This plant in my front yard never ceases to amaze me. We denude it each Easter. It serves us for Palm Sunday. It bounces back with new growth differently each year.
The plant last year.
This year. Can’t wait to see what it does next year.
Special visitors
As a mom, it’s hard to believe my kids are old enough to think of marriage although I know it is true. Tresor brought his girlfriend Sandra home to introduce her to me and the Urukundo family,
My memories of Tresor are in my book, “Hope Made Real: The Story of Mama Arlene and the Children of Urukundo” on pages 85-86.
Older brothers Tresor and Amin with older sister Seraphine posed for a photo with the younger generation: John, Claudine, Sarah, Benita, and Soso.
Amin hides his eyes as big brother Tresor steals the show. It was so great to have Amin, Seraphine, and Tresor spend some quality time with the younger set.
Day care
Foote ball at an early age.
Day care kids need more balls to practice with. Are there such things as little soccer balls?
The blue ball collapses when you step on it. See the photo below.
Boy in red and white sweater with his foot on the blue ball. Oh well, it bounces back.
Hopemadereal House a multi-purpose center
Yep, the new building has a name. Say it fast. It sounds OK that way.
Now that we have a building large enough to accommodate all students at the school, a special assembly is called each Friday and an event takes place. Hopemadereal House is the auditorium for this event.
First school presentation in the new building. This group was only Primary 4, 5, and 6. The competition was a spelling contest and a reading contest in English.
The second week’s event featured the school orchestra and chorus.
We’re so proud of both.
This assembly hosted both a spelling contest and a reading contest in Kinyarwanda. All 1,020 kids were present, and there is room for more. I am told the next assembly will be in French. Kinyarwanda, French and English are taught in our primary school.
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.