Special time

Calendar of the year. My Valentine’s Day gift from the Urukundo staff. Love it.

My children have a special time with me each morning. They come to my office for a hug from me before going to school. There is a designated leader for the day. The leader names the year and month then marks off the date and day with a blue marker.

This year, we had no calendar. I was very upset as this is an event the children and I share. Knowing my distress and as a surprise for me, it was arranged for Urukundo to have its own calendar. What a wonderful gift for me!

Now the kids are happy, and the blue marker is back to work.

Progress

After the explosion I told you about in January, we took a closer look at the tires on the Land Rover. We needed to replace all five tires as all were threadbare and dangerous.

Oswald, vehicle manager, shows the faulty tires.

We have moved from that to this.

New tires make for a safer journey over the mountain roads of Rwanda.

Five new tires including a new spare. This spare is not ready to explode.

New hires

As a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, Urukundo needed additional classrooms to meet government requirements to ensure there is enough space to help stop the spread of the virus.

That meant additional teachers needed to be recruited for the Learning Center. These six include two math teachers, a science teacher, a librarian, an English teacher, and an early childhood teacher. Headmaster Irene introduced the new teachers.

Technology in play

Remember the tablets of several months ago? Well, an instructor came. He worked with the teachers and students at Urukundo Learning Center.

Primary 4 has started using them in studying science.There are 40 tablets equipped with a new learning process, ProFuturo. This project to promote digital education is supported by Salesians of Don Bosco Rwanda.

A teacher, headmaster and kids learn from the instructor.

Dining room open

Exterior view of completed construction.

Interior view of completed construction.

Lunchtime at Urukundo Learning Center. Kids, kids, kids. The tables in the front are for the staff and teachers.

Kitchen workers are ready to serve. Amin, Seraphine, Gilbert and Onesmo.

Teachers enjoy good food.

Water is an essential part of life in Urukundo. Pastor Yves, Mama and Sarah deliver water after the kids start eating. From experience, I know kids tend to drink in place of eating. Mama’s rule: eat and then drink.

One big step

How to wash the hands of the 3- and 4-year-olds? That was the question. This helpful step is the answer.

Thought for February

When I think about love, I think about family, friends and Urukundo. Reach out, make a friend and share the love every day.

Love can change the world.

Mama Arlene

A Note from Mama

The January newsletter comes to you in February, so I send this message to those who share my love for Urukundo and the love it brings.

February is the Love Month. Urukundo, which means “love” in kinyarwanda, is the name of the foundation created by love. What better gift to give to your Valentine than the story of love, the book “Hope Made Real: The Story of Mama Arlene and the Children of Urukundo.” It was written by Mama Arlene. Share the love with those you love and help the children at Urukundo Home for Children and Learning Center.

All proceeds go to the Urukundo Foundation. The amount is greatest when the book is purchased through BookBaby, which has paperback and ebook (AZW, EPub and PDF) editions.

The book also is available from other booksellers. The book is available in both paperback and Kindle versions on Amazon.

The book also can be purchased from Barnes & Noble in paperback and NOOK formats.

Share the love. Purchase the book.

A New Year

The new year started in grand style.

Breakfast with mama.

Delphine, the auntie in charge for the day, along with Claudine, Sarah, John and Soso, joined Mama for breakfast the morning of New Year’s Day. A wonderful meal was prepared by the Urukundo kitchen for us. It consisted of juice, porridge, scrambled eggs, vegetables, pizza rounds, chips, avocado, papaya and the ever-present little bananas. To top off the breakfast, Soso accidentally upset his juice into Claudine’s plate and lap. This made it the perfect breakfast ending, with laughter and mopping up. For me, it was a pure joy just being together.

Following the usual tradition of my youth, I made a New Year's resolution. I am asking: Have you made a New Year’s resolution? Is it broken already? Mine is to walk outdoors for at least a half-hour every day. I am working on it. I must walk inside the campus and not on the street due to the Covid-19 virus. With the accessible walkways constructed in 2020, it is now possible.

Providing a smooth walkway rather than steep irregular steps from my backyard to the campus area makes my walk easier.

Benjamin’s arm is also appreciated.

Welcome, Chloe

Giving birth can sometimes be a challenge in Rwanda. For Amin and Claire and Urukundo, this birth was very special. Amin, the dad, is one of our boys. We are happy to welcome Chloe Agahozo Niyonkuru into the Urukundo family. Thanks to the prayers of many and good medical care, our little girl and her mama are home and doing well. Papa is very happy.

From the birthing center

Meet three of the 12 newborns at the birthing center. It’s so wonderful to have clothes and your love to share with the babies and their families.

Wonderful memories

A lovely gift. I received this beautiful picture and was so pleased. The photo came from London. We know the team and the names of all of the volunteers, but I don’t know which one sent it to us. I would like to know to say thank you. I had the photo framed, and it now hangs in my office for all to enjoy. The kids find themselves and name the volunteers and staff, remembering this visit and the happy times we all enjoyed.

As the song goes, “Memories are made of this.”