Puzzling

Many of you know my time to relax is used in working on jigsaw puzzles. The perfect personal gift for me is a new puzzle.

A special puzzle. The Lucky Wagon team from Switzerland, who volunteered in 2024, took photos while they were here and had a puzzle made and sent to us. What fun to see our faces and the faces of the team!

Ruby from Maine wanted me to remember winter in the USA. After volunteering here, she sent this puzzle. I shiver just looking at it.

Snow is not my favorite thing. Photos or puzzles of snow are OK. Thank you, Ruby and Jim.

My house manager Libby assisted me in this endeavor.

Kitchen news

Our kitchen now has the tools needed, thanks to Maddi Dunlap and her team of women at  WAWHO. Maddi is a co-founder WAWHO – We Are Women Helping Others – in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, USA.

Abdoul, left, who is a sales person for the equipment, demonstrated the equipment for two of the kitchen staff members, Onasimo and Seraphine. Life just got easier in the kitchen.

Urukundo Learning Center news

We hosted our first debate competition between the Urukundo Learning Center and Bright Future Academy.

Subject: Education or money. Question: Which is more important?

Urukundo students welcomed the Bright Academy students as they arrived. Two busloads.

Our library amazed them.

Visiting the library.

Walking across campus. There were many students. They were most welcome.

Team #1 Urukundo: Education is most important.

Team #2 Bright Academy: Money is most important.

Judges. The teachers got the tough job. Both sides did a good job, but all agreed that education is essential to earning money. Money cannot buy education. Both must work together. The winner of the debate: education. Congratulations, Team #1.

Photo after the debate. Everyone had a glass of joy – a bottle of Fanta soda pop.

The rematch will happen in the near future.

Staying in shape is the priority of morning exercise. As much for the teachers as for the students. Not for Mama Arlene.

Tim’s tree

Many years ago, my then young grandson came to experience Urukundo. While here, Tim planted a very small tree sprout. It grew into a mature tree, as he has grown into a mature young man. He now serves on the International Board of Directors for the organization.

Highlight

This was the highlight of the month for me. The dancers on the last Sunday of the month were little children. I am told next week they will come and sing for me. Can’t wait.

A message from Mama

About two years ago, I was informed and sent a memo to followers that the hopemadereal.org address would no longer be valid for emails. I have been told lately that everyone did not get the memo. I am saying it again hopemadereal as an email address is not valid. This did not affect the website, only email addresses.

I love to hear from my followers. I can be emailed at brown.arlene30@gmail.com

Thank you.

Sending much love.

Mama

January Newsletter

January First. Umwaka Mushya! (Happy New Year!) A new year has begun.

On New Year's Day, I had a wonderful visit from the Urukundo Fellowship. They walked to my home to wish me a Happy New Year.

Pastor Yves came along to sing with us on this New Year's Day. I felt so blessed. What a wonderful way to start 2025 and my 95th year! Imagine that.

Gifts

Here are two gifts I received. They are different. Rather neat.

One is a thank you from a wedding.

The other is from the graduation of two of my Urukundo kids from university.

New murals

There is new art on the school wall.

This mural emphasizes sports and play.

This one focuses on education. The artist does this freehand. What talent!

Beautiful babies

We celebrate the birth of our beautiful babies. One at a time is good, but I wonder how often this supplication is transmitted to God. This question is asked in prayer.

“Dear God, you know I am poor. Why do you give me two babies at one time?” This mother loves her babies but is asking why, in a land where life is fragile, food is scarce and love is abundant. My heart aches for her.

Four babies were born on this day.

Secondary school in the works

Construction is underway at the top of the mountain for classrooms for a Secondary O Level school serving grades 7, 8 and 9. This has long been a dream.

Jan.1. Let's watch it develop together a month at a time. Our goal is to open in September 2025.

Jan. 10

Jan. 26. Leveling completed. The rocks and stones will be used for the retaining wall foundation and wall.

January visitor

Michelle Schwartzman, representative of the United Methodist Volunteers in Mission (UMVIM) of the Susquehanna Conference in the USA, visited the Urukundo Foundation.

She gave Urukundo a plaque from Grace United Methodist Church, her home congregation in Lemoyne, Pennsylvania, USA.

Sharing the love. Michelle sang along with our choir.

What a fellowship! What a peace is mine! Sharing the love.

Our faith community came to Mama’s home to welcome Michelle. Liberatha (in blue) and Michelle found they share something in common. Both are helpmates and wives of serving pastors. Pastor Jason and Pastor Yves.