I arrive in Pittsburgh on March 15. What an exciting time for me! Seeing friends and family during the six weeks I am in the USA is my pleasure. I return to Urukundo on June 1.
Wonder what this is about? Come to Pittsburgh April 27 and 28 and find out.
A full schedule of my time can be obtained by emailing me at arlene@hopemadereal.org .
Be happy to send it to you.
Lots of love,
Mama Arlene
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Our Master of Ceremonies was Remy Paul Dushime, teacher of English.
The Headmaster of Urukundo Learning Center, Irene Dushimana.
The Vice President of the Parent-Teacher committee, Dilexi Birasa Aloys.
Our Guest of Honor was Valerie D Mukamutari, Exective Secretary of the Cyeza Sector.
Mama with Olive translating.
The speakers for Kindergarten Talia Ruremesha and Hope Bertha Isingizwe.
Talia gives Mama a hug.
The Cultural Dancing Club.
The girls in the National Cultural Dance group put on a great show!
The boys in the National Cultural Dance group.
Backing singers for the Cultural Dance group.
The Precision Marching group.
More marching.
French club.
Benita receiving her certificate.
Emily receives her certificate. She’s now in Primary 1.
Jacob almost lost his hat but hangs on to his certificate!
Kindergarten.
Sewing Center. Certificates for all. So proud of them.
Although P6 graduated from Urukundo Learning Center, they will receive their certificates after the results of the National Exams.
Some of the non-graduating students who are participating in the graduation ceremony.
