Much ado about buses

In 2017, Urukundo purchased its first bus. We had money for only a small bus.

It has been our policy to purchase only what we have funding to pay for. We purchased this little bus (minibus).

Then we were able to purchase a big bus. With the big bus plus the minibus, we are able to plan field trips, sports events and special outings for our school children and staff.

A third bus was needed.

The news just got better.

Thanks to Rotary Club of Forest Hills, Pennsylvania, USA, and The Rotary Club of Wilkinsburg, Pennsylvania, USA, funding has arrived to purchase another big bus.

Starting the school year in 2019, we will have a minibus and two big buses for transporting our children. The buses also are a source of revenue as rentals on weekends.

The new bus is now in the garage being painted, and we are in the process of hiring another driver. It will be in service for start of school on Jan. 14, 2019.

The parking space at the school for the new bus will have a plaque saying, "In memorandum of Tom Nunnally, donated by the Rotary Clubs of Forest Hills and Willkinsburg, Pa.”

Special staff event

A special event in 2018 was for the Urukundo Village support staff. This included office staff, home mamas, kitchen staff, farmers, guards and cleaners. Two big buses were needed for the trip to the King’s Palace in Nyanza and dinner after the tour. This was the first time for many of the staff to visit this wonderful part of their history.

Special dancing cows at the palace.

Community Christmas on Dec. 21

Christmas for community children was a bit overwhelming. We knew it would be more than last year, but the over 600 who attended was more than we expected.

Kids arrived early, waiting for doors to open at 1:30 p.m.

Seating plan went well.

Hope House is full and runneth over.

Overflow. On outside retaining wall and steps.

All children were served inside and outside.

We decided that we could not use chairs this year. Mats were placed on the floor in Hope House. Benches were along the far wall for teens. Chairs on platform were for mamas with babies.

Ok now we are ready. We think.

Boxed milk, meat sumbosa and juice for those who cannot tolerate milk were the treats for the day.

Entertaining so many children, it was necessary to have not only a system to serve refreshments but also to give gifts and have an exit setup so that there was crowd control. Interesting!!

Plan A. Give refreshments, collect trash. Girls line up for Door No. 1.

Boys line up for Door No. 2.

Receive gift, exit building. It worked.

Didn’t need Plan B.

Door No. 1 girls.

Door No. 2 boys.

Executive secretary Eric and Johnny.

Claude, Luki, Aline, David, Soso and John helped serve the kids and did the outside cleanup after the finish. They did a great job. Thanks, guys.

Ready for Christmas

Claude, Aline, Luki, Claudine, Egide, John, David, Diane and Soso

The Big Wait

(l-r) Oliver, Abais and Bosco

They are waiting for the results of national secondary exams.

Love this one.

Sunday before Christmas

Urukundo kids’ choir includes Kenny, Kenilla, Kevine and Benita, who are home for Christmas. So happy.

Community kids’ choir

Christmas Day service

Cast takes a bow.

Narrator: Claude

Mary: Aline

Joseph: Bosco

Soldier: Kenny

Angel: Claudine

Innkeeper No.1: David

Innkeeper No. 2: Kenilla

Shepherds: Diane and Luki

Wise men: John, Egide and Soso

Star: Kevine

University choir

Divine found a friend.

Sharing Christmas

Sharing the love. Older brothers and sisters (university and secondary) were chosen by a younger one to receive and open their gifts together. The joy on the younger kids faces tell the success of this.

It’s all about Jesus.

Our permanent residents, at least until April.

November 2018 Newsletter

First of all, it’s the end of the fiscal year. Do you need a tax deduction? Please consider Hope Made Real.

We are a 501(c)3 non-profit in the USA. You can donate on our website, or mail a donation to

Hope Made Real

PO Box 3222

Williamsport, Pa. 17701

Thank you. Mama Arlene

Hi everyone,

The last days of October were very busy for the team from Saint Johns-Newberry UMC, Williamsport and South Williamsport UMC.

The team joined our children in the monthly cleanup day. Umuganda is the last Saturday of the month. This day is designated by the president to keep Rwanda clean. Our hard-working kids taught Tom, Kent and Theresa how it is done. Good work guys.

The ladies did their turn and wrapped and tagged Christmas gifts for our kids.

Lori, Becky, Lynell, Theresa, Kent and Tom added string to crosses to be added to the Christmas packages at worship for the community kids.

I am grateful for the help we received.

Blessings abound at the Dental Clinic

This month, the Dental Clinic had a visit from one of the original founders and our source of encouragement.

Dr. Valli I. Meeks, DDS, MS, RDH, is an Associate Professor of Oncology and Diagnostic Sciences in the School of Dentistry at the University of Maryland.

Dr. Valli Meeks returned for the third  time to Urukundo. She and her co-worker Dr. Salih Sawsan of Harvard University were instrumental in the startup of Urukundo Dental Clinic.

Valli and Oliver, our Dental Therapist.

Valli is a Pennsylvania girl, hailing from Philadelphia. She is for me “Home Girl”.

Thank you Bruce & Margie Krogh for packing and transporting dental supplies donated to Urukundo Dental Clinic by Aaron Ptak, who is the District Operations Manager at Pittsburgh Plant #9072, Patterson Dental.

Thank you Patterson Dental and especially Aaron for spearheading this gift of giving.

Margie says there is more to come. Suitcase weight can be restrictive in air travel!

We also thank Dr Lisa Fonas, DMD, for her donations for our Dental Clinic. Dr Lisa is a practicing dentist in Pittsburgh, Pa.  She is acquainted with Urukundo Dental Clinic through Dr Bob Dove and his wife Amy.

This is the much-needed equipment received from Dr. Lisa. It’s amazing that each sent item was so needed, and did not duplicate what we already had. Thank you Dr. Lisa!

We are still in need of a hand held X-Ray. I really don’t know a lot about this x-ray, but I am told by our clinic staff that we really need one in the Dental Clinic. A new or good used machine would fill the bill.

Sport Event

We do have an active adult Foote Ball (Soccer) team.  This was a competition between our staff and the Sunday Foote Ball Club.

Our team and fans. The team is made up of teachers, guards, kitchen crew, our Pastor and office staff. They are an awesome bunch.

At the Daycare

A new and exciting toy! You have to be a little kid to really get excited about the experience at the daycare.

Crawling through a tunnel. What fun! The problem is when one starts and half way through decides to go back. Then there’s a traffic jam. This is not a good toy for grown ups!

Graduation 2018

All non-graduating and graduate students gather at school for the parade to the foote ball field.

Students and graduates coming together.

Starting the parade to the site of graduation. Ready, set, go!

Kindergarten Graduates and the Preschool teacher, Erneste.

Primary 6 graduated, pictured with the Primary English teacher, Ignace.

Sewing Center Graduates with the teacher of tailoring, Desire.

Walking the distance from the Learning Center road to Mama’s gate.

Mama & Pastor Yves join the Kindergarten parade at Mama’s gate. We’re so happy that the road was completed before this event.

Primary 6 graduates, Mama and Pastor Yves.

Sewing Center, Mama & Pastor. The walkway beside Mama’s house leading into the compound from the main road.

Entering the Foote Ball field.

The Kindergarten is seated.

After seating the Kindergarten class the parade proceeds, with P6, Sewing Center & undergraduates arriving at the field.

Music Program and the New Music Director, Emmanuel

Recorders and flutes in the school P5 & P6 chorus.

Students show their skill on the violin, the bells, and the xylophone.

Drums.

The Director of Music struts his stuff. Good job.

The drum set we rented. Next year we hope to have our own.

P1 through P4 chorus.