New bathroom with tile, new toilet and shower for the comfort of our guests. Hey, it may not seem like a big thing. For Urukundo and our guests, it is.
We welcomed many visitors, interns and volunteers during the year. Each is so appreciated.
These are just the highlights of 2018. I want to thank all friends of Urukundo/ Hope Made Real for making 2018 a good year.
What challenges will come in 2019?
Already accomplished is a second big bus for the primary school.
Hopes and expectations:
• Expand the library.
• Enlarge Hope House for use as worship center. Congregation continues to grow.
• Build four more classrooms for primary school. Possible two-story building.
• Look at the possibility of a secondary school.
• Update our guest house facilities.
Joseph, his wife and daughters started Urukundo’s year on Jan. 1 with a special gift of provisions from his employer, Gorilla Feed Co. Ltd. Its theme is “Let’s Grow Together.”
The gift included rice, baking flour, maize flour, corn oil, packaged milk and wash soap.
This gift of provisions is so appreciated.
Andrea Manor returned to visit Urukundo along with Nancy Gutierrez. The girls are from California, and Andrea was here in 2016 as an intern with GO ED.
Andrea plays Uno with John and Egide.
A new jumping game. How high can you jump?
Visitor from Uganda
Richard Hatasha is a student at Buganda Royal Institute of Business and Technical Education. His major is accounting. His goal is to care for vulnerable children in Uganda. We were happy to welcome this enterprising young man.
Richard (middle) flanked by Abias and Olivier.
The school year started Jan. 14. Urukundo Learning Center enrolled 864 students.
Urukundo Home’s children ready and prepared.
Egide, Claudine, John, David, Joyce, Soso and Diane. Super kids.
Claude, Luki and Aline started secondary school. Claude and Luki are at St. Bernadette Secondary School, about 30 minutes travel time from home.
Boys on campus.
On way to dorm.
Long walk. Mama followed in car.
Aline at her new school.
Students, Have mattress, will travel.
Aline in school uniform and waiting for room assignment.
Our medical student, Diescor Kirenga, is serving an internship at the University Teaching Hospital of Butare. He is a student at the University of Gitwe School of Medicine. He did not make it home for the holiday. He did get home later, looking every bit the doctor modeling his Christmas gift.
Solange Nirere came to Urukundo in 2006. She was 12 years old. One of the first of my girls. She moved to McAllen, Texas, in 2012 for health reasons (asthma), finished high school and graduated from the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley in 2017 with a bachelor’s degree in political science. She is currently enrolled in its graduate program in political science. She expects to earn her master’s in political science in 2020. She is now 25 years old.
On Jan. 9, Solange took an oath and became an American citizen.
Solange and her best friend and lawyer, Ana Villegas, celebrate this momentous occasion.
So proud Solange is now an American.
Claudine visited Dr. Piet Noe.
Claudine was 4 years old when she had eye surgery by Dr. Noe.
Claudine is a 13-year-old now and saw Dr. Noe at the new eye hospital for an eye exam and new glasses.
On March 15, 2019, I will arrive in the USA. I am looking forward to spring in Pennsylvania.
March, April and May are special months as it is a time of renewal after a long winter.
This visit is basically for visiting Urukundo and personal friends and my family as well as for telling the continuing story of Urukundo Foundation and encouraging others to become part of our support system for this mission.
My home base will be Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, with my daughter, Dr. Patricia Brown.
I hope to see many of you during the two and a half months I will be home in the USA.
More details as plans continue to progress.
Happy New Year 2019!
December is a special month in Rwanda. It is a time when all students are on holiday from school and play is on the agenda.
Our kids thought making a new word would be a good way to start December. In Mama’s rock garden.
The birth of Jesus is a very important event for Urukundo kids and the world.
New word for December. Precious stones.
Starting the new year, nine of our children remain in our home.
Three of them -- Claude, Aline and Luki -- are waiting for their national exam results and then will be going to secondary boarding school. They will return to Urukundo for school holidays. As is normal, we will share them with their families.
Claude, Aline and Luki.
David has been given permission from his foster family to stay home with us and attend Primary 6 here rather than disrupt his education in the last year of primary.
Of the children who have moved on to other families Jacob, Prince, Kevine, Banita and possible Rebekah will live close enough to be students at Urukundo Learning Center.
Wearing the stocking is more fun than hanging it.
Raziella in day care at Urukundo thinks so.
A necklace is decoration for tree. The hat is a bit big but even more fun.
