Adult English classes

It has long been my hope to offer adult classes in reading, writing, and English to our employees (including cleaners, guards, daycare workers) and the community.  Many older citizens did not have the opportunity to go to school. Learning to read and write would make a difference in their lives.

Over the school vacation, we offered an adult English as a second language program as an experiment. The class was offered free to all Urukundo employees who want to learn English. I am so proud of this group. The dedication of the students impressed the Urukundo Foundation and Learning Center. Because of its success, we will continue the program as a permanent project.

Teachers Remy Paul and Desire are the instructors for the English class. You can see Desire behind me, in the white shirt. Remy Paul is more than halfway across the front row, wearing a black leather jacket.

This is our second successful adult education program. The first is the Tom Nunnally Sewing Center. We hope that in the future more adult classes can be added to benefit the foundation staff and the community.

New school year

The first day of the 2024-25 school year was Sept. 9.

School days, school days. Good old Golden Rule days.

There are still too many kids coming to school on motos.

Bicycles are even more dangerous.

The first day was especially hard for our preschool baby class. Three-year-olds have a tough time being left by mama for the first time. Tears and fears. Older sister helps a little.

Who said school would be fun? I want to go home.

I can hide. Maybe they won't see me here.

Not even a porridge drink is better than mama’s love.

The daycare is a safe place.

Hey, mama, the daycare suits me fine. No school for me.

Ok, maybe I will like it here after all. Porridge has always been a staple in our preschool. This year, bread has been added. Nutrition is so very important if the student is to be successful.

Kindergarten graduates are now in Primary 1. This is their first time with a desk and a chair.

A story to tell

Many of you will remember the story of Bruno. His mama, a neighbor of Urukundo, died of covid just hours after his birth. His grandmother was left with an infant she could not care for.

Urukundo, being a good neighbor, stepped up to help the grandmother care for this precious baby boy. Adeline, secretary at the Learning Center and a close neighbor, became a foster parent. Our daycare provided a safe place for him to be during the day while she worked.

Josie O'Reilly, a teacher volunteering at Urukundo from a school in China, the Chinese International School, met Bruno and fell in love with him. She became his support person. It does take a village. That was three years ago.

Now three years later, Bruno had his first day in baby class at preschool. Not a happy camper.

Finding his daycare buddy Ethan made the transition a little better. Good to have a friend.

Volunteers for September

We welcomed a team of three volunteers from the USA in September. The team was led by Ruby Soso from Maine. She was joined by her sister Cassi Ney from Pennsylvania and their cousin Barbara Campbell from New Jersey. Ruby was pastor at Wrightsville Hope United Methodist Church in Pennsylvania 20 years ago when I started my ministry. My visit was to ask the church for prayers and support. Ruby and I became fast friends. This visit to Urukundo Foundation was a long-time dream for Ruby and her husband Jim. Regretfully, because of health problems, Jim was not able to make the trip this time. It is my hope Ruby and the team will return at a later date and Jim will be an addition so that he will experience Urukundo and beautiful Rwanda.

From left, Barb, Cassi, and Ruby.

What a great together time for the three of them! Lots of do-you-remember-when conversations at the breakfast table.

A snack for our visitors: jelly roll and passion fruit juice.

The volunteers helped out in the daycare.

Notice the wall decorations in the daycare dining room.

It takes many hands at lunchtime in the daycare. Volunteers are a blessing.

Playtime is also fun.

Barb and Ruby also visited the Tom Nunnally Sewing Center. Teacher Epyphinie shared the procedures.

Choosing materials

Some of the colorful prints from local vendors

Placing orders for garments is essential. Our sewing center can use the revenue.

Our volunteers often bring supplies for our school and daycare in suitcases.

The volunteers helped to unpack and sort materials they brought to share from the USA.

This help is so special and needed. Less work for me.

Teachers came to the import room to inspect new books and get needed supplies.

Events can be a source of revenue. Our volunteers witnessed the decorations for a wedding celebration in Hope Made Real House. Each wedding party decorates as is appropriate for their color scheme.

The decorators wanted to be in the photo.

Now this is new: a pocket Frisbee. Ruby is doing her best to teach how this works. Kids are not sure about it. Neither am I.

Our September volunteers are here until Oct. 7. Look for an update on their activities with our students in the October newsletter.

Message from Mama

Volunteers are the joy of our students at Urukundo Learning Center. There is so much to share. It is a two-way project. Rwanda teachers and students teach volunteers and learn from volunteers.

If you want a meaningful experience, book a flight and come to the mission Urukundo Foundation (The Love Foundation) at Muhanga, Rwanda. This mission is dedicated to education.

Our motto: Education is the light. Come join us as we hope to make a better life for many deserving children and adults.

Much love,

Mama

August Newsletter

August is a quiet month at Urukundo.

School is not in session.

We share the special events of August with you, our followers.

A wedding, a graduation and a special visit.

The wedding

Congratulations to the newlyweds.

Marilyn Ely has been a part of the Urukundo Family from its inception and we celebrate with her as she begins a new life journey with Ward Yorks. Marilyn is a member of  Hope Made Real the International Board of Directors.

The graduation

Oliver, our dental hygienist, is making an effort to take care of not only the dental program but also looking to improve the business part of the dental program. On Aug. 3, she graduated from Mount Kenya University with a Master's in Business Administration.

Congratulations, Oliver.

The special visit

I am so very happy to welcome home Divine Uwonkunda. Divine was our first little girl in the Urukundo family. The beginning of Divine’s story is on Pages 69 and 96 of the book “Hope Made Real: The Story of Mama Arlene and the Children of Urukundo.” Divine did not stay that little girl. Her story continues in a future publication (maybe). She was not the oldest, just the first to arrive at our home for children.

Divine has grown into a fine woman who graduated from university and, to further her experiences, traveled to Germany in 2021. Her desire to become a pilot has not wavered. Her visit home to Urukundo was just that – a visit. She returns to Germany at the end of August.

Circus time

Ever the ambassador for the Urukundo Foundation, Divine brought volunteers from Germany with her.  The group works with special needs children using a circus theme.

From left: Claudi, Nellie, Christine, Claudi, and Markus. Christine’s passion is serving special needs children at a home in Kibilizi, Rwanda.

Fred was the youngest member of the group. It was a bit hard to catch Fred in a photo. Camera shy, I think.

The main purpose of the circus time group's coming to Rwanda was to support a home and school for special needs children.

Christine Kandebaua has a heart as big as forever. She represents Wir fur Ruanda (We for Rwanda), which runs the Children’s Hope Centre in Kibilizi, Rwanda. It provides children with intellectual disabilities a two-year school and remedial training program. The volunteers brought their circus time program to the Children’s Hope Centre. The kids had a wonderful time. 

Claudi shared some of her photos from the visit with special needs kids with us.

The pure joy on this smiling face is reward enough for making the trip from Germany.

Balancing on a ball is a challenge.

It is possible with a little help from your friends.

The mattress is there to catch the one who might fall. It is important to encourage the children but to ensure their safety.

Pyramid. Well, maybe.

The parachute was a big hit. Our kids at the Urukundo Learning Center enjoy a similar exercise.

Even though their visit was short and our school was not in session, they spent time at the daycare, clapping hands and having pretend tea.

They visited the school.

A classroom

The library

They took a walk near the compound.

We are so grateful they found time in their busy schedule to spend a few days at Urukundo and thank them for bringing our daughter Divine home for a short visit.

Saying goodbye was not final as we hope they will return when school is in session and share their circus talents with Urukundo Learning Center students.

More Urukundo family members return

It is always a blessing when one of my Urukundo kids comes home. Esperance Nyampinga has completed her probationary employment period and is our public relations manager.

She is one of the original 13 girls who made up Urukundo home for girls. You can read about Esperance and our adventure together on Page 210 in “Hope Made Real: The Story of Mama Arlene and the Children of Urukundo.”  Yes, she is the same girl.

An Urukundo son visited home also. Bosco made it home for an overnight visit. He graduates from Mount Kenya University this year.

Quite the handsome young man. Hey, moms are allowed to make such comments.

Worship

It is not easy for me to share this last bit of news, but it is necessary. During the week of Aug. 11, 2024, many church buildings were closed in Rwanda because it is believed they do not comply with the required ordinances. Urukundo Worship Center is one of them.

Urukundo has never been visited by the Rwanda person in charge of determining if we have met the faith-based requirements. We hope that this visit will happen soon and our building will again be a place for the faithful to meet for worship on Sunday mornings. In the meantime, we will meet, a few at a time, and spend time singing and in prayer. The early Christians did not meet in buildings. Jesus taught outdoors.

These young people were baptized Aug.17. Building closed; the church (fellowship) goes on.

Pastor Yves and Assistant Pastor Chantel made sure the newly baptized disciples had a Bible printed in their own language.

Here is Pastor Yves baptizing one of the disciples in a nearby lake.

A memory from Mama

I am not sure how many of you share a memory like this with me. I was baptized by immersion. At age 13, it was decided I should be baptized.

After revival services at Lovejoy, a town near Commodore, Pennsylvania, USA, the whole church – about 30 people – walked to a nearby creek. Brother Tom Shaw walked with me down the bank, and together we walked into the water. I was dipped under the water. Came up soaking wet and in tears. I remember the church singing “Happy Day.” What a day that was!

The girl walking into the lake with Pastor Yves in the photo reminded me of my baptism 80 years ago. For me, it wasn’t a lake. It was a creek in Pennsylvania. It was a happy day. That event in Lovejoy all those years ago started me on a path leading to Africa, Rwanda, and Urukundo where faith, hope, and love abound.

Love, Mama