last name for her and Pastor Sharon suggested she have her last name and so Rebekah Landis became a part of Urukundo family.

Becca for short arrived at Urukundo on October 24, 2009. Her date of birth was figured as about June 29.  She was brought to Urukundo by Exec. Sec. of the Gitarama Cell, Misago Matias.  

The social worker who also came with her told us,” this baby girl was left in the house of a poor family who already had many children and could not support another child.  "Can she live with you?” Saying no to a baby is not possible. At 4 months, she was a tiny girl with a will of her own.

Rebekah has a personality like no other.  In early childhood, she tried getting her own way by crying every time things did not go the way she wanted. It took her some time to learn that crying did not get her what she wanted but gave her time on her bed away from the other children.

She is the most loving and friendly child in our home.  She is a forceful little girl.  

She is now 8 years old in Primary 2 and doing well.  She could edit a newspaper. Her abilities run in that direction.  

Rebekah has leadership abilities and looks out for the other younger children. She is alert to happenings in the village and is first alert if there is a problem brewing. Love that little girl.

Rebekah today

 

She will be an interesting one to track as she matures. Expect great things from her.

Returned to Arizona University USA

Tresor is so special at Urukundo. His visit after being gone two years was much too short.  His return to the USA was sad for us but we know he will return to make a difference in his home land in two years.

Jacob and Jason needed a photo with him and Banita would not be left out. Makes a great picture.

 

Play time with the kids for Tresor

 

Progress of a sort

A first for Urukundo Kids.  Having a drivers license is indeed an accomplishment.  Both Tresor with his USA license and Divine with her’s from Rwanda are now drivers. To make it a special event Tresor rented a car and for the first time my University three came home driving a car.  Shock for Mama.

Tresor, Lilliane, Divine

 Aspiring Soccer (foote ball) player, Jason.

A very happy reunion

A delightful surprise when my phone rang and it was Pastor Alexi saying he would visit me the next day with a friend.  How great when the friend was Bill Graf.

Pastor Alexi and I have a very long history in Rwanda and his family are part of the Urukundo family. Pastor Alexi serves a United Methodist church in Kigali City.  Bill Graf first came to Urukundo when we were only a home for girls in 2007. He was a witness when we bought our first piece of land.  Bill is an attorney from Colorado, USA. He has been a faithful supporter for Urukundo and our family.

Inspiring Woman

Charlotte Sauer & Lena Claro both Medical students in their 6 year of medicine came to spend the day at Urukundo Village.

These soon to be doctors were an inspiration to our girls.  Yes, girls can be doctors. Set your goals and do your best in school. It can happen.

Another Pleasant surprise

This has been the month for pleasant surprises. My dear friend since 2007, Dr. Otto Fischer from Austria arrived Sunday, August 13 to worship with the children, share lunch with us, and spend several hours just talking with me.  Some of you will remember Dr Otto as the Veterinarian.  

So everyone seems to be taller than me.  

Dr. Otto Fischer brought with him 3 of his “Verein Future for Kids” students and a driver/friend with him.

Check his web site: www.future4kids.at

This is a great photo but white hair does not show well in the sun light from the lunch room window.

 

Visitors

Our visitors are few but very special.

Christoph Rass & Carolin Horacek from Germany visited the Urukundo Learning Center in August. Short visit but very nice. They brought soccer balls for the kids. Great gift.  Their interest in Rwanda is schools. I do hope we made a good impression.

Mama & Baby Outreach

Baby #10 for August

Baby #15  This little preemie almost didn’t make it. Born at 7 months.

Playground gets a facelift

Our playground was funded by “Raised Hands For Africa” out of North Carolina, USA several years ago. We are grateful. It is used by the school, our kids and the Day Care kids. What a blessing.

Included in the facelift is lines and back boards on Basketball Court.

Ready for another umpteen years. 

Construction of Wall

It is very necessary to establish a retaining wall at lower level of Learning Center.

In order to protect the toilets, WOF (World Orphans Fund) helped us build this essential wall. Without the wall a heavy rainstorm could bring the building down the mountain. Our mountain is beautiful but soft ground requires much care.

Sand, stone, cement, and hard labor gets the job done. Great crew.

Secondary Kids 2017

As promised in last months newsletter.  In photo from left to right; Bosco, Belise, Esperance, Abias, Giselle, and Olivier.  They are great!

Bosco and Abais & Oliver are in senior 5 graduate in 2018

Giselle & Fabrice are in senior 6 and graduate this year 2017

Esperance & Belise finish Jr. High this year.

Fabrice was not present for the group photo but is also a High school student.  He did make it home on a short visit.

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In closing, I leave you with this thought:

The vulnerable children of Rwanda and the world.

Opportunity is what they need. Your love. Their lives, Our world, You can make a difference.

Your most appreciated gift can be sent to the address below or use the Donate button at the upper right- hand corner of the screen:

Hope Made Real
PO Box 3222
Williamsport, PA 17701

Much love,

Mama Arlene
Director 
Urukundo Foundation/Hope Made Real

July 2017 Newsletter

Hello from Urukundo Village

We are please to reveal the new Logo for Hope Made Real

Love it.

The month of July is a dry month in Rwanda but beautiful. We look forward to the rains starting in August. Agriculture is our focus during the 3 months of rain. This is also the month the second term of school finishes and our secondary kids come home for a short break about 3 weeks. Our little ones love having the older brothers and sisters home with them.

On July 4^th an important holiday takes place in Rwanda.  Liberation Day is a national holiday commemorating the day in 1994 when the killing stopped, marking the end of a 100-day genocide that left nearly a million Rwandans dead.

On that same day July 4^th we celebrate Independence Day in the USA.

 It is the anniversary of the publication of the declaration of independence from Great Britain in 1776.

July 4th is a special day both in The USA and in Rwanda. A day we share. Celebrated very differently. IN Rwanda a long walk to the stadium and many speeches in memory of that day.

In the USA we celebrate with Family, fun, picnics and fireworks. Ok, Yes I miss it all but especially the spectacular fireworks display.

Take a look

Anyone have an idea who these two people from my past are?

Child of the Month: Luki Medland

Luki’s Story

Luki just turned 11years old and is a healthy, happy boy and in Primary 5 (Fifth  Grade Level).

Luki came to Urukundo when he was about 6 month old.  We were surprised one afternoon when we had a visit from a social worker carrying a little baby boy in her arms.

The story is an older woman in Gitarama came into her house from outside to find a little baby boy sitting on the floor just inside her front door. There was a basket beside him with some clothes and a paper stating his name was Luki.  The older women called the District for advise, as she was not able to care for the boy. The social service person brought Luki to us.

Louise Midland from the UK and working in the president’s office at the time was on her weekend visit to Urukundo when Luki arrived. He reached out his arms to her and she lost her heart instantly. Louise asked at once could Luki be her little boy? I was delighted as finding a sponsor is not always easy.  Louise remained in Rwanda for three years and was a part of Luki’s development. She helped him learn to walk and speak English with the UK accent not the same as USA accent. Luki loves her and she loves him. He has Louise’s last name, Medland

When Luki was three years old, another three year old little boy arrived and he and Luki became best friends. Claude was the opposite of Luki in many ways. Luki was light and Claude was very dark skin toned. Luki is tall and thin. Claude is shorter and of stocky build.

Luki’s passion is Basketball and Claude’s is Foote Ball.  Luki is the serous one and loves science projects like the one he received from his mom, Louise.

Both excel in school and both work hard to be # 1 place in their grade.  The boys help each other with homework and sports.

Where you see Luki you see Claude.

Do opposites attract? In this case they do and it has been such a blessing for both boys.

Watching Luki grow I am sure he will be very tall and he is already very handsome.

Luki’s dream was to go to England to be part of Louise’s wedding celebration this year. That did not happen. Visas for children are hard to get in Rwanda.

Luki now has a complete family. His stone a gift from Peter & Louise says it plainly.

Prince and Soso are the half pints on luki’s team.

Coach Luki and little brothers Prince and Soso.  Luki is dedicated to Basketball.

Luki playing basketball here with friends on our field. In case you wondered Luki is not the tall one in the green shirt. That is Joe.

Luki today

Visitor In July

Our only long term visitor in July came from Texas

Alicia is a fifth grade teacher in Texas and so fit well in our school.

Alicia Warren Johnson

Her happy cheery smile was a blessing to all.

Alicia teaching the preschoolers Spanish. Now they will have four languages; English, French, Spanish and their mother tongue Kinyarwanda.  Awesome.

Alicia was a delight to have. It was difficult saying good-bye to some of her students. Others were in school. 

Development in Progress

It was necessary to remove ground to build a retaining wall at the area where the new class rooms were under construction. Where to put the dirt?  Now it made good sense and also saved us money and labor to use the dirt in a practical way.

The perfect place for the dirt was the soccer field. It was not level and the kids got scrapes and burses playing on that field. We had talked about digging down and leveling the field.  The question. Was it necessary to remove earth to level the field and make it safer?

Wouldn’t it be just as good to level and widen with the fill dirt removed from the school area. Yep, that is exactly what happened. We now have a great soccer field and in the pictures below you will see a great retaining wall at the construction area for 3 classrooms.

Site where the excess dirt and high bank had to be removed.

Dumped clean fill dirt on the field before leveling.

Rather than digging down to level we decided to use fill dirt from the school and level and widen up instead of down. Killing two birds with one stone. (Another of my dad’s sayings)    Lookin’ Good!

The back view where the dirt was removed and the retaining wall built

Big project

 

Showing where the old classroom connects with the new construction. Well not so old but previously constructed and in use.

Front view of new buildings.  Blue door is where the buildings connect.

Another big job.  There are 11 count the tails.

 

Homecoming

Welcome home Lilliane. We had a pleasant surprise when she picked up the guitar and played it very well.  Lilliane, Diescor and Tresor sang in worship with Lilliane on the guitar. It was wonderful.

It is so great having Tresor home although it is for a short time. He returns to Arizona State University in August for two more years. The kids were so happy to welcome both Tresor and Lilliane home. We would have been complete if Solange could have joined them. 

More Farm News

We were so blessed when a group from State College developed a project called, Fill the Coup.

One of our main sources of income is the chicken industry. We purchase one-day-old chicks (they are so cute) and raise them for 3 1/2 months.  In my youth, we called the babies, peeps. However like all baby animals and birds they do not stay 1 day old as they grow they do not stay cute.

Near Finished Project

Construction finished just a few more used bricks and we will have a Great walkway.  We now have 3 new baby calves. Only one in photo. Others visiting mothers for food.

Short-term visitors

Tom Gardner a Journalist from the Economist Group out of the UK came asking for an interview. It was interesting.  What he wanted to talk about is a sore subject in Rwanda. Discretion is the better part of valor. I do not do interviews well on delicate subjects.

Divine, our Kigali University ambassador surprises us with visitors. They come for a few hours and are introduced to Urukundo and the kid’s in Divine’s family.  

Martin (dad) and Mairie (daughter) Hutchison  were visitors from Scotland, UK.  We had a nice visit with them but much too short.

Mairie browsing through our 10-anniversary photo book.

Mama & Baby Outreach

 

Mama and baby Outreach needs hats please.

Thank you every one who pitched in and sent new born clothes when I sent out an appeal. We are so grateful for your love, caring and sharing.

1  of 17 precious babies born this month. 

Hours & Hours Spent

Egide and Claude are accomplished Lego builders.

This was not an easy accomplishment for these boys.

Until next time

Eight of Secondary kids home 2015-2016

4 missing

New current photo coming in August Newsletter

Bosco, Belise, Anitha, John Paul, Desere, Emmanuel, Esperance, Dada

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In closing, I leave you with this thought:

The vulnerable children of Rwanda and the world.

Opportunity is what they need. Your love. Their lives, Our world, You can make a difference.

Your most appreciated gift can be sent to the address below or use the Donate button at the upper right- hand corner of the screen:

Hope Made Real
PO Box 3222
Williamsport, PA 17701

Much love,

Mama Arlene
Director 
Urukundo Foundation/Hope Made Real

Urukundo Essay by Sarah Smith

Love. Urukundo is the Kinyarwanda word meaning love. How incredibly fitting. This astonishing school and orphanage, decked with blue and white buildings, is the creation of Mama Arlene. Immediately, we were greeted oh so enthusiastically by all of the school kids. They were so excited to shake our hands and give us hugs and high fives. One of the classes even sang their days of the week song for us! We then were led on a tour of the expansive grounds – from the school classrooms to the kids’ sleeping quarters to the dentist office in the middle of a patient visit.

All the while, Jacob, a boy maybe 3 years old, held my hand and trudged along in his black rain boots through the whole tour. Eventually, I had to break away from the group to walk him to his lunch. The group made their way to Mama Arlene’s home where we got to talk to her for a while. She told us her story of how she came to live and love Rwanda. She found herself at the Christmas church service worrying about the meal she was hosting for 75 people later that evening, she said that she “was a very busy woman, but [she] wasn’t a satisfied one.” There is a verse from Ecclesiastes that begs the question, “God has given you breath, what are you doing with it?” So, she found herself praying to get her life on a more meaningful track and she warned us, “be real careful when you pray seriously to the Lord, he may send you to Africa.”

With her newfound mission, it is easy to say that God won by unlocking the potential of a phenomenal servant, but Mama Arlene said, “God didn’t win, I did.” Now, she has a Christmas that is not about presents and is not about Santa Claus. Urukundo does those things of course but the focus is on the birth of Jesus, because that’s what it is all about. She remarked, “It’s so great to celebrate Christmas as the birth of Christ and not the birth of Santa Claus.”

Mama Arlene sees herself as “simply a Christian serving the Lord and doing [her] best to fulfill His mission.” She is carrying out this mission through operating Urukundo, a school for 465 children and a full-time home for 26. Urukundo is a safe haven for children that are without families. The pure love and care that surrounds them here is incredible. We asked Mama Arlene about adoption in Rwanda and she said international adoption isn’t allowed after Rwanda backed out of the Hague agreement due to believing that they lost too many children in the genocide. Adoption within the country is allowed but Mama Arlene said, “don’t you dare take one of my kids for someone here. When children are taken out of orphanages here, they are made to be servants and are abused as second-rate citizens.” Such a wonderful home has been fostered at Urukundo that a child whose mother was in jail but was soon to be released told Mama Arlene, “Mama, when my mother gets out of prison, I will visit her on holidays, but I’m going to stay at home with you.” Urukundo is home. Urukundo is love.

Posted with permission from author: Sarah Smith, student at Southern Methodist University

June 2017 Newsletter

Halfway through another year.  Time goes by so fast when you are busy doing what you love to do.  Urukundo continues to expand. Reaching out to more children and adults in the community through education is our top priority.

Urukundo Learning Center and The Sewing Center (a Tom Nunnally project) continues to reach young people with a career opportunity. 

 

The Dental outreach (an extension of the Drew Cahoon project) is a progressive endeavor.  Serving the public and teaching Chair side Dental Assistants as a profession.

Education is not our only outreach.

 

The Mama & Baby outreach is growing as more of the very poor are acquainted with this vital help for new mamas and their infants.

 

Sharing clothing our children have out grown with those in refugee camps is also an important outreach for our children.

 

Sharing with Our Donor Support Group

Tell It Like It Is.

Urukundo Foundation/Hope Made Real has a five (5) year plan. Expanding the school, offering education to more children in the community is a major part of that plan.

FIVE-YEAR PLAN INCLUDES: 2016-2021

Build more class rooms for Primary school

3 each year for 4 years

$40,892.00

Thanks to our donors, we completed the goal for the first year: 2016. Three class rooms completed and in use 2016.

Building on Faith.  GOD IN CHARGE.

The work began for the second year, 2017. Digging and laying the foundation is in progress.

Our contractor, Felix is a good man and trusts Urukundo Foundations word. So far our credit is good. Hope to keep it that way.

 

The metal fence in front of the building project is to protect the children from the work area since work is being done when school is in session.  These three classrooms need to be completed and ready for use by December 2017.

Help us make this project another  “Hope Made Real" please!

 

10 work days later

 

Child of the Month

Sarah's Story

Sarah’s story is a true example of GOD IN CHARGE.

A Rwandese man on his way to work was late and so decided to take a short cut across a field to get there closer to the time he was expected. On his travels he would pass a half demolished mud brick house.  It had no roof and some of the walls were destroyed by the weather.  As he hurried past the not quite house he heard a sound he did not recognize. Thinking it was a hurt animal he stopped and went closer to the structure. Looking in he saw on the mud floor a tiny naked baby girl. The little one was no more than a day old as her umbilical cord was still fresh.  He put aside his need to get to work took off his shirt and picking up the baby wrapped her in the shirt and hurried with her to the district office. Thank God he did. The district Vice Mayor then brought her to Urukundo.

When we received her it was apparent; Sarah was a very sick baby.  We recognized the symptoms and administered a heavy dosage of penicillin. The magic cure.  It is possible the mother had no money to care for a sick child. It must have been very hard for her to leave her baby girl.

After the penicillin treatment, Sarah was fine and is now a very beautiful, healthy, happy little girl.

Sarah is in Primary 3. She does well in school.

 

She loves to sing and dance.  She helps care for the younger kids, holding their hands as the come for vitamins and walking to school.

 

Sarah is learning to play the violin.  Her sponsor Keena (a violinist) gave her a gift of her first and second violin. Sarah & escorts. Two beautiful violins.  

Sarah has not decided what she will be when she is grown. That’s ok she has plenty of time.

More about David.

David came to Urukundo as a three-week-old baby boy on July 11, 2008. The mama’s were thrilled. David was precocious from the very start. He was our reason for starting our preschool Indirectly but yes he was the reason we started Urukundo Learning Center.  With help from his sponsor Meredith we enrolled David in a local preschool. David was too advanced to be staying in our nursery. David finally refused to go to that preschool because the other kids according to David “were crying babies.” He wanted to learn and that was not happening. Observation led us to discover it was simply a glorified babysitting program. There was no teaching.  We needed to get David out of there and start a teaching program of our own.

David excelled in everything and still does. He is usually first in his class. He loves studying the planets and is excited by underwater exploration. His favorite study in nature is the California Redwood Sequoia tree. He loves complicated Lego projects.

His present challenge is learning to play the guitar. He strums and sings. A bit nerve racking but a mom tolerates what makes her child happy and David is happy with his new found talent. He is improving and one day will be the expert guitar player.

We are so grateful for the child size guitars sent to us from the caring music people in the USA.

Next months child, Luki Medland

Meet Edison and brother Jerry.  

 

The boys are actually brothers. The youngest was named by me as a namesake for my son, Jerry in the USA.

The boys are sons of our Personal Manager, Juliette.

Juliette was our first mama in 2006 coming to Urukundo home for Children before we were official.  Juliette showed great potential and a desire to atain higher education. It was our privilege to send her to The School of Finance and Banking. Preparing her for employment at Urukundo Foundation as Financial Secretary and Auditor. Now several years later and a promotion Julliette works as Personal Manager for Urukundo Foundation.

After graduation from University Juliette married her love and came to work at Urukundo. She is the proud mama of those two handsome boys.

Visitors for June

Kyle Jerro is home at Urukundo for the fifth (5) year in a row. Kyle hails from several places in the US. Nevada, Texas & New Jersey. He has accomplished his Ph.D in the years he has been coming to Urukundo.

His next move is to Essex, UK and a career in teaching.  We are so proud of him. He is family and he and his family are sponsors, loving our kids. Thank you Kyle and the Jerro family.

Visitor from Indigo Non-profit

Benjiman Western is from the UK. He is one of the founders of INDIGO a non-profit for volunteers. He and his co-founder Holly came to Urukundo 3 years ago and now he is here to know the kids and programs better. In October 2017 he is bringing a team of 22 volunteers to Urukundo. This is an international team from many countries. Australia, USA, China to name a few.

Benjiman was quickly adopted into the Urukundo Family because he loves to sing and dance and plays the guitar, He teaches guitar starting with David and Luki and loves kids.

We hated to see him go. His visit was too short. FOR SURE.

Check out their website. This might be just what you are looking for.

Benjiman and Urukundo Kids exercising

 

A very welcome visitor

Alicia Warren Johnson is a graduate of North Texas University. She is a Primary 5 Science teacher at George Truett Elementary School in Dallas, Texas.  Our students hope to connect with her students as we both explore Science.  We are excited to compare the science taught in the US classroom to the science being taught at Urukundo Learning Center.

 

Alicia playing foote ball with the kids in mama’s front yard.

 

Congratulations!!

Join us in congratulating our Urukundo daughter, Lilliane Wishavura on her graduation from King’s Academy High School (secondary school) in Mohrsville, PA. She has been living in Schuylkill Haven, PA while in the US.

Lilliane has been in the USA for the past two years. We are so happy to welcome her home. Congratulations Lilliane.

 

We thank her sponsors The Stock Family & the Maroncelli Family for making this actually a “Hope Made Real” for Lilliane. You all did a fine job for our girl. Bravo!!

She will enroll in Akilah Institute for Woman starting classes in July if we can ever get through all the paper work.

Challenges are never ending. Up-date as we proceed.

Sponsors alert.

Sponsoring is not all about money (although that does help and is important) sponsoring is more about love and caring.

You can connect with your child.

The kids love to get email letters and snail mail. Mama prints the email and the kids have them to share. A short note is appreciated.

The poste is doing a better job and cards and letters do come Postal service.

Claude loves getting cards and small books from his sponsors, Donna & Roy.

Claudine is delighted. She received an email from her friend Laura and she was able to read it without any help.  The progress this little girl is making is super.

Progressing from a blind 3 year old to a seeing and reading 11 year old is indeed a tribute to her determination.

Mama makes a copy of emails addressed to the children and gives it to them. They will reply. Make a child happy. Write.

Bus Update

Bus is still in the used bus lot.  One day it will be ours.  Can’t give up. No, No, NO.

Challenges never cease

We have known for a long time wood for cooking was becoming scarce and the price for a load of wood kept going up.

Finally we need to make a change. We are investigating the possibility of going totally gas. Our bio- gas is a big help but we are not producing enough. Monday June 26 a representative of the propane gas company in Rwanda is coming to investigate our need and to give us an estimate of cost.

The tank is free. We pay installation and purchase the cooker (stove) After that we only pay for the gas. Much like in the USA I think. I am hoping it proves to be cost efficient.

We are also looking at ways to increase the output of bio-gas.

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In closing, I leave you with this thought:

The vulnerable children of Rwanda and the world.

Opportunity is what they need. Your love. Their lives, Our world, You can make a difference.

Your most appreciated gift can be sent to the address below or use the Donate button at the upper right- hand corner of the screen:

Hope Made Real
PO Box 3222
Williamsport, PA 17701

Much love,

Mama Arlene
Director 
Urukundo Foundation/Hope Made Real

May 2017 Newsletter

May was a wonderful month for Urukundo but for me personally it was not so good. Yep, this is the changing of the season when I catch a cold and cough my head nearly off. Two weeks was not enough this year. I am much better finally. Cough is gone and I am finally recovering. I think most of the cure was sitting in the sunshine. Love that Rwanda sun.

Current Events

May 1 is National Labor day in Rwanda. Urukundo celebrates it’s employees with a Foote Ball (soccer) game between:

The Village team

 

The Learning Center team

 

Spectators get very excited

This year the Learning Center Staff won 5 goals to 3.  After the match a luncheon is served to all players. Competition over friendships remain. Good sportsmanship all around.

 

Where are all our Urukundo Family children now?

Do you know?

Here are 3 that are studying in the USA. Bringing you up to date will be fun for me. Of the original family now they are young adults

# 1 Solange Nirere

 

Solange Nirere is in Texas where she finished high school and she graduated on May 13, 2017 from University Of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) with a BA in Political Science. She hopes to go to Graduate school working toward a masters in Law. Some day she will be a judge.  Solange will soon become a US citizen.

Her family at Urukundo are so proud of her and all she has accomplished. She is a role model for all the brothers and sisters while she has here. Way to go Solange! We love you!

#2 Tresor Cyubahiro

 

Tresor is an undergraduate student at Arizona State University (ASU) in the USA working toward his bachelor’s degree. He comes home to Rwanda this month, May 16, 2017 to serve an internship at Carnegie Mellon University -Africa.

Our kids are so excited especially Jacob. Tresor is his best big brother. Photo taken when Tresor was about to leave for USA after completing his internship in August, he will return to Arizona to complete his University and achieve his Bachelors of Science in Engineering.

# 3 Lilliane Wishovura

 

Lilliane is a student attending Kings Academy in Schuylkill Haven, Pennsylvania. She graduates June 10, 2017 from high school and returns home to Urukundo to attend Akilah Institute in Kigali. 

This photo is Lilliane from 3 years ago. I am eagerly waiting to see the change. June’s newsletter should have that picture. Three years does make a difference.

May's Child: Johnny's Story

Shortly after David arrived our second baby boy came. Once the door was opened we could not close it. We were blessed again. We named him, Johnny. I am thinking God opened the door and did not intend for us to close it.  Johnny was a month old when again the Police and Vise Mayor Alice came to the door carrying a bundle of distressed, kicking, crying little boy baby. He really was a big boy even at one month. He had been found in the bush. Now I am not sure exactly where that is but someone found him and brought him to the police.  The police brought him to the district and then to Urukundo and he is now and will remain part of our family.

Johnny is a passionate child and loves beautiful things. He is my flower child and every day he brings me a flower. The problem with that is he picks the flower from my flower garden and only the very best one. I could never scold him for picking my flowers. He shows his love and love is so important.

Johnny is an excellent student and has been #1 in his class through preschool and now in Primary so far.  He is an award winner.  In first grade, he got an award for being the best reader of English in his class of 70 students. He is a good athlete but likes books more than sports.

When he grows up and finishes university, he plans to become a Bank Manager. Maybe even own his own bank. Hey, we dream big. Why not?

Johnny in first grade.

John today

Johnny has become a young man and is a great, big brother to the younger children. Oh yes, he is now John not Johnny. He decided to make the change. Yep, Growing up.

FYI

Our children are delighted when they hear from their sponsors.

Claude received books from his sponsor and shared the joy with sister Rebekah.

Arrvial

Tresor arrived home as scheduled

Diescor accompanied Mama to the airport to welcome his brother home.

 

Progress at the farm

Using the materials from the house we demolished we are building more pens for the cows at the farm.  Waste not want not. Good slogan. We practice what we preach. Materials are never thrown away but recycled.

I spent the morning inspecting the farm.  This is the present housing for 5 pregnant female cows.  All 5 cows came out to greet me. How awesome is that.

Land prepared and foundation being laid for additions expected in the near future to the cow population. We are hoping for all female calves. We hope to raise a good herd of milk cows.

New construction in progress.

One week later

May 29 Progress continues

Mission Outreach For Urukundo Dental

Centre Marembo Organization is an NGO for abused, vulnerable girls and young women.

In May, Nicolete Nsabimana the Director sitting at Mama’s desk.  Nicolete Nsabimana brought 13 of the girls to Urukundo for a dental checkup and treatment.

 

After the girls’ received their dental checkup and treatment lunch was served.   

 

 

Treatment includes: fillings, cleaning, extractions, etc all were done. The next date for more of the girls to come for scanning and treatment was set. We hope this service will benefit both Centre Marembo and Urukundo in Mission.

Internship at Urukundo Village

Intern Felix Tuyigenge

His name is Felix. He is a student at University of Technology and Arts in Byumba (CUYTAB) his study is early Childhood Development minor in Social Service. Working with the children in our home and in Daycare is right down his ally. Felix will be with us for one month.

Internships can last one month to three months depending on the level of the school the student is in.

Urukundo receives interns for extra training on site at the Farm, School (Social Service, Teaching), Dental, Kitchen (Nutrition) and Home/Village.

Daycare Children 

Three of the 14 children in day care.  Jerry, these are the younger of the group playing at Mama’s house

 

He relates very well with the different age groups we have. You are most welcome Alexi. Happy to have you join us.

 

Visitors

My kids sing a song, I love and the words in the song are “Make new friends but keep the old, One is silver the other is gold.” Otto Fisher from Austria is in the Old friend category.  He is pure Gold.  It was such a pleasure having a visit with this very dear friend on April 30, 2017. He even brought me flowers and chocolate. Pampering an older citizen. How thoughtful!

More Visitors

Laurien Sibomana from University of Pittsburgh

 

Laurien and his family are Rwandan and live in Pittsburgh, Pa, USA.  He returns to Rwanda periodically working in his field of expertise.  Laurien works with Diabetes #1 patients through out Rwanda and in our local hospital. He and I and Sewing Instructor Theresa hope to establish a class at our sewing Center for his charges.  Teaching sewing to help these young people so in need of a way to make a living and to have a better life is another outreach Urukundo can do help to the community around us.

Working Volunteers

Teaching is part of the volunteer program when volunteers arrive at Urukundo. This program is not only at the school but at Urukundo Home/day care. Teaching is not just a school responsibility. Play is also a great teaching tool. Laura Rowling is teaching the P4 & P5 kids to play the board game, CLUE. All our children are exposed to and are learning Checkers, Chess, Chinese checkers, and puzzles according to age.  Dominoes, Connect 4, Mix & Match, Scrabble, and Lego’s are a few others that they learn and play. 

Kyle & Laura. They are a neat couple.

Laura teaching with kids how to play.

Kyle Uricchio is a Journalist and Musician. Our music program is so happy to have music teachers come to spend time in our teaching program. Kyle teaches guitar and piano. Working with our teacher Mr. Bonone and Ryan Sanford (Peace Corps worker) Kyle is able to add another dimension to our school of music. His time with us is short but so appreciated. Devotions in the evenings is exciting as he teaches our home kids new songs and plays and sings for them. Thank you Kyle.

Kyle, Tresor & Diescor took part in Sunday worship service.

HAPPY REUNION

Laura, Talia enjoy a reunion with Divine.  This is Laura’s second visit to Urukundo.

Talia is our top volunteer. This year marks 10 visits in 10 years for her. She is a blessing to us and we look forward to her return each year. She has grown up with our kids

Talia is a graduate of Penn State University USA and has a bachelor’s degree in African Studies. 

Final photo before departure

Visitor from Germany.

Kathirn Hegger is working in the Rwaza District of Rwanda. She met Divine and decided to pay us an overnight visit. Her visit was short but very good. Our kids liked her very much.

Important Need-Bus!

The bus is priority at this time!  Please consider sending some funding to help either with the purchase of the much needed bus!

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In closing, I leave you with this thought:

The vulnerable children of Rwanda and the world.

Opportunity is what they need. Your love. Their lives, Our world, You can make a difference.

Your most appreciated gift can be sent to the address below or use the Donate button at the upper right- hand corner of the screen:

Hope Made Real
PO Box 3222
Williamsport, PA. 17701

Much love,

Mama Arlene
Director 
Urukundo Foundation/Hope Made Real

April Special: Little House

Thanks to you all for the feedback and questions.  I do appreciate it.  To answer your questions about the little house.  

The little house was where I lived after moving out of the boys house in 2010.   We had converted it into a Kindergarten class room after I moved to the present house.   I bought my present house with my money saved for my old age in 2012 at age 80 thinking this might be my old age. 

The little house was not well built and the foundation was shifting and the walls cracking. It was no longer safe for the kids. 

This is the new classrooms for the students who were in the little house.  It was built before we demolished the little house.  In the picture you can see the little house is still there.  Now it is gone.

In this photo you can see the first preschool classrooms the empty space where the little house was and the new building.

Hope this gives you a clearer picture of the changes made.

Please consider sending some funding to help either with the purchase of the much needed bus or building the new class rooms, an ongoing project filling the open space in the photos. 

The bus is priority at this time we have $7,000 & to buy the bus the goal is $16,000. $9,000 to go.

Can you or your family help?   Any gift to help would be appreciated.

Lots of love,

Mama Arlene

April 2017 Newsletter

April has begun already. This is the month Urukundo honors those who died in the genocide with the loud cry of: NEVER AGAIN. This is heartfelt in this beautiful land.

The Christian world remembers the death of Christ on the cross and whispers THANK YOU LORD. He is risen our joy should be loud and joyous.

New Newsletter Features:

It is my desire to keep everyone current so here it goes. We will start to include stories about our children. The first one is David, our very first baby.

Telling the Tale

At present Urukundo Home has fifty-two children; we hold as family. Twenty-five are between the ages of sixteen and twenty four. Four of these are gainfully employed and call Urukundo home. Nine of these are in University and eleven attend Secondary School coming home during school breaks. There are twenty-three under the age of twelve. Some of these children have no extended family in Rwanda. Others have dysfunctional families. We are dedicated to not only feeding, housing, and loving these children but also educating and raising them to be happy healthy citizens.

Our Learning Center has 585 students from Preschool to Grade 5. Grade 6 class rooms are ready for 2018 students who will finish Grade 5 in November 2017. Only 23 of the students in Urukundo Learning Center are from our family. The rest, 562, are from the community. Watch for further updates in May newsletter. It is my hope to keep you, our readers better informed. Letting you know what your gifts and donation are doing in Rwanda.

April's Child: David's Story

David was our first baby. When I went into this ministry, I told God I would not take children under seven years of age.  Also I would only take girls. Be very careful what you tell God what you will or will not do. My God has a divine sense of humor. I am sure he laughed and shook his head as he saw my plan & the plan he had for me.

Had the Policeman and Vise Mayor called me on the phone, and by this time we did have cell phones, and ask me to take a baby I would have said “No, we are not equipped to care for babies.”  They were smarter than that.  They came knocking at my door. Opening the door, I was face to face with a very tall policeman and in his arms he held a very tiny baby. Stretching out his arms he handed me the baby saying, “This baby needs a home. Can you help us?” One look at the tiny face and my heart was gone. Thus babies entered Urukundo Home for Children. To date we have had 26 infants become a part of our Urukundo family.

These babies are not throw away babies, they are "thrown to us" babies. They are found in the bushes, in ditches, along paths, in abandoned run down shacks and in the living rooms much to the surprise of the people who live in the house.  David came in as a 3-week-old baby and is now in fourth grade. He is an excellent student. His curiosity about every thing including the Universe is awesome. We are blessed to have David as part of our family.

Until next time I am sincerely and thankfully yours.

Mama Arlene

PS: Feedback would be appreciated as to the value of such a feature, please send that feedback to Arlene@hopemadereal.org

Work in progress: P4, P5 and P6 fence.

Work began on fence April 1, 2017

The fence is to protect the school children from falling over the embankment on to the road below. It's a long drop. The improvement is permanent.

Looking good on April 3rd.

 

Looking better on April 21.  

Inside view April 21.

 

Road side view April 21.

We Need Your Help

Still thinking about a gift for the much needed Bus? “Actions speak louder than thoughts.” Funding is needed. Our aim is for 16000 USD. We have $6580 USD. Please help us reach our goal.

 

Friday Mornings

This is a typical Friday morning from 9 to 11 at Mama’s house.  Each morning a different age group comes to play with Mama, Lambert, and Olive.  These children are in the daycare and afternoon Kindergarten class. What fun they are. They spend one hour in Mama’s living room.

One hour doing sports in the front yard.

Oh, to have the energy of these little ones.

 

Recognition

So very proud of Deborah. Not only is she beautiful but she is smart academically. Deborah has a goal.

She intends to study law and be the best Rwanda Lawyer.  She will be a credit to our family and her country.

 

Mama & Baby Outreach Report

Mama brings her 4 month old twin girls to Urukundo Home to say THANK YOU!

Nickese & Nikita

We supplied clothing for 26 newborn babies in April.  Baby below dressed in gifts from you, who help us make a difference. This picture touched my heart.

 

Building a School

Progress some times hurts.  For you who have been here you know Mama lived in this little house. Now it must make way for new classrooms for the expansion program at the school. I know how important this is but a bit of nostalgia just the same.

Room enough for 3 more classrooms.

 

House gone and land is ready for developing. When this construction is completed 140 more community children will be able to enroll in URUKUNDO LEARNING CENTER.

Additional Changes and Improvements

Our library is great but the reading and study area were very small.

From the above photos to the new photos below.

Simply removing a wall and adding some paint can make such a difference and it is cost effective.  This is the new study and reading area. Now there is ample space for kids, books, and teachers. The new computer section of the library will soon be on the left wall. 

There is still a space for a smaller study group among the book shelves.

Visitor

Max Attal from NYC came to visit Urukundo & Mama.  Max is joining Urukundo family. Happy to have him on board as a friend to Urukundo Foundation/Hope Made Real.

Easter Special

 

Pastor Leonard from Presbyterian Church and two of his children visited Urukundo during his break from school.  Pastor Leonard has been part of our family since 2006.  We were blessed to have him.

 

He gave the sermon on Easter Sunday.

Looking forward to what is in store for May. Spring in Pennsylvania is a beautiful time. We will be going into the dry season in Rwanda now. Flowers grow during the dry season but we like the wet because that is when vegetables are planted and harvested.

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In closing, I leave you with this thought:

The vulnerable children of Rwanda and the world.

Opportunity is what they need. Your love. Their lives, Our world, You can make a difference.

Your most appreciated gift can be sent to the address below or use the Donate button at the upper right- hand corner of the screen:

Hope Made Real
PO Box 3222
Williamsport, PA. 17701

Much love,

Mama Arlene
Director 
Urukundo Foundation/Hope Made Real

March 2017 Newsletter

March became a month of activities.

A delegation from Kigali Dental University came this month. The delegation included Home Girl, Valli Meeks from Philadelphia and University of Maryland in Baltimore, MD.   

They brought uniforms for our Dental Therapist to wear saving her personal clothing. Thank you team.

 

Introducing Lion Sanord

R is pronounced L in Kinyarwanda so Ryan becomes Lion.

Ryan is in Rwanda with Pease Corps and Urukundo is his second project. Reminiscent of when Meredith Lu was with us so very long ago. We are indeed grateful for their becoming a part of our Urukundo family.

Ryan is working with the Music program at the school and also with our kid’s choir for worship.

He tells me our guitar is high quality and he prefers it to his own. WOW! We are so blessed to have received such a gift.

 

The Falke team arrived and was with us for 21 days. It was an exciting 21 days for the school and for our home children.  Team members this year; Marilyn, Kim, Carol can you find them in the picture?

 

Helen Kwiskin joined the team for several days near the end of their visit.

 

They started the visit with our first ever Pajama Party

Truly they brought Pajamas for all the kids even the big adult kids and the response from our children was awesome. Thank you all who contributed to the PJ Funding Project.

Have you ever seen such a sight?

 

The gift of pajamas came with our visitors from the USA. All the children put on their new pajamas and came to Mama’s house for devotions.  They were so very happy. What a wonderful gift and so appreciated by the children, Mamas, and me.

During the singing at the PJ devotions.  Kavine presents her baby doll while we sang, "He holds the Itty Bitty baby in his hands” You know the song and it is loved by the children. HE HOLDS THE WHOLE WORLD IN HIS HANDS.

Teacher Kim taught devotions that evening from the book of the same name.

We had the best PJ PARTY EVER. 

 

Science projects at the home especially about space, stretch the mind.  Making Rockets with teacher, Kim.

 

Preparing to Rocket to the moon. What fun making your very own rocket.

Ready for blast off.

 

To the moon.

In flight

 

ICDL Project News

ICDL Proctor Viateur is officially certified to teach ICDL Computer training for businesses. The first class has been initiated at Urukundo Village. This class is open to the public and to businesses that need their employees better able to use computers more efficiently.

 

Olivier, our fental therapist and Théogen, our head teacher for Preschool, were two learning the new skills. 

 

Adaline, school office secretary; I'rene, head master; I’rene, librarian; Julliette, human resources; Eric, staff secretary and; Jean Marie, executive director were all benefiting from this resource as well.

 

Computers for this class were donated by Forest Hills Rotary and the first 10 students from our staff were sponsored by Waverly Presbyterians in Pittsburgh. Coordinator for the project is Bob Dove also from Rotary and Presbyterian in Pittsburgh. Thank you all for making this possible

Recent High School graduate Pacifique (Dada) received her gift bible for a job well done.

Prince receives a special gift from his Education Sponsor

 

Kaboss when he came to our family and Kaboss now. My how he has grown.

 

Jacob and Livine on the winning team. Jacobs first foote Ball (soccer) game. 4 years old and already a winner. Sister Livine is proud & happy.

 

Soso the first grader. Ready and raring to go.

Mama & Baby House 

Special prayers for this 1 day old little one who came to Mama and Baby mission outreach.  She weighted 1 Kilo or 2 lbs and is in serious condition. Her mama brought her to Urukundo. She is so tiny.  She will return to the hospital for further care. We hope to have an update when more is known.

 

Marilyn Ely, Mama & Baby gift bearer, visited the Birthing Center working with Urukundo and holds a precious new born

One of 28 babies born in March.

Special Day

Last but at the very top of our lists of events.

On March 30, 2017,  Jean Marie Ntwire officially received his Bachelors Degree in Business Management and Auditing.  There were over 300 in the graduating classes at the graduation ceremony. Health & Nutrition, Computer science, Business Management, Finance & Auditing, Sociology and I am sure there ae a few I don’t remember. The weather did not cooperate as it rained hard for the first 2 hours delaying the 8:30 am start. Well what can you expect it is the rainy season after all?  After that it tried to clear up with only a slight drizzle from time to time.

Picture taking was difficult.

This degree is one more step to a successful future for him and Urukundo Home & Learning Center.  Congratulations Jean Marie. How proud we were to share this day with him!

 

Oswald from our UF board, his wife Larissa and older brother J M Uwamahoro, his daughter Lana Arlene  & I were in cheering section.

 

Departure day for Carol, Kim & Helen. Marilyn left a bit earlier

Leaving is never easy. It has been a wonderful learning and fun filled 21 days.

The kids are looking forward to next year when the Falke team will return. I am sure it will have new member along with the team alumni. 

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In closing, I leave you with this thought:

The vulnerable children of Rwanda and the world.

Opportunity is what they need. Your love. Their lives, Our world, You can make a difference.

Your most appreciated gift can be sent to the address below or use the Donate button at the upper right-hand corner of the screen:

Hope Made Real
PO Box 3222
Williamsport, PA. 17701

Much love,

Mama Arlene
Director
Urukundo Foundation/Hope Made Real

Help make their world a better place.

February 2017 Newsletter

February is a mix bag.  The first 14 days in the USA was spent seeing doctors, family, and friends.

A special treat was seeing my Rwandan daughter, Lilliane & my friend, Larry while I was in Williamsport during my recovery time.  It was great to hold Lilliane in my arms. Hugs are so great.

 

My last week in Pittsburgh, mother nature gave me a real show. Snow, Snow, Snow!

 

Beautiful but cold!

Home Sweet Home

The last days of February were spent in Rwanda at Urukundo Village with my kids.  What a joyful reunion!  Group Hug! In case you don’t know, I‘m the one with the white hair.

 

Posters welcoming me home.

 

Paint by Sticker.  The kids created these lovely posters with this Magical Art Form. They really are lovely.

 

Special event

Graduation day for Serephine.

Serephine graduated from Esther’s Aide School of Culinary Arts.

 

Please be sure to visit Esther’s Aid Rwanda website and watch the short video clip below. 

 

Secondary school graduates in 2016

During worship, we acknowledged the achievement of our graduates. That means they passed the National Exam. This is one tough exam. Believe me, I could not pass it.

Cecelia, Dada, Serephine, Emanuel are our most recent graduates.  Congratulations to all. Thank you sponsors! Without you this could not have happened.

 

Visitors

Tshana

Our volunteer from Boston, originally from Jersey Shore, PA, Tshana Jamara is carrying on a family tradition. Tshana is the granddaughter of John and Sally Guiswite. John and Sally were at Urukundo and physically helped build the boy’s & girl’s homes. Now Tshana’s dad and Mom need to pay us a visit to make it a true 3 generations thing. How about it Mike and Shelly?

Precious photo filled with love. Come back soon Tshana!

Visitors from Canada

Dr. Troy, son Kyle, wife Charmaine Michelson and Kyle’s friend Teigan Simpson traveled from Canada to volunteer at Urukundo.

Dr. Troy and Charmaine worked in the dental clinic.  79 Patients were seen & treated in 3 days. Thank you Dr. Troy & Charmaine!  The boys volunteered at the school. We so appreciated their time with us.

They congratulated Serephine and had a photo taken with her.

Teigan and Kyle posed with Mama. Thanks guys.

Tom Sorenson, Dentist & Christa Mather, Dental Hygienist. Their visit was only 3 hours. Although short it was a good visit to meet them and show them our clinic. 

 

URGENT NEED

GET ON BOARD THE URUKUNDO BUS

This one is for sale.

Never thought Urukundo school would have this need. Imagine Urukundo Learning Center needs a bus to transport kids safely to and from school and to sport competitions.  Our little school has grown and continues to grow. The bus available to purchase in Rwanda is pictured above. Cost $15,000 USD. Need a school or mission project? JUST WANT TO DO Something TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE. Please consider donating to this special need. The need is urgent for the safety of the children coming to our school.

Ellen Galloway

Jason and Janette have an escort to keep them safe walking to school.

Ellen is a long time friend of Urukundo. Her's was the first stone on the “Path to Learning”.  She is also editor for the book Mama and her daughter Patricia are collaborating on.  She is editing “Mama’s Memoirs” and “Moments with Mama” more about the books later.

Adventures in mission

Dakota’s team

Visitors in February include these young women.  Shavon, Dakota, Casy from the USA. Mhain from Scotland. Meladie from France. The girls spent 9 days with the children, working at the school and farm. Three of the girls learned how to milk a cow.  Their comment  “Not easy”

Girls walking the kids to school. This is a daily delightful part of being at Urukundo Village. 

Mama & Baby house

Thank you everyone who answered my appeal for newborn clothing for our infants. The supply was completely gone.  Now we can again give the gift of love to welcome our newborn infants.

While giving to the newborns, we also send gifts to the older children in the family. This is an amazing mission outreach.

Rwanda Wedding

One of our farm cowboys, Gilbert married on Feb 25, 2017. It was a real Rwanda wedding with bad roads lovely country and a very long walk. No, I did not go. Many of the younger staff represented me. I thank them.

The very long walk. Car could not get to the site of the celebration so I could not go.

Beautiful bride and groom.

Urukundo Staff presenting gifts to Gilbert and his bride.

The staff honoring their brother in Urukundo Family

Good News of important progress for education.

Pastor Leonard from Impushi Presbyterian Church is a family man and a student aiming for higher education. He has his first very own computer. It will help him do his documents required for school.

He was able to get the computer on credit through a project by the government to help and encourage more older and younger students to go further in education. Leonard will pay for the computer after graduation. Much like student loans in the USA. Leonard has been part of the Urukundo Family a very long time.

He was our very first Rwandan volunteer. Some may remember when Urukundo gave goats to the older women in the congregation.

His daughter was one of the first students at Urukundo Learning center. Leonard is much loved at Urukundo Home for Children.

I was delighted when he came to Urukundo Village to share with me his joy about the computer. He is a good friend.

Worship at Urukundo this morning Feb. 26 was awesome.

We had visitors from USA, Germany, Scotland, France and Peace Corps. We were so blessed.

Lyle the young man in the group is here with Peace Corp serving in another area and came to introduce himself to Urukundo.  He intends to come often and what a blessing “He plays the guitar and is willing to teach our kids. We need Instrumental teachers. We have the instruments but not the teachers.

Angelique Westmark is back. This is her second visit. Many of you will remember Lennart, her guitar and singing son. This time Lennart could not come so Mama Angelique came alone.

Divine is serving as her driver. Yes, Divine has worked hard and has her license to drive. Awesome!

Small photo shoot to end the newsletter for this month.

Benita is all smiles. She has a watch. Pretend one.

David getting tall.

Jennett #1 drummer

January 2017 Newsletter

January newsletter will be a bit different.  Missing my Urukundo kids so very much.

To keep you all current. I am in Pittsburgh, USA.  Thanks to Dr. Tomy in Kigali and his concern, I came to the USA to find out why my legs were swelling. The doctors here diagnosed blood clots in both legs.  That means a heavy dose of blood thinners for 21 days and then a lesser dose for a year.

 

Looking good. My hospital stay was short. I am now home with Patricia. We found the problem and treatment was started in time. There is so much work yet to do.

View from my bedroom window in USA. Cold is not my favorite thing.

Homesick

This mama is a bit homesick so I requested photos of the kids.  Next morning the children sent a group picture to mama so she would not miss them so much.

I am sharing them with all of you.

 

January 1, 2017, found the children in devotions.  Luki was the teacher on this special day.  Big brother Olivier led the children in prayer.

 

Playing marbles on the porch.

 

Water colors are such fun and messy.

 

Kids received a second construction set with balls and rods. Now we have a set in Mama’s house and in the boys play room of the boy's house.

 

They are such fun.

Janette, Jacob & Jason

 

This baby’s mama brought the little one to visit. This was delightful. Only one problem. Mister Soso refused to give the baby back to the mother. He felt the infant needed to live with us. He is a very cute baby and we would love him but he needs to live with his mama.

 

It does help to know things go on as usual even if I am not there.  Tuesday and Thursday is the day the younger children play in Mama’s living room.  They all have favorite toys, puzzles and books that wait for them to come.

Lunch is over and even the smallest help do the dishes and clean up. Janette is starting early.

 

Project For 2017

Increasing our capacity to accept more preschoolers means construction of two more classrooms on the top level.

 

Faith is the driving factor for Urukundo Village. The need is so great and the preschoolers so many. 

Please consider helping. We need funding to complete these two classrooms to make space in our preschool to accept more needy children and guarantee education for vulnerable children in our community.

 

David teaches lesson at evening devotions.  These kids are awesome. Diescor, Lambert, and Auntie Betty are helping out.

Posing for a picture to send Mama

 

Claude in the school uniform, 

 

Janette and Jason are now students at Urukundo Learning Center.

These two three year olds are so happy. Now they can walk with the big kids and stay at school. They have also moved from the nursery to the big houses. This is much like a graduation.  Only big kids live in the Girls house and Boys house. They are now big kids.

Preschool bunch. First day of school 2017  Awesome kids.

 

The Farm growing

Newborn piglets on the farm while I am away.  Things continue change even when I am not there.

 

Mama & Baby House

Some of the newborns born in January.  As I mentioned before nothing stops because I am away.

 

Visitors in January

Urukundo Home and Learning Center was honored by a visit from the Honorables of Rwanda Parliament.  They toured the campus, visited with the kids and I am told their report on Urukundo will be very favorable.

We thank them for coming!

 

Honoring Tom Nunnally

 

While in Pittsburgh, Forest Hills Rotary invited me to speak at a dinner honoring Tom Nunnally.  I was so pleased to be there for this event. Tom is missed by so many including Urukundo Kids.

Waverly Presbyterian team

Team members and spouses treated Mama to a evening of remembering Urukundo and exchanging memories of their visit to Urukundo in September 2016. It was a fun evening with lots of good fellowship and very good food.

 

Bob and Amy Dove picked me up for worship at Waverly the following Sunday and Waverly served a Pecan tort at coffee hour. It actually has “Welcome Mama Arlene” written on it. The cake was very good but the icing covered with pecans was delicious.

 

What's Next?

February is about to begin and then only 16 days and I will be home in Rwanda. I am looking forward to the warm weather. I love my family here in the US but in January it is too cold.

I love my Urukundo family and the weather is great.

I keep saying “I will not come to the US in winter” and every time I say I won’t it just happens so I am not saying that this time.  God in Charge

Devotions at Urukundo

If you can open this video it is worth the listen.

 

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In closing, I leave you with this thought:

The vulnerable children of Rwanda and the world.

Opportunity is what they need. Your love. Their lives, Our world, You can make a difference.

Your most appreciated gift can be sent to the address below or use the Donate button at the upper right-hand corner of the screen:

Hope Made Real
PO Box 3222
Williamsport, PA. 17701

Much love,

Mama Arlene
Director
Urukundo Foundation/Hope Made Real

Help make their world a better place.