As we begin a new year, it is time to set new goals and dream new dreams.
The future is ours. Let us make the most of it and be the best that we can be.
Mama Arlene
December 2021 Newsletter
December newsletter begins in late November.
My eyes are better to see with.
Nov. 22 was an unforeseen event. During a routine eye exam, Dr. Baker informed me I needed to have cataracts removed. The first eye was done on Nov. 22. The second one was done just seven days later on Nov. 29.
My travel continues
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.
November 2021 newsletter
State College
Ending October, I was blessed to spend time with hosts Steve and Carol Falke, president of the Hope Made Real International Board, in State College, Pennsylvania.
We also had time with other friends in State College.
Joanne and Paul Steindorf
Janet Madore and Esther Lauchle
Ruth and Bob O’Connor
Carol Baney.
Carol visited Urukundo several years ago with a team led by Carol Falke. It was good to connect with her again.
Family, first and foremost
Four generations. How awesome!
What wonderful joys have taken place on this visit that I didn’t expect when I started planning this trip! First two weddings and now seeing my my great-granddaughter Jasmine, her husband Eric, and her daughter Lola, one of my great-great-grandchildren, for the first time. With my daughter Barbara, that makes four generations.
Then hugging Hannah Arlene and Amelia. They are daughter Barbara’s grandchildren.
Getting to know my great-grandchildren is such a reward. Juliana is the granddaughter of my son Jerry.
I am so blessed to have both great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren.
Altoona
Pastor Rebecca Holland and her husband, Pastor Jeff Holland.
Rebecca is Chair of Disability Ministries Task Force of the Susquehanna Conference of the United Methodist Church. She serves as pastor to Christ Community and Llyswen United Methodist Churches in Altoona, Pennsylvania.
Through her ministry, the Urukundo Learning Center received aid for Claudine. Because of Rev. Rebecca and her task force, Claudine now has a brighter future.
Rev. Dr. Joleen A. Willis, district superintendent of the Altoona District in the Susquehanna Conference of the United Methodist Church, honored me with her presence at Christ Community.
Book signing and sharing took place at Christ Community.
Joleen and her husband Randy, who is pastor of Wehnwood United Methodist Church in Altoona, are parents of Ethan and Sarah. The Willis children were a delight. Such energy! Wow.
Back in Williamsport
Pastor Susan Halverstadt and her congregation at Faxon-Kenmar United Methodist Church in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, were a captive audience. I thank them for their welcome.
Sharing with friends makes for a wonderful evening.
In Rwanda, life goes on.
In Urukundo Village, work continues. The new residence construction and Hope House renovations are now taking place.
It’s reassuring to know the members of Urukundo staff are quite capable on their own.
Maryland
On the road again
This time, the destination is the area of Baltimore, Maryland, and a meeting with nursing students at Bowie State University in Bowie, Maryland.
The discussion was on health care and a possible partnership between Bowie in Maryland and the Urukundo Foundation in Rwanda.
SLK Health Corp. is the nongovernmental organization for the nursing school.
International recognition
An invitation to take part in Global Health Education Week at University of Maryland, Baltimore, was indeed an honor for me and the Urukundo Foundation.
The discussion was on health care and a possible partnership between Bowie in Maryland and the Urukundo Foundation in Rwanda.
In on the brainstorming discussion were Virginia Rowthorn, assistant vice president for global engagement at the University of Maryland, Baltimore and executive director of the Center for Global Engagement, and Bonnie Bissonette, director of education abroad and international safety at the university’s Center for Global Education Initiatives.
It was my pleasure to meet and be a part of this discussion.
The event was organized and chaired by Valli I. Meeks, DDS, MS, RDH, clinical professor in the Department of Oncology and Diagnostic Sciences in the University of Maryland School of Dentistry.
Valli has visited Urukundo and was instrumental in the start-up of Urukundo Dental Clinic in 2013.