School news

Secondary kids (junior high school) enjoyed time together during the January school break: Claude, Livine, Kenny, Kenilla, John, Sarah and Lucky.

Primary started the second term.

This month the competition was in math in grades 1-6 and science in grades 4-6.

I was honored to give out the awards.The science projects had to do with water and electricity. How we can purify water for drinking and how the earth recycles water to care for our environment and our bodies. Another group dealt with creating electricity using water power. Math needs some work, but the science projects were awesome.

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My travel continues

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Winding down my USA travels, I arrived back in Reston, Virginia, on Dec. 1.

Borrowed van packed with suitcases made the trip from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, to Reston. The luggage will continue to the next stop, Kigali, Rwanda.

Kathy Kelley, Rosemary Welch and Mary Jackson were there to welcome my daughter Patricia and me.

Driver and son-in-law Dale

On Dec.3, long-time friend Craig Haas and I got together for lunch. I met Craig when he worked in Rwanda 14 years ago. We had so much to share.

Reston was my first stop entering the USA and my last stop leaving. Since arriving in the USA on Sept. 2, I have visited so many long-time friends and family members. And I have made many new friends. Thanks to all for your hospitality and your continued support of Urukundo.

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Homecoming

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Time to fly home

Now it is time for another covid test. Yep, I am still negative. I can fly home.

In all, 18 suitcases flew with me. Seventeen made it on Dec. 6. Suitcase No. 18 arrived on Dec. 13 intact. Just seven days late. We are blessed that it arrived.

After a day in a Kigali hotel waiting for negative covid results, I finally reached home. What a welcome! Village staff, teachers, pastor and administrators joined the little kids.

The kitchen crew and several of the cleaners joined in the welcome.

Artwork by my kids. This poster hangs in my bedroom. Love it.

More employee visitors

Teachers gathered in my living room. There were so many in my living room that it takes two photos.

I needed a group photo with the teachers. What a wonderful group! Such talent!

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Awards Day

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Awards Day at Urukundo Learning Center also was Dec. 3.

Auditorium packed to overflowing. So awesome!

Our music program continues to grow. Young musicians are appreciated.

Achieving success is encouraged. Doing your best is our criteria.

End of the first term of 2021-22 achievement awards.

We are very proud of our students and our teachers who lead the way. Here are some of the awards:

Parent Committee President Nsekuye Basile gave an award to Isingizwe Happy Vanessa in P5.

Dean of Studies Niyonshima Theogene gave an award to Mugisha Mucyo Samuel in P4.

School secretary Adeline Mutuyimana gave an award to Akariza Giramata Soumaya in P5.

Teacher Dushime Nshimiyimana Remy Paul gave an award to Irakoze Karabo Noella in P6.

We are very proud of our students and our teachers who lead the way.

Our baby boy

Baby Bruno grew while I was away. Bruno is a neighborhood baby that Urukundo took on as a special project when his mom died of covid at his birth. He is loved.

Our shelves are full again. These are just some of the baby clothes that came back with me for the Mama and Baby project. Thanks to all of you that made this possible.

The Mama and Baby project got a boost with clothing and hygiene articles brought back in suitcases.