My thoughts for February are in line with Margie Krogh’s thinking about music.
I finish the February newsletter with this quote from Lou Rawls, American record producer, singer, composer and actor.
“Music is the greatest communication in the world. Even if people don't understand the language that you're singing in, they still know good music when they hear it.”
Mama
The highlight of 2022: Mama has a new home. Its completion was a very special event. This building will be the home of all future directors of Urukundo and the guest house for visitors and volunteers who wish to spend quality time at Urukundo Village and Learning Center.
Here’s what I could see looking out the window of my old residence. Yes, it was rather bleak. This was the view from my old residence.
Compare this with what I now am able to see from my new residence.
Sliding board, swings, merry-go-round in play area
Basketball court
Basketball
Volleyball
Soccer field
I can view all of the activities, and I am a happy Mama.
Awesome. I feel less isolated and, more importantly, I have contact with the children. I no longer have to climb the mountain to see the kids at play and visit the school.
Here’s a tour of my new home. Small door is my office entrance. Double doors are the entrance to the living quarters. In all the years I’ve been at Urukundo, this is the first time my bedroom is totally private. Wow! What an accomplishment! The shape of the home is a tribute to Rwandan history and culture. It's the shape of the King’s Palace Museum, which is a reconstruction of the 19th century traditional royal residence.
A beautiful art canvas by a local artist, a gift from Urukundo cleaners. Look for it hanging in my new office.
The moving week began on Jan. 4.
Installing kitchen cabinets
Kitchen completed
The dining room drapes open
The dining room drapes closed
Dining area and kitchen. I love the openness of this floor plan.
Relax and enjoy our living area. Great place to greet friends.
Wide-open space includes living area, dining area and kitchen with cathedral ceiling.
Looking straight up.
My greatest joy: zebra, birds and paintings are all Rwandan culture art.
Guest room. The beds are comfortable and the covers will keep you warm.
My office. Imagine an office that does not have a bed in it!
Thank you for touring Urukundo’s new residence with me. I hope soon you can come to Urukundo Village and spend some time enjoying what so many of you have helped build.
Decorations in Hopemadereal House. The beauty of a Rwandan wedding.
Christmas wedding
Early January wedding reception.
Same setting two weeks later, different wedding
Beautiful wedding reception at so little cost. Awesome.
The New Year has started off with changes at Urukundo Learning Center.
It is with regret and best wishes that Urukundo bids farewell to Headmaster Irene Dushimimana as he moves on to another position, advancing in his career of choice.
We welcome the new headmaster and his administrative staff: Dean of Education Theogene Niyonshima, Dean of Discipline Anuirite Mukeshimana, Headmaster Viateur Ngiruwonsanga and Secretary Adeline Mutuyimama.
Carol Falke, our Hope Made Real Board International president, is at work. Her love of books and the Urukundo Learning Center library reaches out to others who have like passion.
A book sponsorship was held at Park Forest Village United Methodist Church in State College, Pennsylvania, USA. Children and adults selected a book or two and wrote a message inside for Urukundo Learning Center’s children’s library.
Continuing in the spirit of Christmas giving, a book sponsorship was an event at Trinity Lutheran Church in State College. (L-R) Pastor Ron Miller, Vicar Ted Williams, Linda Leslie and Lacey Sheaffer represented the congregation in this worthy project. What better gifts than books to open young minds to new adventures?
Side note: Carol chooses appropriate books, and others sponsor the books chosen. She then ships them by UPS to the Urukundo Foundation. You can do your part as well. Help is always needed and appreciated to cover the cost of shipping.
At worship, Mama respects the ever-present danger of Covid-19 with a mask protecting a child who wants to sit on her lap. Love every opportunity but do need to care about the child in my arms.
Pastor Yves looking like clergy. The collar makes him look official. Now we need to get him a robe and a stole for special occasions.
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.
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 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.
In those seven days, there was an early celebration of my 91st birthday.
Great-granddaughter Lucia and her dad Christian help light the candles.
So great to celebrate with family!
In the meantime, in Rwanda, life goes on.
We are proud of our new graduates from the university.
Eric Bakinahe, staff secretary, graduated from the University of Kigali on Dec. 3.
Deborah graduated from the University of Kigali on Dec. 3.
Pacifica (Dada) graduated from University of Kigali on Dec. 3.
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.
