Urukundo’s outreach

It is with great pleasure that we share with you that the Urukundo Learning Center technical school was selected by the government to participate in the government’s program to help poor families earn an income by providing technical training to a family member in order to work toward a better life.

Our technical school is the Sewing Center. We have 54 students enrolled in the new sewing program. This program will last for three months and includes teaching materials and a nourishing lunch. Those with young babies can make use of the day care for free.

Our three teachers (standing) are up to the challenge. The government is contributing an amount for each of the 54 students. Urukundo is paying the balance of the cost.

Funding for new residence

June 26th

Because of the addition of more guest rooms as well as laundry and utility space to the new residence for Mama and any future director of Urukundo, the cost has changed by US$15,000. Building a separate guest house would have more than doubled the cost.

Friends and family have paid for the construction of Mama’s house, and Urukundo hopes to cover the additional cost. For now, construction is on hold pending further donations to Hope Made Real for this construction. Funding is needed.

Donations can be sent to:

Hope Made Real

P.O. Box 3222

Williamsport, PA 17701

Thank you. Mama

Closing thoughts

I am anticipating my journey in September to share the love and time with friends and family with joy.

Our world is confused today. So much distrust and anger. So I share this old saying with you: “There are two things a person should never be angry at: What they can help and what they cannot.”

Life is too short. Anger takes too much time and energy. Love and forgiveness is a better way.

Mama Arlene

Newsletter for May 2021

Children are missing, families are separated and refugees run for their lives. Twice in my lifetime.

The news of the destruction caused when Mount Nyiragongo erupted on May 22 in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo brought memories rushing back to me. My concern and prayers are for the children and those who are suffering as a result of this current disaster.

The last eruption happened in 2002. Now just 19 years later, it is hard to believe the deadly volcano Mount Nyiragongo erupted again.

If you have read my book “Hope Made Real” you know the horrors of the volcano I experienced.

Here is my recounting of that horror, from pages 21-27 in my book:

As darkness approached, I stood with the others on the balcony of the hotel. I was in an extremely dangerous place and yet fascinated by the spectacle I was witnessing and living firsthand. Explosions shook the earth. Vibrant yellow, red, and orange hues lit up the sky. Great fireballs of white gas exploded. A river of orange and red lava ten feet thick could be seen spewed from Nyiragongo’s mouth. From our viewpoint, we could see fires everywhere hot lava touched. Everything in its flowing path was razed.

We tried to remain rationally calm. Then, as fires caused by the scorching lava drew closer we were told to leave. Now we realized how close we were and how much danger we were in. The hotel was closing. We too were refugees fleeing for our lives.

My thoughts and prayers are with those children and their families. May those who grieve find solace and may separated families be reunited.

Back with the children

A very good day for Mama. During a bout with cold and flu-like symptoms lasting too long, I had chosen to stay away, not wanting to pass the illness to the children.

I am pleased to say finally I am no longer contagious and back on my feet. What a wonderful morning!

My escort Benjamin did the photo op. I share these photos with you.

Children everywhere. Joy to behold!

Word is out. Mama is on the field. They came running to greet me. My pleasure.

The discussion was about foote ball (soccer). A young girl said to me, “I don’t like to play foote ball.” My response was, “Neither do I, but I like to watch.” It was agreed it is OK not wanting to play and watching is good. Wish all problems were so simple.

After a playground visit and high fives, the bell sounded and the kids returned to class.

I love recess.

Visit to the day care

The little ones were outside this time.

The thrill for me was when this little boy looked me over, decided I was OK and did not cry.

Dariela came and let me take her hand. Notice the roof of the new residence in the background. The playground and day care are on the middle level. Such joy when I also live on this level! Being with the kids is my joy.

I look forward to the day when I do not have to climb the mountain to be here. It will be soon.

Here is why.

New house in progress

I hope you recall that some time ago my home was invaded by thieves. My bedroom was targeted. It was a shock to me to realize I was not safe in my own home. It also was very disturbing to my family. They decided I need to be away from the main road, my present location, and in the center of the compound where it would be harder for intruders to be a threat. They decided to do something about it and contacted family members and family friends with a plea to help build a safer residence for me.

This is the letter my daughter Patricia wrote and sent out to family members and many friends.

I share it now with you:

I’m writing to you because Mama needs a house. Turning 90, Mama Arlene finally admits (sort of) that she may be getting a bit older.

As you know, Urukundo is built upon the side of a large hillside on three plateaus:

The Lower Plateau -- the main road and Mama’s present residence

The Middle Plateau -- the school, dining hall and activity center, and business offices

The Upper Plateau -- the farm and animals

Mama can no longer safely climb the steep hillside without assistance, and even then, once a day is laborious, leaving her out of breath at a high altitude. I can tell you, she is not happy not being in the middle of all the daily activities of the campus.

In addition, her present residence, located just inside the gate on the main road, leaves her vulnerable to intruders. Only a couple of months ago robbers broke in while Mama was asleep.

With your help, a new home, constructed for the present needs of Mama and for the coming decade, could be built on level land of the middle plateau. The estimated cost is $40,000, a small amount compared to comparable U.S. homes.

I am so grateful for my family’s concern and I thank everyone who stepped up and helped make it happen. Again, I say thank you to all.

Construction of a new residence began on March 19 and continues today. It is my hope construction will be completed in June. It will be not only a new residence for Mama Arlene and any future director of Urukundo Foundation but will have four guest rooms to welcome volunteers and visitors.

The design of Mama Arlene’s new home is a tribute to Rwandan history and culture. The photo shows the beehive-shaped King’s Palace Museum, which is a reconstruction of the 19th century traditional royal residence. The palace is located in the Nyanza District, Southern Province, 88 kilometers from the City of Kigali.

Now I share the progress to date with you.

March 19, preparation began. Clearing and leveling.

The location is in the field next to Hope House.

March 26, layout for the foundation and rooms. This layout also includes four guest rooms with baths.

April 5, outside walls. A structure has begun.

May 5, reaching for the sky.

A three-week delay took place as we waited for the metal sheets to arrive for the roof.The June newsletter will report on construction in progress. I am hoping for a July move-in date.

Keeping in touch

Sarah and Kaboss are doing well.

Juliette, Delphine and Oswald accompanied Sarah on the visit to her foster family celebrating Eid al-Fitr. Olive was there, but someone had to take pictures. She was elected.

Smiling neighborhood children greeted our car as they drove to visit Sarah’s foster family.

A visit to our boy Kaboss by Olive was surprising. How he has grown and changed! Our short kid is now a tall young man. Kaboss has one more year in primary and then will begin his journey into secondary school and experience boarding school.

Visitor for May

Her name is Erin Friday.

Mama, Chantel, Pastor Yves and our kids welcomed our first visitor since Covid travel restrictions took place in March 2020. Now the Covid restrictions are lessened. Erin is from Wayne, Pennsylvania, USA.

A bit about Erin. Most importantly, she is a devoted wife and mother of three. Erin is a CPA and is CEO for the Thousand Hills Accounting in Rwanda and Main Line Accounting in the USA. She shared her love of Rwanda and her teaching ability and knowledge with the Urukundo Foundation administration.

Thousand Hills Accounting is committed to financial education, creating jobs and supporting businesses as part of Rwanda’s Vision 2050. We look forward to her return visit in October 2021.

Her visit concluded with a Fanta and ice cream party and a rousing foote ball (soccer) game.

Pastor Yves was the referee.

Delighted to do my first book signing.

Erin has the first autographed copy of my book. She brought her copy with her.

Her comment to me upon her arrival at Urukundo was: “Coming to Urukundo to get the book signed was just an excuse to meet you!”

Closing thoughts

This has been a very interesting month at Urukundo. A new residence in progress, our first visitor in more than a year, memories awakened from 2002. So many things have happened in such a short time.

I do hope, my dear friends, you know how much I appreciate being able to share it all with you.

Much love,

Mama

April 2021 Newsletter

Greetings from Mama Arlene

April is the month of new beginnings. Well, for Urukundo, it is a month of developing a new system for our kitchen. Thanks to some early gifts, we were able to start. We will continue as funding becomes available. After much discussion, the decision was made. Considering the health problems for our employees breathing smoke and the environmental effects of destroying our forests for firewood, we decided to go ahead with installing the propane gas for cooking.

We will rebuild the kitchen when funds are available. Yes, it truly is a new beginning. For months, I have been anticipating what changing from wood to propane gas might be like. Well, dear friends and family, here in pictures is the answer. In capital letters, I declare: ANOTHER HOPE MADE REAL.

Propane tank arrives.

It takes a lot of men to lift such a heavy object.

OK. Job well done. Tank off of the truck.

Celebration of another Hope Made Real.

A platform was built. The tank now has a permanent resting place.

We must protect our neighbor and secure the land where the propane tank rests. It would not be good to one day find our tank sitting on our neighbor’s property. Yes, a retaining wall and a fence to protect the tank for safety reasons are necessary.

Tanker arrives for the first time to fill our tank.

We have gas.

Protection for the tank.

The tank has its protective house. Painted blue, of course.

Inside the kitchen

Changes took place to welcome the new cookers and pans.

Gone are these wood-burning, smoke-producing fire pits and the platform they were on.

They are replaced by a lower and workable platform.

A new way of cooking requires teaching and learning. Cooking with gas is much different than with wood. The Standard Gas Company provided an instructor to supervise the installation and to teach the safety measures necessary to cook with gas.

A technician gives instructions on using gas safely to cook.

Gas line, platform, cookers and pans.

More positive changes.

Removing smoke-blackened ceiling

Fresh paint makes for a brighter work area. Panels make a big improvement.

Better working space and shelving. The metal table is an asset.

Our construction crew replaced the old platform to accommodate the new cookers. They also added an open window for better ventilation.

A happy kitchen crew.

The new kitchen is still needed. For now, we are happy to work with the changes made to the old kitchen.