The month ended with a volleyball competition. The parents and employees from the Urukundo Foundation played the employees from Zipline on the foundation’s volleyball court on Aug. 26. Zipline does deliveries by drone in Rwanda.
The Urukundo team rallied before the games began. Benj (red hat) observed in background.
Zipline team huddled.
It took four games to declare a winner of the tournament. Urukundo Foundation won the final game and was declared the winner, three games to one.
With heartfelt thanks, I reach out to all who cared and covered me with prayers during my bout with pneumonia. I am so grateful.
In July, a lot of activity took place at Urukundo Foundation, both at the school and in the village.
I do hope you enjoy the journey through the month with me.
Work continues on the renovation of my old residence for it to become the new location of the Dental Clinic.
Inside work is underway.
Floors are being prepared and waiting for the tile.
The required tile does make a difference.
The new roof is on now. Ceiling panels are needed.
From this to …
THIS! Beautiful.
Gate entrance to the new Dental Clinic from the main road. Looking good. What cleaning the bricks can do!
Same wall looking toward the gate. A lot of work but worth the effort.
Inside the gate. Ollie checking it out.
Developing space for parking. Hard labor. From this to …
THIS! Off-street parking.
Handicap accessible entrance from the parking lot to the waiting room. Ramp in place.
As in all areas of Urukundo, the Dental Clinic has an accessible entrance. Cement not dry yet.
August will see the end of construction and the opening of the improved Dental Clinic. Thanks to all who helped make this possible. I am grateful.
Because of Covid-19, it has been a long time since recognition has been given to our karate kids. They continue to advance in skill. Congratulations, kids.
Proud mom honors her karate kid.
Mom and dad are pleased.
A certificate was presented with a dad sharing the moment.
Another proud dad.
Olive presents a certificate with karate master Eugene watching. Eugene is also our farm manager.
Certificates awarded.
Left to right: Dr. Sherri Woods, mHub; Yvonne Uwamahoro, mHub; Yvan Rubengebenge, GEI; Eric, Urukundo’s executive secretary; Juliette, Urukundo’s human resource manager; Mama; Jean Marie, Urukundo’s director, and Sherri Prince, an instructor at Youngstown State University traveling with Dr. Woods.
Dr. Woods is an assistant professor and Sherri Prince is an instructor at Youngstown State University in Youngstown, Ohio, USA. We so appreciated their visit.
Mental health and well-being have long been a concern at Urukundo Learning Center and Village. The welfare of our students, employees and the community is important. Our goal is to have a full-time counselor and social worker on staff. Sharing our concerns are the Global Engagement Institute (GEI) and mHub, two organizations founded in Rwanda by Dr. Michael Grosspietsch of Germany.
Our association with Dr. Grosspietsch and GEI dates back to 2006. Dr. Grosspietsh said, “Our mental health and well-being are incredibly precious; we all need to take proactive care of ourselves. Realizing that many people worldwide lack access to even the most basic quality mental health services, I founded mHub in order to help overcome this enormous challenge.”
Dr. Sherri Woods and Ms. Sherri Prince came to Rwanda as volunteers at the GEI Mental Health Hub in Kigali. Dr. Grosspietschl suggested we might have interests in common. Dr. Woods and Ms. Prince traveled from Kigali to Muhanga and included Urukundo in their travels. Accompanying Dr. Woods were, from mHub, Yvonne Uwamahoro, from mHub, and and Yvan Rubengebenge from GEI..
We had more visitors the weekend of July 8. This weekend was a very busy time at Urukundo.
Not just busy, but also a happy time.
We welcomed in the new residence/guest house our first team since the pandemic. It was great to see a bus pull into the compound after the two-year, no-visitor-time period brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic.
This delegation consisted of seven faculty and staff members from SUNY Buffalo State College, New York, USA. Professor Drew Kahn was team leader. Other members of the delegation were associate provost Amitra Wall and teaching artists Jonise Hall, Rose Corrado, Zhanna Reed, Gabby McKinley and Amanda Rojo.
Left to right: Rose, Jonise, Drew, Amanda, Amitra, Gabby and Zhanna.
What a joy, to greet the delegation from Buffalo State back to Urukundo Learning Center after a two-year absence!
Their purpose is to teach teachers through the Anne Frank Project. The Anne Frank Project uses the power of stories as vehicles for community building, conflict management and identity exploration, inspired by the wisdom of Anne Frank. Visit their "Anne Frank Project" website to learn more about this fantastic project.
Drew Kahn, distinguished service professor in the Department of Theater, teaches acting at Buffalo State. Professor Kahn is also on the Hope Made Real International Board.
Seventy-five teachers from the Muhanga District attended this year's seminar.
It was an exciting four days for Urukundo teachers, staff and teachers from the Muhanga District.
Three busloads of Urukundo employees were treated to a day trip to Gisenyi, the resort capital of Rwanda, to celebrate the successful end of the school year. This trip was Urukundo’s thank you for a year of achievement, and all employees participated. It was a day to relax and enjoy.
Buses stopped for a short break.
Taking a break is a good time for photos.
A good time was had by all.
In the past, our graduation has been in November. Rwanda has long been trying to change the school year from January to November to September to June. The school year missed because of Covid-19 allowed that to happen.
Yes, our school year now is in sync with other countries. Is it a better plan? We will see.
Practicing begins for graduation. The basketball field works well.
The kids worked hard to present their talents and knowledge to parents and friends.
Primary 6 ready and waiting.
Quote from a student: “We are ready. We will show our parents and friends what we have learned during our school years.”
We present to you, our followers, a taste of the graduation, hoping you will read our Special Report for a more comprehensive visit.
Our traditional dancers.
The Sewing Center models.
Kindergarten graduates.
There is much more. Be sure to visit the Urukundo Graduation 2022 Special!
We had a special wedding and reception at Home Made Real House. Executive Secretary Eric married the love of his life, Noella, on July 23. All Urukundo staff celebrated with them.
Honored guests.
Wedding guests visit Mama’s house to view the pictures of animals. Elephant, giraffe, zebra and gorilla. Out of camera range is a lion.
Our ladies dress very elegantly in the traditional wedding style.
Mediatrice, Liberatha, Libby, Juliette, Cecile and Chantel.
The wedding cake and decorations (colored lighting is magic) were beautiful.
Eric gives good hugs.
What an exciting month for Urukundo!
Our Mama & Baby Project reaches out to include those who worship with Urukundo. We care for little ones in need, not just newborns.
Hope is a bag of needed items for a newborn as part of our outreach at the Worship Center.
Enjoy every day to the fullest. Time moves so fast. Share your love and joy with friends and family at every opportunity. Live, love and be happy.
Mama
Graduation at Urukundo Foundation / Urukundo Learning Center.July 2022.
We started off with practice on the basketball court in early July.
Band and Marching unit in practice.
Adding the school band to the graduation ceremony is exciting for the kids.
The day finally arrives July 22nd, 2022.
Trucks bring tents and chairs and the setup work begins.
A platform was constructed for the band with a cover. 5 hours in the direct sun would have been bad for the students, their director, and instruments. Band set up ready to work.
Primary students anticipate a very special day. Are we ready? Yes, we are.
Urukundo Students wow! A vision to behold.
I marvel at the growth in numbers, from past graduations with about 15 graduates to the present graduation with 117 graduates. More children are receiving an education every year. Because you care, Urukundo is making a difference.
Kindergarden
Ready for a march to the football field for the ceremony.
Primary 6
Primary 6 graduates are all set to follow Kindergarten graduates.
Jubilation
The march begins to the football field. Primary 1 and parents on the march. We honor our neighbors with a parade.
P2 students parade.
P3 you can see the age difference.
P4 in Sports clothes.
P5 our future 2023 graduates.
The sewing Center graduates complete the marching line.
P6 and Sewing Center grads strut their stuff.
Through the main gate of Urukundo Village.
The parade continues.
We have arrived.
New this year.
A bandstand and a wonderful band and director Emmanuel.
Our own band instruments. We are still renting the sound system.
Violins
Drums
Piano
Guitar
Presenting for our parents and friends.
Precision marching.
Saluting the honored guests as they pass, A Rwandan tradition.
Music is essential. Chorus is accompanied by music supplied by the learning center band.
Primary 6 leads the National Anthem.
A special moment for a little sister
Older brother is graduating and leaving the school. He will be missed by his young sister who is also a student. The two of them sharing a song together touched my heart..
Traditional Music.
Girls, traditional dancing.
Traditional Dance. Boys and Girls.
Honored guests, even me. Urukundo’s Headmaster, Viateur, Mama, and Olive, Mama’s assistant.
Urukundo Director Jean Marie, Jeanne d’arc executive secretariat Kinihira sector / Ruhango District, and Oswald the President of the Urukundo National Board were among the honored guests.
Daniel Habyarimana. Director of Education for Muhanga District was the guest speaker of the day.
Awards were given to outstanding students.
Best student Albertine Tuyishime Uwase at Sewing School.
Director of Music gives award to Primary One student Luc Hategekimana who plays the piano in the band.
Awards for best grades from P1 to P6 were given to these 6 students.
There were many more awards given.
I was privileged to be the mom when Claudine was given a special award. Claudine received an award as an outstanding student.
Claudine receiving her special award.
On presenting Claudine’s award, headmaster Viatiur said Claudine has proven that disability is not an inability.
Claudine is our only graduate from Urukundo Home for Children this year. Claudine is family.
We are Claudine’s family. Her Mama, Claudine, Chantel her Urukundo Auntie, Seraphine her older Urukundo sister.
Claudine's advisor Libby, Claudine, and Olive, Mama’s assistant.
A presentation by the Sewing Center students.
Fashions for special occasions.
An everyday dress can be elegant with matching head dress. Men's shirts are part of the tailoring program.
Stylish jackets enhance any outfit.
Knee-length attire is now in fashion.
Perfect for a dinner date.
The Sewing Center students learn the basics of sewing & tailoring, learn to create designs, and are willing to model what they feel are their best creations.
Each student received a sewing starter kit. Their teacher Epiphanie and Headmaster Viateur assisted me in presenting the gifts.
In conclusion, thank you for taking the graduation journey with me. I hope it gives you pleasure and a good look at what Urukundo Foundation with your help is able to provide for the students in our school.
CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL GRADUATES.
THANK YOU FOR HELPING TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE!
Ok, When is it my turn? The future in his eyes.
Wonderful group photo. Love it.
June is a month mixed with joy as the renovation starts on the relocation of the Dental Clinic and sadness as I watch the destruction of my lovely yard and the beautiful old tree become firewood.
I walked down the mountain to stand in what was the great room in my former dwelling. The window is gone and a larger one will take its place.
Jean Marie stands with me viewing what was my beautiful front yard. This room will now be the patient waiting room. Sad to see the garden go but necessary.
It was a big beautiful tree with problems. Remember when in July 2018 a large section yielded to the storm and landed in the driveway? Same tree, but we won’t have to worry about it falling on the house anymore.
This will be the parking area for dental patients. The tree limbs will make good firewood when propane gas runs out.
Area being prepared for off-street parking.
Welders making frames for new windows.
Small windows give way to larger ones. The workers are replacing windows and adding more ventilators.
Air conditioning is not needed, but airflow is so important
Windows and ventilators completed.
The very old roof was removed. Ready for metal sheets that will protect the interior from rain and wind.
Blue metal sheets arrive.
Frame support work in place. This is work to be completed before a new roof can be placed.
In process.
The new roof is on. Work inside to begin.
