Baby Chloe is 11 weeks old and finally came to visit her muzungu grandmother. Covid-19 has had control for too long. It was such a blessing to finally be holding this precious baby girl.
She was born Jan. 3. Her papa, my Rwandan son Amin, and his lovely wife Claire were delighted when, thanks to the prayers of so many, a healthy baby girl was born. Olive visited her at home, but because of Covid-19, it was not safe until recently to visit Mama at Urukundo Village.
Everyone needs a chuckle from time to time. Happy laughter is good medicine.
Having a sense of humor is an essential requirement when living in Rwanda.
I have found a small shop in town where small cups of ice cream can be purchased. I love ice cream. Especially vanilla.
Did you know that if you go shopping in Rwanda and you buy small cups of ice cream for Mom, then proceed to stop at several markets for other items before going home, you will not have ice cream an hour later? You will have a flavor-of-the-month container of milk? My secretary, Eric, found that out this month. Well, now he knows that you purchase the ice cream last, then go straight home.
I didn’t have ice cream, but I did have a good laugh.
Mama Arlene
February is all about love, caring and sharing. Urukundo’s family is also all about love, caring and sharing. Of all the virtues, love is the greatest.
Meet some of our kids sharing the love. They are all my valentines.
Olive with Jacob and Rebecca
Olive went to visit Jacob at his new school. She asked Jacob if he knew his sister Rebekah was in the same school. He did not, and Rebekah did not know Jacob was there. The reunion was an event to behold.
Baby Edith is the center for this group. She is their valentine special. Her mama is HR manager Juliette. Sharing the love are big brothers Edison and Jerry; adopted cousin Emma; and foster sister Livine.
Couldn’t resist those missing two front teeth.
Love enough to go around in Pastor Yves’s family.
Papa Ishmael, chairside dental assistant, has a valentine. Her name is Audrey.
More love. Chantel, our daycare helper, shares the love with Sabrine. Her mama is teacher Salonge.
A newborn baby and his mama.
Urukundo Learning Center has a very active sports program.
We need shoes for our soccer kids. Sizes to fit kids ages 8 to 14 years old. New or used accepted. Thank you.
The postal service is working again.
Mailing address:
Urukundo Foundation
BP 179 Muhanga
South Province
Rwanda, Africa
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
How to wash the hands of the 3- and 4-year-olds? That was the question. This helpful step is the answer.
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
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.
