Beliza, Esperance, Claude, Luki and Aline. The first two are high school juniors by USA standards while the others are high school freshmen.
Special event for Urukundo
Auntie Delphine’s wedding was indeed a special event. So sorry I missed it. Delphine was the first Urukundo employee in 2006.
A bridal shower was given by her coworkers at Urukundo Village.
After a surprise, you shed tears. Tradition, I think.
The wedding was followed by dancing and singing.
Then food.
The food was served by the Urukundo kitchen staff. Looks good.
The wedding attendants and Diescor. Not quite sure how he got in the bride’s photo. Delphine is rather special to our kids, and Diescor has been under her wing since 2007.
Not the best photo, but our kids and staff presented the bride and groom with a gift. Jean Marie is handing the large pease basket filled with I-am-not-sure-what. It is never empty to Auntie Delphine in the photo.
Beautiful bride and wedding attendants.
Best wishes for a long and happy marriage.
Thanks to friends and family
I will miss so many when I return to Rwanda.
Rick and Jan Reckmeyer in Arizona
My daughter-in-law Janet, who took such good care of me and my erratic schedule.
My son Jerry’s family who traveled from Williamsport to Pittsburgh to be present at the special fund-raising event in April.
My dear friend, John Guiswite. John and his late wife Sally physically helped to build the boys’ home in the village. John taught me about plumb lines in construction.
John and Sally’s son, Mike Guiswite, and Mike’s wife who arranged for me to visit John during my brief visit to Jersey Shore, Pennsylvania.
There are so many others who made my stay in the USA wonderful. Too many to mention, but I love them all and will miss them. Many thanks to all.
See you all again in two years when I come home to celebrate my 90th year on planet Earth.
Rwanda, here I come!
Mama
Soccer Champs
Late news from Urukundo and coach John Paul. The soccer team is sector champions. Again.
Congratulations to the Urukundo team and coaches!
You’re the best.
April 2019 Newsletter
Visit to the USA
What a wonderful welcome I have received!
First off, I was treated to a pedicure, manicure and a new hairdo. A gift from my daughter, Patricia, and her husband, Dale Bauman.
What do you think? A bit different. Should it stay?
I saw many special people in my first month and a half in the USA. Here are some of them in some kind of order by location.
Early in my travels, I was hosted by the Waverly Presbyterian Church mission team in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
What a wonderful evening I spent bringing them up to date on Urukundo and the Urukundo kids!
In State College, Pennsylvania, I saw Carol Falke, president of the Hope Made Real International Board.
Carol and Mama and the ice cream challenge. How awesome, and mine is vanilla, my favorite.
The creamery at the Penn State University campus has the best ice cream ever. What a treat after Carol and her husband Steve gave me a personal tour of the campus! My first time ever.
More friends for Urukundo kids were at an open house at Carol’s home.
Joan Zimmer and Janet Madore in State College
Jerry Brown of South Williamsport, Pennsylvania
My son Jerry. He was such a reliable source of transport and lodging during my time in the Williamsport area. Jerry also serves Urukundo as the chair of Hope Made Real International Board.
Jeanne Willis of Hughesville, Pennsylvania
My children in Rwanda remember Jeanne Willis. Jeanne has been a volunteer at Urukundo Village and is loved by the children.
Sherry Sechrist of Quiggleville, Pennsylvania
My youngest sister. It was so good to touch base and spend a little time with her.
Darrel Bietz of West Chester, Pennsylvania
My nephew, Darrel Bietz. It was a pleasant surprise to see and spend a short time with him.
More of my family, this time in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.
Great-granddaughter Haleigh Moore, daughter Barbara Downs and great-grandson Nate Moore.
I then traveled to the Philadelphia area where I was hosted and toasted by Diane Mastrull, reporter for the Philadelphia Inquirer and a good friend to Urukundo.
This is Pierce Keating. He has promised to visit Urukundo in the future. Holding you to that promise, my friend.
Katie Keating, who is Pierce’s wife, is the mom in this great family. Really Katie is a powerhouse full of love and compassion. Katie and her daughter Katrina have been volunteers at Urukundo.
What an awesome couple and lovely family!
Meanwhile, at Urukundo
At Urukundo, life goes on.
The secondary school kids came home for the first time since moving to their new schools.
Boarding schools, of course.
Claude, Aline and Luki
Palm Sunday celebrated
Special services took place on Palm Sunday at Urukundo Worship Center.
Chantel organizing the Palm Sunday presentation.
Entering the house of worship, Hope House.
Pastor Yves and the children greeting the day. Worship at 10 a.m.
Development in progress
Thanks to the Keatings, expansion at the library is in progress.
Tearing down and building up. Deluxe ladder, super scaffolding. Librarian Irene inspecting work in progress.
Sewing machines a blessing
Sewing machines needed. Sewing machines given. Machines purchased and placed into service.
I am counting my many blessings.
The Urukundo Sewing Center and its students benefit from this gift.
Newest addition
The farm at Urukundo announces, “It’s a girl.”
Report on me
I am well and looking forward to more visits and fundraising events before I arrive home June 1. Yes, I am homesick. Miss my kids.
Urukundo is always in my heart. My goal is to complete four more classrooms for the Primary Learning Center and four classrooms for the Sewing Center. Each room will cost about US$25,000.
The Sewing Center is now an accredited technical school and part of the Urukundo Learning Center. More space is required for further expansion. Turning deserving students away because of a lack of space is not acceptable at Urukundo/Hope Made Real.
My next stop is Arizona and Tresor’s graduation from Arizona State University. Tresor has been part of the Urukundo family since he was 12 years old. His major is software engineering, and he graduates with honors from Barrett, The Honors College, at the university.
Update and more news in the May newsletter.
Mama
March 2019 Newsletter
Getting ready
What a transition! Covering all the bases and tying up loose ends seemed to be the theme for the first half of March. I’ve been preparing to be away from my Urukundo family and to be together with my USA family and friends.