Family visitors

It is a joy for me when any of my family from the USA visits my home and volunteers at the Urukundo Learning Center.

Timothy Brown, my grandson, and his son, Mason, my great-grandson, arrived on June 5.

This is the third visit for Tim and the second for Mason.

Grandson Tim and I enjoyed early morning coffee using the new outdoor table and chairs, a gift from Marilyn Ely Yorks, treasurer of our International Board. Her visit to Urukundo was in the May newsletter.

The day before their arrival, many suitcases arrived with a team from SUNY Buffalo State University in Buffalo, New York, USA. Our vehicle transported the suitcases from the airport to Urukundo.

Unpacking and distributing the contents had priority. After a rest day, our staff, Tim, and Mason went to work immediately unpacking, sorting, and distributing the contents.

We unpacked suitcases containing much-needed supplies for our school, neighborhood children, and the Mama & Baby project. We were able to do in a few hours what would have taken much longer without their help. Thank you to all who made this gift possible.

After the work project, Mason joined the friends he had made on his first visit. At that time, all were in Primary 3. This visit, they are in Primary 5. It has been two years and counting.

He became involved in sports.

Kickball was fun.

Music, especially the drums, added flavor to ongoing activities.

We have our sample desk and chair for the students attending our secondary O Level school. That led to testing. To prepare for the school's opening, we have ordered 100 to be constructed. Two students per desk.

Nuri Benoit and Zetie

Mason and friends tried out the new desk and chairs.

Yep, it will work just fine.

While Mason spent time at the Learning Center, Tim was playing with the kids at the daycare

Love this photo. Tim's hat on a little head. What fun!

Meeting with older students was included in his agenda.

A mob scene is always special when it includes Urukundo students.

Tim is a member of the Hope Made Real board of directors. Introducing him to our Village Leader, his wife, and daughter was my pleasure.

Parting is such sweet sorrow, but they have promised to return.

A yearly event

The Anne Frank Project at SUNY Buffalo State University Team 2025

The Anne Frank Project at SUNY Buffalo State University  uses stories as vehicles for community building, conflict management, and identity exploration.

Each year in early June, the Anne Frank Project team arrives to spend time with Urukundo Learning Center and Muhanga area teachers.

First stop: Mama’s residence and the head office. Then two days with the teachers.

Their purpose is to teach teachers to use storytelling as a way to communicate directly with others with like conflicts and stories.

Then on to the Urukundo Learning Center.

Love and sharing are the key components for all.

While here, they learn about the Urukundo Learning Center and spend time in our classrooms with our students.

Emmanuel, head of the music department, demonstrates his ability on the saxophone.

Our Music Department is limited to a very small space in the teachers' resource building. Our need is to expand the music program. With added facilities, we hope to encourage visitors interested in music to volunteer and share their expertise with our students. We are looking forward to expanding the Music Department soon (after completion of the Secondary School). It will include a soundproof room for band and chorus practice. That improvement will reduce sound that tends to disturb other classes close by. We know it isn’t noise, but we must admit it can be a bit much. Financing and prayers are needed.

Sharing Mama’s (my) story was a highlight for me as I hosted this remarkable team in my home.

Creativity

Volunteer Clyde Santana, who visited Urukundo from the USA in May, has been a screenwriter and mural painter for some time. For Urukundo and our school, he is a master puppeteer and friend who believes that puppets are a useful tool in storytelling.

Hope and Imagination Theater (HIT)  exists thanks to his love of children and encouragement of their creativity. Clyde has purchased playwriting software for our media center.

He is active in encouraging scriptwriting and playwriting for both teachers and children, allowing children to use their imagination. We look forward to his return.

Urukundo’s theater

The theater is far from finished, but it will be ready for productions when the new school year opens in September. It stands on its own. It is portable and will have a home in the new and improved library and activity facility. It can be moved from the activity facility to classrooms to the auditorium, wherever a story needs to be told with action puppets. This is our first try at using theater to teach. Guidance would be appreciated as we start this journey.

Improved Library and Activity room.

Changes at the library and Activity Room. Forgot to take before photos. So this will have to do.

On the left is the door into the Library. On the right is the door to the activity Room. Space between the buildings will no longer exist, connecting the two buildings into one.

A large window will fit in this wall.

Work has progressed.

Rear wall.

Waiting to see the finished expansion.

Filling a need

St. Paul’s United Methodist Church in State College, Pennsylvania, USA, shares outreach efforts with Urukundo Foundation. Their outreach is to the State College community and a global outreach that includes Urukundo Foundation. This time, our families received shoes. Thank you, St Paul's UMC.

Children coming in hopes a pair will fit. Children arrive anticipating lollipops and shoes.

A day of sharing shoes for little feet.

A variety of sizes

Footwear for adults: flip-flops, sneakers, and dress shoes.

Checking out their good shoes.

Career in progress

A young man needing a residence in Rwanda for a research project in linguistics contacted Urukundo for living quarters while he pursued his career goals. It helped that he was recommended by a former board member, Kyle Jerro. We were happy to welcome him. His stay has been different but delightful.

His name is Patrick Kinchsular. Patrick is from Canada. At present he is attending New York University.

Patrick arrived while Tim and Mason were here.

Friendships are made at Urukundo.

He joined the village tour.

He met our neighbors, explored Muhanga town, had meals with Mama and beat her playing Uno.

He spent time at the Learning Center connecting with students and studying Kinyarwanda, the spoken language here.

Best of all, he will be here for graduation and has volunteered to be Urukundo’s photographer.

Message from Mama

Wow, what a month! Each time I think things are winding down, I am reminded there is more to be done. Summer has arrived, vacations started, and many are traveling. Enjoy whatever you are doing and stay safe.

Urukundo students are busy preparing for graduation. They like sharing their accomplishments with family and friends. The week of July 1, Primary 6 students will take National Exams. Prayers for success are requested.  Graduation exercises are on July 11.

Would love to see you there.
Mama

May newsletter

The end of April was a busy time for our visitors, who arrived in April: Carol Falke, from State College, Pennsylvania, USA, and Marilyn and Ward Yorks from Williamsport, Pennsylvania, USA. Carol and Marilyn are members of the International Board of Hope Made Real. Ward is a retired teacher.

They made a visit to a local village, and a driving tour of Muhanga town and the super highways (tongue in cheek) in rural Muhanga.

Our HR person Juliette greeted them at the gate to her home.

Juliette entertained Carol (left), Marilyn and Ward at her home and in her village. Fanta and peanuts were a treat.

The village

Village children ran to greet our volunteers.

Children

Adults did their part.

Carol is a hiker. On one of her hikes, she visited the water source at the bottom of the mountain.

Forest Hills Rotary in the United States, Kigali Virunga Rotary in Rwanda, and Rotary International made this water source possible.

The vehicle of the tour group Let's Go There Africa was the transportation to Akagera National Park and a big animal safari.

Too close for comfort. Wow!

On his last day, the little boy in Ward wanted to sit on a moto bike and dream of younger days. Motos are our main source of local transportation. Wish granted.

Marilyn and Ward, who visited for nearly two weeks, and Carol, who stayed a few days longer, got ready for their journey back to the USA. We bid them a fond farewell.

Secondary School progress

We continued to make progress on the construction of the new Secondary O Level School that will serve grades 7, 8, and 9.

May 1

While we were watching the progress on the first classrooms, the other four were being constructed. Now paying attention, we are seeing the progress already made. Astonishing.

Front view of all four classrooms and the inside stairway on May 1.

May 19, front view, lower floor.

May 19, top view.

May 26, general view as to where the Secondary School is located. The library and school office are on the left in the photo.

May 26