A Global Engagement Institute (GEI) team came to make a video. GEI offers education and engagement programs for international students and professionals in Africa and Asia.
Chone Chaowai and Elizabeth Scutchfield talked to Mama in her residence.
Elizabeth interviewed teacher Sylverie at Urukundo Learning Center.
Setting up a photo opp.
Our students love being in videos.
Seraphine is all smiles.
Finally, the kitchen has a good refrigerator. The old one bit the dust long ago.
Veterinarian Dr. Otto of Austria paid a short two-hour visit to Urukundo this month. He will return to Rwanda in August 2025 to attend the wedding of one of his Rwandan children. Mama will also attend that wedding, Lord willing. Ollie is front and center as usual. In the photo with Otto and me are his guests, Jophride, left, a business school graduate, and Anitha, right, who just finished law school. Otto has made a difference in so many young lives in Rwanda. Including mine.
I look forward to our volunteers every month. October was special as students and faculty from the Chinese International School (CIS) were expected. A nasty virus – Marburg virus disease – reared its head in Rwanda, and our October volunteers found it necessary to cancel. The welfare of all our volunteers is the priority.
Some cases were found in the country, but none in Muhanga where Urukundo is located. According to the World Health Organization’s risk assessment, travel and trade restrictions are ineffective and unnecessary at this time to control the outbreak. The US Centers for Disease Control issued a travel advisory recommending reconsidering nonessential travel to Rwanda.
It is hoped CIS and others who have also canceled because of the virus will reschedule soon.
I miss you guys.
Love to all.
Mama
My special visitor
Keza is 3 months old.
She is the newest member of our Urukundo family.
Olivier is her papa. He is one of the first boys brought to Urukundo many years ago. Olivier is a university graduate and is employed at Urukundo Learning Center.
Many of you may recall the report in the last newsletter about how many church buildings were closed in Rwanda, including the Urukundo Worship Center.
I am hoping to have good news to share in the next newsletter.
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.
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.
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.
