July Newsletter

As usual, this newsletter begins with the last week of the previous month. My greatest joy was the arrival of my daughter Patricia on June 25 from the USA.

Rev. Dr. Patricia “Tricia” D. Brown.

Patricia was one of the founders of our NGO, Hope Made Real, and served as chair on the first board of directors.

Added blessing

Imagine having one of my Rwandan daughters Lilliane and one of my American daughters Patricia visiting their mom, me. How great is that?

Patricia brought three other volunteers with her. From left, Mama, Susan and Randy Herbst, Rev. Dr. Patricia Brown and Dr. Debra Spatz, who is a surgeon.

Volunteers Susan and Randy Herbst celebrated their seventh wedding anniversary at Urukundo.

Flowers, champagne, a card and cake with a sparkler.

Our admin staff and team members enjoyed the celebration.

Mama, Director Jean Marie, Susan, Randy, Patricia, Debra, Libby, Julie, Benjamin and Esperance. Happy seventh anniversary, Susan and Randy!

Headmaster Viateur, teachers and preschool students welcome three of our volunteers to the opening exercise at the Urukundo Learning Center.

Getting involved.

Students gave Dr. Debra instructions on drumming. Our students are good teachers.

Library

Sharing time includes reading with our students. English is their second language, and they learn by listening.

Daycare

Randy, Susan and the children had fun together.

Worship

Pastor Patricia was invited to present at worship. Teamwork is what it is all about.

Randy, Patricia, Susan, Desire (interpreter) and Pastor Yves

Worship was special as Rev. Patricia, with help from many in the congregation, taught about following Jesus and becoming fishers of people.

Tricia and Claudine shared time together while sitting on the flower garden wall at Mama's residence.

Trip to Akagera (2 days, 1 night)

Debra, Randy and Susan journeyed to Akagera.

I am told these hippos are dangerous on land. Glad they are in the lake at Akagera.

Day trip to Kigali City

The volunteers visited the car-free district of Kigali City.

Back at Urukundo

Patricia, Debra and Susan sorted and folded clothing in the incoming donations room.

Farm and cowboy

Cowboy Randy. Hey, cowboys in Rwanda do milk cows.

Kitchen

Volunteer Susan helped in the kitchen. Peeling and chopping duties are shared with Seraphina.

The new tables are the right height and are easier to keep clean.

Dental

Part of Tricia’s mission was to deliver new trays for the Dental Clinic.  The trays were donated to Urukundo Dental Clinic by Tricia’s dentist, Lisa Fonas in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA. We are grateful.

Dentist Rene and assistant Rahab inspect the new tray sleeves. What a blessing!

Dental personnel Oliver and Rahab help Patricia unload trays from the suitcase. The suitcases are returned to the sender in hopes they will come back in the future filled with precious, needed items.

Graduation 2024

Sing along with me. No, it is not “The 12 Days of Christmas.” It is the “12 Events of Graduation.”

On the day of graduation, our school presented to us:

One group parading. Preschool leads the procession to the celebration.

Two models strutting. Not only are they kindergarten graduates, but the Tom Nunnally Sewing Center students made what they are wearing.

Three strong men. The karate instructor makes three.

Four judges judging. Debating is a big deal in our school. The debate was about homework. Is it good or should it be eliminated?

Five friends donated. The Jacksons are from Reston, Virginia, USA, and have been my friends and supporters of Urukundo Learning Center and Foundation for many years. Thanks, Mary, Bill and sons.

Six sewers sewing. They made the outfits they are wearing.

Seven kids reciting. The French Club speaking French thrilled their parents and grandparents.

Eight celebrating. The outstanding student in this year's sewing and tailoring class is 21-year-old Lean Kwizera. He is the recipient of a sewing machine presented by Forest Hills Rotary Club in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA, in loving memory of Tom Nunnally, a true Rotarian and founder of the sewing school that bears his name. In the photo are Lean’s three sisters; a parent presenter; Lean; Mama; Danial Habimana, director of education for the district; and Headmaster Viateur Ngiruwonsanga standing to honor him as he receives his award.  We wish him well as he begins a new journey in the workforce.

All students received equipment to begin their sewing careers.

Thank you, Forest Hills Rotary.

Nine drummers drumming. Drumming is awesome.

Ten dancers dancing. Our traditional dancers class demonstrates their dancing skills for parents and guests.

Eleven graduates singing.  Look out, Primary 1. The kindergarteners are full of energy and hope.

Twelve students demonstrating. The Karate Club at Urukundo Learning Center has grown from just a few to many.  Both boys and girls.  Love those belts.

The graduation presentation ended with an excerpt from a poem written by a Primary 6 student, who read it at graduation. In Rwanda, a poem is simply a talk.

This is the message I received:

Mama, you should use this part of the poem in the newsletter.
Esperance.

Here’s the poem:

Mummy built the Urukundo Foundation because she loved children. This one we all see, therefore no child should feel disgusted.
Instead, all children should say Hallelujah.
I'd like to express my gratitude to our loving mother, who greets everyone with a warm hug. She helps the poor and orphans. Help me thank this parent.

Message from Mama

July is a month of celebration in both the USA and Rwanda. We have this in common. July 4 is Liberation Day in Rwanda and Independence Day in the USA. They are celebrated differently, but in both countries the day is important. I miss the firecrackers, fireworks and hoopla in the USA but enjoy the quiet celebration in Rwanda at this time in my life. God bless the USA, and God bless Rwanda.

Kids of all ages enjoy the summer break and prepare for the 2024-25 school year. At the Urukundo Learning Center, our motto is: “ Education is the light.” Do your best and make your light shine bright.

Mama

June newsletter

The June newsletter begins on a somber note.

Our Learning Center and faculty paid tribute to those who died in the Genocide.

On May 30, students, faculty and staff marched in the local Genocide memorial parade.

Foundation President Oswald and Executive Director Jean Marie placed flowers at the base of the Kabagayi Genocide Memorial Site, which is a place of entombment.

Story competition

Urukundo Learning Center students were ready for this month's competition on May 31.

The competition was a story competition. Our students presented the stories they had created themselves after a long time using the school library.

Students with stories were ready and waiting their turn to present.

I am sharing one story with you my readers as written. No editing.

The Urukundo Learning Center presents Vanessa Kundwa Niyogisubizo, a student in Primary 4.

The title of the story is “Jolie and Her Mother.”

Once up on time there was a good girl called Jolie. One day her mother told Jolie: “come here and I tell you”. And her mother told her, I’m going to give you money and go to the market and buy cabbages, tomatoes and cassava.

When she reaches to the market, she bought ball and clothes, when she came back home her mother told her “give me what I told you to buy”. When her mother saw what she bought is different from what she told her to buy, then Jolie says:” Yes, you told me to buy a ball and clothes”. And her mother says I am going to punish you and Jolie cried:” forgive me Mom, I will never do it again”

“I forgive you” Mom replied and she told Jolie to go to close the door. Jolie was very happy for being forgiven.

The moral lesson of my story is “to obey our parents and to do what they want us to do”.

June volunteers

Ladies from United Christian Parish in Reston, Virginia, USA, arrived on June 1 for an 11-day stay.

Anika, left, and her mom Debby; Emily and her mom Amy.

Travel to Urukundo was by minibus.

Our visitors were officially welcomed by Ollie. Then Mama.

At worship, photographer Emily was a hit with the kids.

More volunteers, Elizabeth Barbaro of North Carolina, and her nephew Andrew Trezza arrived on schedule June 4.

The volunteers from United Christian Parish and the newcomers joined forces and took side trips together.

The two teams became fast friends and visited the Zipline drone project and the site of the King’s Palace.

The four from UPC took a photo with me at Urukundo and then left on June 11 to travel to Kigali City to spend several days there before returning home to the USA.

On June 13, Andrew started his journey home. His visit was short. Here’s hoping he will return and stay longer.

Elizabeth stayed for 16 days. Her passion was the daycare. She is loved.

A trip to the Azizi Life Cultural Center added to her Rwanda experience.

Elizabeth received instructions as to how to weave from experts. The large mats and crafts are works of art.

 Elizabeth waved goodbye to Urukundo.

New storage building

The four volunteers from United Christian Parish worked very hard to set up the rooms and help sort incoming gifts.

This structure was built to serve as a temporary kitchen while construction was taking place on the new kitchen. It was constructed to be used later for much needed storage.

The transition from the old rooms to the new storage rooms took a lot of work.

These four ladies worked very hard to set up the rooms, organizing incoming gifts and designating where they are needed.

Supplies for the Mama & Baby Project.

Supply manager Libby’s cleaning supplies and bulk products storage.

What would have taken me weeks, they accomplished in a short time. I am grateful. Painting will be done in all of the rooms after the concrete dries.

A special journey with Buffalo State College

On June 8-9, the Urukundo Learning Center and our teachers again welcomed The Anne Frank Project from Buffalo State College (SUNY Buffalo) in Buffalo, New York, USA. The project uses stories as a vehicle for community building, conflict resolution and identity.

The visit has become a yearly event. This year, 11 students and two faculty members came from Buffalo State to Urukundo to participate in the program.

The purpose is to provide Urukundo’s teachers with the knowledge and ability to conduct the teaching sessions themselves. Teachers teach teachers to be able to teach other teachers. The program shows success. Leading in this year's module were our teachers from Urukundo Learning Center. Congratulations, Urukundo teachers. Well done.

I am proud of our teachers and their success.

Urukundo Learning Center team

The Buffalo team (with Mama) advised and made suggestions.

More than 90 local teachers from Urukundo and neighboring schools took part in the two-day teaching and learning experience.

On June 10, the Buffalo team spent the day at the school.

They also visited the daycare.

They participated in sports with our students. Fun was had by all.

We look forward to next year.

More volunteers

Return guests are always welcome.

Learning Center dean Anuarite, center,  welcomed returnee Keena, right, and her travel colleague, Yiwei.

Keena, a Pennsylvanian, first visited Urukundo in 2009. She indirectly started our instrumental music program by introducing the violin and made it possible for Urukundo to receive additional violins from J.R. Judd Violins, a shop in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, USA. Our music program continues to grow with a full-time music teacher, a school chorus, and an orchestra. Keena is a teacher at the Chinese International School in Hong Kong, China. Although Keena has been back many times, this was Yiwei’s first trip to Africa. 

Headmaster Viateur, third from left, and school secretary Adeline, left, welcomed our visitors to the Urukundo Learning Center.

Keena and Yiwei spent happy hours with the little ones at the daycare.

The final day of their visit.

Love Yiwei’s new Rwandan dress.

Urukundo Learning Center field trip

All aboard for the Primary 6 (sixth-grade) trip. The trip is always a thrill for our students. This year, the trip was to discover and learn about their heritage.

They saw how the king lived long ago. This is a replica of the King's Palace.

Urukundo kids and teachers were photographed in front of the King's Palace. So many shoes! In Rwandan culture, you never enter the palace wearing shoes.

Yves Irakoze sat where the king sat to give out judgments to his people when there was a monarchy.

Cows are a traditional animal in Rwanda. Our students were amazed at the size of the horns. These are not the same cows as on our farm.

The next stop on their journey to learn about Rwanda's history was at the Rwanda Cultural Heritage Academy.

New kitchen

The long hoped-for kitchen is finally a hope made real.

It has propane gas cookers.

There is a wash station for large pans and utensils.

Stainless steel tables are for preparing fruits, vegetables and other foods.

A cart on wheels is for transporting huge pans of hot food to the serving area.

Shelves are for large pans and cooking utensils after washing.

Empty shelves are awaiting appliances such as a microwave, blender and mixer. There are four rooms down the hall: a dressing room, an office, a storage room for fresh foods, and a storage room for bulk food such as rice, beans and cooking oil.

Message from Mama

A huge THANK YOU to all who made the kitchen possible.

And an overdue thank you:

Urukundo/Hope Made Real, which is a foundation based on love, is blessed to have many of different faiths as part of our Urukundo family. Our support system is not large but mighty. We serve an awesome God and together we are making a difference. I want to thank everyone in the many walks of life who have taken this mission into their hearts and decided to share in our love. My hope is that many of you will come as volunteers to work and witness what we have accomplished together. I invite you to share the love.

Mama