Now last, but not least, I give you an Urukundo fashion show.
These Urukundo fashion treasures will be part of the celebration in Pittsburgh on April 27 and 28.
Come meet and greet me, Mama Arlene, and learn more about Urukundo, the foundation based on love. Translated, Urukundo is the Rwandan word for love.
Mama Arlene
Ready to support the children???
We are honoring the martial arts this month.
Our karate kids are looking good.
On my right is Eugene, Urukundo’s farm manager and instructor for the karate students.
Black belts are hard to earn. From our karate school, we have eight. I have yet to even be given the proper clothes so I have no belt.
What makes P6 boys happy? Of course, a gift of much needed sports balls. These arrived and are so appreciated.
We are grateful.
Volleyball, basketball and soccer balls.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
October was a very busy time for Urukundo. Before I tell you about the month, I’d like to share an announcement.
I am planning to come to the USA in late March and stay through April and May.
I hope to visit many of you while I am there.
If you would be interested in hosting me during that time, please get in touch with my daughter, Patricia Brown, pdbrown@spiritworks.org or phone 1 (412) 999-1912. Please also copy me arlene@hopemadereal.org.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Thank you.
In Divine’s words:
"Dreams do come true! (Like Mama Arlene Brown always says). Today one of my dreams came true. It was an honor to meet Mbabazi Esther, Rwanda’s first female pilot). She’s always been my idol. I have always looked up to her, inspired by her story, her success and involvement in "the aviation industry”!! Being able to talk to her in person and share so many different stories and ideas was a dream come true and made me feel extremely ambitious to succeed. I feel one step closer to achieving my aviation goals. She is an amazing person and hopefully we will meet again soon. Thank you so much, Mama, for all your support! You are my hero."
