Community Christmas at Urukundo Village

What a day at Urukundo Village on Dec. 23! Thanks to a generous donor gift from One Hill at a Time Inc. and its director Helen Kweskin, our annual Christmas Community Day for kids was a day to celebrate. Thank you for your love and generosity.

Wrappers and helpers: Soso, Lucky, Chantel, Olive and Libby. Awesome job, team. So many gifts for the community kids!

Hope House was full to capacity. The new large classroom is such a blessing. We now have the capacity to handle the multitude of children.

Hope House and the new classroom are close to each other, making it easy to direct children to the new building out of the wet weather. Treats were served in both buildings.

Overflow then moved from new classroom to Hope House after first group received treats, gifts and departed.

Over 700 children showed up to enjoy a treat of a juice drink, sumbosa and each a wrapped gift. It was awesome.

There were still more gifts. These were gifts from the Urukundo Foundation to all staff children under 12 years old. A small monetary gift is given to the staff member. Soso, John and Claude helped out with transporting gifts to Mama’s living room.

Worship

Pastor Yves arranged for the sacrament of baptism. Seven souls responded. The baptisms took place Dec. 24.

At the Christmas morning service, the seven dedicated Christians were welcomed by the congregation. We praise God and give thanks.

Original Urukundo Choir. They can still sing together and make beautiful music.

The star and shepherds. Not sure who the extras are to represent. Hey, we are amateurs. We just do our best.

Nativity scene with Urukundo kids. Joseph, Mary and the shepherds singing carols. It was lovely.

The creche -- a gift many years ago from Pastor Sharon Landis -- remains a constant each Christmas.

A Family Christmas

Urukundo was a happy place on Christmas Day. Fourteen of our university kids made it home for Christmas Day. Nine of our younger set also were present.

Kavine, David, John, Deborah, Sarah and Esperance

Aline, Claude, Abais and Lucky

Bosco and Olivier

Lucy and Cecelia

Lilliane, Giselle and Dada

Soso and Alexander

Divine, Tresor, Soso and Prince

We are so blessed. A great way to end our year 2019!

In closing out the year, I am so grateful to all who have made possible changes that make a difference. I leave you with this thought for the New Year:
Count your blessings.
Count them one by one.
Count your many blessings.
See what God has done.

Prayer for Diescor

My special message this day in December is to ask for prayers. This is a very sad time at Urukundo.

Many of you know Diescor Kirenga personally and through previous newsletters. Diescor was one of the young boys who joined the Urukundo family in 2007. Diescor is now a medical student at the University of Rwanda, College of Medicine and Health Sciences.

On Dec. 4, Diescor suffered a stroke. He is in critical condition in King Faisal Hospital in Kigali City as I send this message. There is a possibility that he will be taken by air ambulance to the USA.

Please keep my Rwandan son in prayer.

We need a miracle.

Mama

November 2019 Newsletter

What a month!

So many things happened in November. It’s hard to decide what to put in the newsletter. Bear with me because this has been an exciting month.

It was heartening to start November with an afternoon service in prayer and thanksgiving for the Primary 6 students who will be taking the National Exam.

Sixty-two Primary 6 graduates are on the left. Younger students are in the back and on the right.

The teachers and I remember when these graduates were in preschool. Oh, how they have grown and matured! Time does play tricks on us. Our children do not remain babies.

It was my pleasure to share the prayer time with the students.

Pastor Yves spoke to the children about Soloman’s request for wisdom, the greater gift.

From 2 Chronicles 1:10: “Now grant me wisdom and knowledge.”

Students on their knees before the Lord with Pastor Yves and the teachers standing and supporting them in prayer. It was an awesome sight.

Urukundo’s choir sang “Every Hour I Need Thee” and “Jesus Loves Me” for the service.

The students in Primary 6 spent the next three days taking the National Exam. They had mixed feelings, but as a group they told me they think they did well. The test was not hard. So they say. We will see in December when the grades come out and schools are assigned. How well each student does determines which school they are going to attend.

Graduation at last

While we wait for the National Exam results, we have our own graduation celebration. All children from preschool to Primary 6 and the Sewing Center students invite their parents and friends to come and see what they have learned in the past year.

The day starts very early at the school. Kids and parents gathered with the graduates at the school for the walk to the main road and up the street to the Urukundo main gate and then to the site set up for the graduation.

The march from the school to the site of graduation is a spectacular parade.

Blue and gold are the colors of the kindergarten graduates.

Awesome sight. What a parade! The graduates sing as they march to Mama’s gate. They enter and proceed to the soccer field where many tents are erected to protect guests from the sun and possible rain. This is the rainy season, you know.

We were blessed with a no rain day.

Primary 6 in caps and gowns. Each group has different colors. Black and green is Primary 6.

It is about one city block on the main road from the road to the school to Mama’s gate. Neighbors come out to watch and cheer the graduates on.

Sewing Center students bring up the rear. We are so proud of these young adults and their accomplishments. White and blue really stand out. One of the school projects is to make their own caps and gowns. They did a good job.

Entering mama’s gate. Teachers walk with the kids.

Greeting Mama and Pastor Yves. What joy! Until last year, I walked with the children and loved it. It is hard for me to not join the march, but age has a way of slowing us down. So I wait at my home gate and greet the students as they enter. I am honored to have Pastor Yves there with me, also greeting the kids.

Older grads wait while kindergarten kids are seated. It is quite a process. My home is in the background.

I do walk from my home to the celebration and make a grand entrance.

Left to right: guests of honor were Fortune Mukagatana, Muhanga vice mayor of social affairs; Florence Marie Uwanyirigira, Rwanda Parliament deputy; myself; my assistant, Olive Nyiracumi; Clare Effiong, leader of Esther’s Aid Culinary Arts School; Jean Marie Ntwari, executive director of the Urukundo Foundation, and Angelique Westmark, a volunteer from Germany.

What an interesting group! We were honored.

The Primary 6 graduates of last year were special guests.

Our university students came to support the younger students and to share in the program.

It was such a thrill for me to see so many of our university students arriving. They seldom are home together, so it was special for them also.

What a group!

This year at graduation we featured the development of the music program, starting with the All School Chorus.

The All School Chorus led us in the national anthem

Music is appreciated in our school. Being able to introduce music to our students is such a blessing.

This young girl learned to play the keyboard. This is an accomplishment worth doing.

African drums and guitar add to the music program and are so special. Drums are a part of the culture.

These drums were rented for the occasion. Some day we will purchase our own. They can be purchased here in Rwanda. We encourage both types of drums as great musical instruments.

Our orchestra is made up of flutes and violins. Wonderful music was presented by our own students. Parents were impressed. More instruments are needed.

Last but not least in the music program, our children respect their heritage and learn cultural singing and dancing.

We are very proud of our progress in developing the music program.

Developing an art program is next on the agenda.

This group is amazing.

Precision marchers from Primary 4 and Primary 5

In sync

Certificates were presented to kindergarten graduates. Each was signed by Mama and Headmaster.

Primary 6 students receive certificates after National exams. The Sewing Center certificates also are given at a later time.

The Tom Nunnally award for an outstanding student in the Sewing Center went to 22-year-old Germaine Iradukunda. This award is given each year by the Forest Hills Rotary Club in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA, in honor of deceased Rotarian Tom Nunnally.

Presenting the award is head of the sewing center, Theresa Mukabanana, and Florence from Rwanda Parliament.

It is difficult to get a really good group picture of all the graduates, but we tried.

November volunteers

Volunteer Kevin Castle is a teacher's aide at an American International School in Musanze called Virunga Valley Academy.

Here is what Kevin had to say about Urukundo: “I love Urukundo for being a place of love, patience and understanding, a kind of environment where kids grow in knowing Jesus as a Saviour. I think Urukundo takes after its own name. To see friendships and love nurturing among kids is beautiful, from the way they help each other and comfort one another. I also do appreciate the adults for being very intentional in what they pass on to the kids. At the end of the day, there is impeccable growth. All in all, I love Urukundo for being very impactful in the lives of children they touch.”

Angelique Westmark from Germany also volunteered. I believe this is Angelique’s third visit to Urukundo in as many years. It is our pleasure to have her. Her son Lennert first introduced her to Urukundo. Angelique introduced puppetry to Urukundo’s children. Telling stories with puppets is fun. Our kids loved presenting a puppet show at devotions.

University graduations

We enjoyed two university graduations in November.

Our daughter, Lilliane Wishavura, finished her courses in business at Akilah Institute for Women in Kigali. Our son, Alexander Prince, graduated in computer science from Adventist University of Central Africa, Masoro campus, in Kigali.

Lilliane’s graduation ceremony was held at the Kigali Convention Centre. It is an amazing place and perfect for this celebration. The auditorium is spacious. The graduation was impressive very well organized.

The grounds outside are beautiful even on a rainy day.

The center was able to contain a huge crowd. Room for all.

Attending her graduation were her mother and her Urukundo sister Divine.

Also there was Jean Marie Ntwari, executive director of the Urukundo Foundation. Oh yes, I was there too.

Later in the afternoon at lunch, it was my pleasure to meet Alan and Joan Graustein from New Hampshire, USA. They are with the Rwanda Children Education Foundation. This organization’s motto is “Helping Children Succeed.” Its Rwandan executive director, Jeanine Mukarubega, also shared in the conversation. It was interesting meeting people with like minds.

Alexander’s graduation from Adventist University of Central Africa also was impressive.

The auditorium was huge. The students were many. Friends and family filled the space to capacity. It was impressive even though I could see nothing and understand even less. We were there to honor Alexander and did manage to get a few photos.

Alexander’s aunt accompanied us from Muhanga to the graduation.

Later you will read in my book as I tell about Alexander and his very clever grandmother. Thanks to her, Alexander came to Urukundo 11 years ago. I am sorry his grandmother did not live to see her boy succeed in getting to university and graduating with his bachelor’s in computer science.

Community Celebration

Hope House was bulging at the seams. I did not believe so many could fit inside.

It was a glorious day when neighbors from Binunga Village brought their products and crafts to show their neighbors what is available in our own neighborhood.

This young boy built his own radio. A real crowd pleaser. Beginning technology.

Urukundo was represented by our Sewing Center.

The colorful mats on the table show how scraps of material can be used to make a product.

A closer look at the mats

Christmas Wishes

Dear Friends and Family,

As you approach the Christmas holiday, remember the reason for the season. Love one another and share your love with the unloved, the sad and the lonely. Have a heart full of joy and gladness.

Merry Christmas in the Rwandese language: Noheli Nziza.

Much love,

Mama Arlene

October 2019 Newsletter

October has been a mixed bag.

There have been good times, sad times and times to celebrate. Seasons are ever changing in Rwanda, and October is a month of torrents of rain. Sunshine, warm days, heavy rain and mud. Still a good place to live.

Heavy rain flooded the garden area. All planted seeds were washed away. We start over.

Walls do work wonders. Had the wall not been there, all the water and topsoil would have been in my house, plus much more. Retaining walls do work.

Rhubarb and tree tomatoes held the ground a little. A lot of rework to be done.

In process

The ground is ready for replanting. We have dug a ditch to have the water coming from the mountain bypass the garden. It was good to put more bricks in the walkway to avoid the mud caused by too much rain.

Library expanded

Expansion at the library is complete. We thank our donors, especially the Keating family for making this possible. The building expansion was from the Keatings. The table and chairs were from the Keatings and the African International Club (AIC). Books and activities for the kids were from various donors. Thanks much to everyone.

The photos show the improvements.

New tables and chairs in adult study area

Beautiful ceiling. Complete with lighting from ceiling and fresh air.

There is room for 30 or more students. This is a great study area for older P6 kids preparing for National Exams.

Reading room

Build it. Creative activity room.

Builders in creative activity room

On the walls, we used cultural art.

Dung art

Dung art is native to the area. It is made of cow dung and ash and painted with natural pigments. This tradition dates to the 18th century.

Baskets and pictures of dancers are traditional art.

Imagine such animals in your backyard! Awesome.

Animals and birds of Rwanda. These can be seen in Akagera National Park in their own environment.

Our library is much improved.