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Visitors

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What could be more wonderful than to have two daughters come home at the same time? That happened to me in September.

My Rwandan daughter Solange arrived on Sept. 16.

Read about her in my book “Hope Made Real: The Story of Mama Arlene and the Children of Urukundo” on Page 74. Her story is unique. She moved from Rwanda to McAllen, Texas, when she was about 13. She became a citizen of the USA and now lives in New Mexico, USA. This was her first visit home since leaving Urukundo as a little girl.

Accompanying Solange were her fiance Mark and his sister Ana. Solange was surprised at the many changes at Urukundo and in Rwanda. While at Urukundo, they visited Akagera National Park and the King’s Palace at Nyanza.

Urukundo Director Jean Marie (right) led them on a tour of Urukundo.

They stopped at the new dental facility.

The day care children greeted Mark.

Solange got lots of hugs from staff who knew her as a little girl.

They are hikers and sightseers. Solange enjoyed showing her guests her country, Rwanda.

Aline walked with them.

The next daughter to arrive was my youngest daughter, Jacque, who arrived on Sept. 18. I do have three daughters in the USA plus two daughters-in-law.

Jacque was accompanied by her husband, Sean. His smiling face made my heart sing.

Spending time with the little ones at the daycare was a highlight in their visit.

Daycare manager Anitha looks on with an approving smile.

A special vehicle is needed for a visit to Akagera National Park and the King's Palace Museum.

Urukundo has access to such a vehicle through Let’s Go There Africa.

So much to see and do. My favorite photo is my son-in-law and the big horned cow.

Sean petting the royal cow at the King's Palace.

Notice he did not pet the elephants at Akagera National Park.

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Worship

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Pastor Yves and co-pastor Chantel had the pleasure of presenting Bibles to our two P6 graduates during the worship service.

Presenting Bibles

Sunday School resumes

In 2020, all group gatherings were stopped to prevent the spread of the Covid-19 virus. In late 2021, groups were allowed to meet with distancing and masks, but children under age 12 were not allowed to be in those gatherings. Now it is 2022, and we rejoice. Our young children are again in our midst. Sunday School resumed as a part of our worship.

This was our first Sunday School since covid stopped all children under age 12 from coming to worship.

It was so great to welcome the children back.

Sunday School must have a teacher. We welcome and thank teacher Donatille.

New school year

The 2022-23 school year opened at Urukundo Learning Center and in all of Rwanda.

First day at school, 3-year-old, separation problems.

Leaving mama is the hard part.

First day of school, 4-year-olds, no separation problem. What a difference a year makes!

Many young minds will be stimulated as our new school year begins. I like this quote from Nelson Mandela: “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.”

Our motto for all students is: “ Do your best, to be your best.”

Mama

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August 2022 Newsletter

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No one is indispensable, and I am delighted to share with you, my followers, that the Urukundo Foundation functions very well when I am not functioning.

August has been interesting. Healthwise for me, it was scary. I have had many cough and cold episodes. In Rwanda, it was seasonal. With so many seasonal changes in Rwanda, the bug did not just go away as it usually did. It decided to hang around and introduce a friend. That friend’s name is pneumonia. Yes, I have had the pneumonia shot along with many other shots and that shot probably helped me survive. But it did not keep me from the infection.

Being a stubborn woman, I chose not to seek medical help and so allowed the infection to become severe. Two weeks after a hospital stay of six days, I am back home and healthy again.

Lesson learned: At any age, do not be your own doctor.

The proof is in the pudding.

Dental Clinic update

Working hard to renovate the old residence into an improved Dental Clinic, we are nearing success. Caring for our clients is important. Thus, steps and a ramp are both necessary and available.

The remaining work to be done on the handicap ramp is side rails to avoid an accident. Wheelchairs could overrun the ramp. Putting the rails in place is an added cost but necessary.

The interior work is complete. We are now waiting for the Ministry of Health to approve the renovation. We hope the final update will come in the September newsletter. In the meantime, we are still working from the old location.

View of the front entrance and parking area.

Love being able to see the trees in the neighbor's yard. I do miss the lawn and shade tree.

Weddings in August

I am starting a portfolio of wedding decorations at the Hopemadereal (HMR) House.

I am fascinated with the many different ways brides decorate the HMR House for their weddings and thought you, my friends, might like to see them. The families of the wedding party bring the decorations and do the decorating before and dismantling after the celebration. Each one is unique to the bride and her family.

This one is quite simple but lovely.

Gold seems to be the theme for this one. Notice the lanterns.

Red is the central color beginning with red roses and red tablecloths.

Return visitors

From left, Soso, Louise, Lucky and Claude #1.

It was a delight for the boys and me to welcome home Louise Medland. Louise has been a part of the Urukundo family for many years, and she has been Lucky's support person since Lucky was 6 months old. Lucky is now 15 years old and in his fourth year of high school. Louise also spent time with me at the hospital. I so appreciated her care. Louise comes to Urukundo from the UK.

When you are not feeling up to par, it is great to have friends come to visit. A visit from Dr. Otto Fischer of Austria gave my spirits a much-needed lift. Otto brought me chocolate from his home in Austria.

A bit of chocolate each day is good for the body and especially mine. Next best to Fritos Corn Chips and peppermint patties. OK, so I have a few vices. These are not bad ones, just fattening.

Always a welcome visitor, Bruce Krogh of the USA minus Margie arrived for a short visit. He had lunch with Mama in her dining room. School is not in session, so Bruce spent the afternoon with our kids who are visiting also.

School break

The secondary kids who were home at the end of the school year joined our home kids for a photo shoot.

From left, secondary kids Claude #1, Lucky, Kenilla and Kenny along with Forever, who is in primary; Yves, who is in secondary; and Claudine who will start secondary in September.

Others who could not make it home and are in secondary boarding schools are David, Nellie, John, Livine and Sarah.

Our recent Primary 6 graduates are Claudine, Kaboss, Egide and Claude #2.

Claude #2 will start secondary school this year along with Claudine.

Welcoming home our secondary kids during the long school break between school years is an event we look forward to. They need the time to be together, and I need the time to see them and know they are OK.

Support is still needed for all these children.

Kenilla helping out at the daycare.

Playing games at Mama’s table.

Kenny and Kenilla and Rummikub.

Next game up is Qwirkle. Yves joins the fun.

Sports are included in the activities.

Volleyball net is in place.

The need for basketball nets is apparent. Kids use the rims without a net now.

Volleyball

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.