June 2019 Newsletter

Return from USA

The 10 weeks in the USA sharing the love and the story of Urukundo Foundation -- its beginning, development and future goals -- was so exciting and so full of love. I thank all who shared their time with me.

Arriving at the Kigali International Airport on Saturday, June 1, I found Divine and Deborah, who are two of my university students, waiting to welcome me. They had been at the airport since 4:20 p.m., the original time of arrival. Along with hugs and kisses, they presented me with this beautiful bouquet.

I arrived home at Urukundo Village at about 8:30 p.m. It was very late and dark after a long journey and a seven-hour layover in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. My plan was to arrive home during the daylight hours, but that did not happen.

The children waited for me. The greeting was all hugs and kisses and flowers from Urukundo’s garden.

Flowers are always a delight. I loved both arrangements.

Then it was off to bed for the children and a very tired mama.

The next day

The welcome home photos had to wait until Sunday morning.

The hugs were still special.

I was introduced to Auntie Betty’s new baby. His name is Alyn. Sorry my hair was still wet from morning shower.

We are a small group now at home but mighty. Missing our brothers and sisters.

Kids and home staff came a few minutes before worship to say good morning. It was indeed a joy to be home.

On the way to worship, I passed this lovely message in the children’s rock garden.

At worship, I saw the new paraments. The Sewing Center reconditioned them. They were a gift from Pastor Sunny Stock and her faith family at Christ Church McKeansburg in Pennsylvania, USA.

Our new YouTube Channel

We have a new YouTube channel where we’ll be posting videos of day-to-day life and events here at Urukundo village. You can subscribe to the channel here.

Boaz Children's Choir sings at worship on Sunday, June 23.

The Urukundo Karate Team practice for an upcoming competition. The team consists of Urukundo kids and community participants.

Dental news

The new handheld, portable X-ray machine has arrived. It was purchased with money raised on my USA trip. Now the puzzle is reading the directions and having a workable X-ray machine.

Oliver, our dental technician, opening the satchel holding the X-ray machine. What a sight to behold!

Can it be? Yes, it really is.

A very happy moment. This is another hope made real.

Four heads are better than one. So they say.

Test run. Aprons in place.

Visitors from Buffalo State College

Improving the world one story at a time. The Anne Frank Project at Buffalo State College (SUNY Buffalo) uses story as a vehicle for community building, conflict resolution and identity.

We were delighted to welcome the project back to Urukundo for the fourth year. These young people add joy and love when they visit and participate at Urukundo Village and Urukundo Learning Center.

Anne Frank Project team from Buffalo arrives. Big bus brings big fun.

Our kids greet them after they exit the bus.

This 12-member student team shared their many talents as young actors. They taught how to tell a story through drama with the teachers in the Muhanga District for three days. They shared their love with Urukundo kids and the Urukundo Learning Center for four days. It was an event for celebration and sharing.

Gathering at Mama’s house where Mama is the storyteller. I so enjoy sharing the stories of Urukundo and its family with visiting groups that come to our village.

Winding down the day sharing devotions with the kids in the evening before sending all off to bed and a good night’s sleep.

Gabrielle Malfatti, director of global engagement and ancillary associate teaching professor, higher education, at the University of Missouri, came with the Buffalo team..

Presentation of “The Three Little Pigs” by the Buffalo team.

The storyteller is the young man, Travis, on the right, Big bad wolf is the young lady Janae on the left in grey. The three pigs are on their knees. The protecting arms in the air represent the structure of the house.

Use your imagination and your love for fairy tales. This long has been one of my favorite stories of how brothers love and protect each other from evil. Kids and the team shared this special moment. What fun!

Buffalo State visitors meet the children

Baby Alyn -- Auntie Betty’s child -- is in day care at Urukundo. What big eyes you have, Alyn! Precious child. Buffalo student Lisa is a happy caregiver for the baby.

(l-r) Claudine, Monique and Diane

Molly visited Luki and Claude at secondary school

John and Amanda, Missouri student traveling with professor Gabrielle Malfatti.

Children give the gift of peace doves to visitors from Buffalo College.

Mama receives a gift of a prayer shawl from Lucas.

Our visitors rose very early in the morning to arrive at the Urukundo Learning Center for opening exercises at 7 a.m. Report was it was worth getting up for. The kids were delighted and welcomed the visitors.

Lila has conversation with our students at the school.

Imani gets a hug.

Monique with Samuel, our teacher Rosemary’s son.

Sitting on the ground, letting the kids have the upper hand. Good idea. Little kids get tired looking up.

Molly shaking hands in love.

Urukundo choir presents a song for visitors

Students teach

Buffalo students became teachers, Muhanga teachers became students. Eighty teachers and students attended this teaching experience focused on storytelling. We thank the Global Engagement Institute and the Buffalo team members, who have a heart for children and education for all.

Using drama and storytelling is a better way to teach and to learn. Our teachers are ever ready to learn new teaching techniques. Each person has a story, and the story is worth telling. What is your story?

Buffalo student/teacher Lucas and Muhanga teachers.

As always, saying “so long” is the hard part. It was important we part with happy memories.

For devotions the final evening, the team was in charge and presented a story and taught games. We will long remember the story of “Goldilocks and the Three Bears.”

In white, “Mama Bear.” In blue, “Papa Bear.” In middle, “Baby Bear.”

Imagine this young man, Travis, as Goldilocks. The kids loved it.

Claudine was part of the door. Fun, fun, fun.

Drew Kahn, a distinguished service professor at Buffalo State and founding director of the Anne Frank Project, shared photos with Soso. Kindred spirits. Best buddies.

Global Engagement Institute Rwanda program manager Franciose Uzamukunda and Gabrielle formed a new friendship. Every friend is valued. Amazing women.

Modeling the new shawl. Mama posing with Urukundo executive director Jean Marie Ntwari and Gabrielle after devotions.

The final photo for this special event.

What a fantastic group! Bon voyage, dear friends. Safe travel.

Development at Urukundo School

Can you guess what this is all about?

The wall is the boundary of the soccer field. On the other side of the wall is the school parking space for the buses. Believe it or not, our soccer teams kick the ball very high and very hard.

After the ball hit the buses several times, we decided we needed to protect the bus windows from being broken. You see what came up as a solution. A higher screen wall. Now there should be no damage to our buses or the neighboring house windows.

May 2019 Newsletter

Successful fundraiser

Here it is the end of May. What an exciting month it has been!

Now on my mind is going home to Urukundo.

Of course, the last week in April has to be in the May newsletter. That last week in April saw the “Bridging Pittsburgh to Rwanda” fund-raising event.

Here are members of the bridge team plus two Urukundo siblings, Tresor and Solange, and myself. Awesome group. The three of us told the crowd about Urukundo.

The celebration included a get-acquainted event.

Jewelry and crafts from Urukundo Village were for sale.

The event was well organized and went very well. Everyone had a good time, and funds were raised for the Urukundo Foundation/Hope Made Real.

Funds were raised, but it wasn’t enough to finish building much needed classrooms for the elementary school. However, it was more than enough to pay for a much needed, handheld portable X-ray machine for the Dental Clinic.

MaxRay handheld portable X-ray

Included with the machine are the charger, battery, strap/holster, premium sensor and software.

This is very good news.

Urukundo Dental Clinic wishes to thank Vector R&D Inc., Dr. Richard Reckmeyer and the many others who made this acquisition possible.