An Urukundo Learning Center teacher introduced her students to their surroundings. That included my house. The entrance and the garden with its trees, flowers, and stones drew their attention.
Walking to the back of my round house they saw the wall, dog Olies’s house, the water tank, and clotheslines.
My kitchen was new to them. There was much to explain.
Before going back to school, the students passed by my office to say thank you.
There’s a lot of prep work before an artificial tree looks like an almost-real tree.
Unpackaging and sorting begins with wreaths for doors at my residence, pastor’s office, daycare, dental, kitchen, office, dining room, and the Urukundo Learning Center. Simple but very Christmas.
This year is the first year for a tree at the Urukundo Learning Center. I am a very opinionated woman, and for years I have tried to keep Christmas as the Rwandese celebrated it. It was the birth of Christ only. I like that a lot. It was not a tree, Santa Claus, presents, and lots of food. Each year, the commercial part of Christmas becomes more and more prevalent.
When I first came there was little activity in the stores pertaining to Christmas. Twenty-four years later, the stores look a lot like stores in the USA.
Christmas begins to rear its head in late October and early November. To be fair, the children love it and so this year and for years to come there will be a Christmas tree at the Urukundo Learning Center. The last week in November, the tree stood tall and beautiful in the lawn in front of the school office. Bear with me, please, as I adapt to the change.
Our students joined in the work and the fun. The tree comes with needle protectors, which must be removed and then you must separate the branches. This was a new experience for our students.
Watching the tree going up from the steps to second-level classrooms.
Hanging bulbs with care.
Baby class visited the tree.
More decorations were needed. How will the tree weather the first storm? I hope well.
The first storm hit and the tree still stands. Yay!!!
We are hoping the community can see and enjoy the lights on the tree in the evenings during December.
Tree in my residence
These ornaments would not survive a rainstorm, so they can't be shared with the school tree.
The tradition is carried over from my home in Pennsylvania, USA. The last week in November, the Christmas tree goes up and is decorated. My tree is now ready for viewing.
Talking to the students about the Christmas tree
Outdoor lesson
Teacher Slyvie shared the history of the Christmas tree.
In keeping with Urukundo Learning Center’s motto – “Education is the Light” – our Christmas tree has lights.
Christmas tree lights signify the light of God's spirit, the value of enlightenment and wisdom; and the warmth of family love.
Let the light shine bright in your world.
Merry Christmas!
Love, Mama
USA journey continues
My journey to the USA began in early September and ended in late October. Here are some of my adventures since the last newsletter.
I traveled to Harrisburg on Sept. 23 to spend time with granddaughter Becki and her husband Byron.
Byron was my driver on the trip from Williamsport to Harrisburg.
Sitting on Becki and Byron’s patio. The view is spectacular.
Young wild turkeys like the corn stalks.
Mama deer
Although they live in the city limits, Becki and Byron have deer visiting their back yard. The deer like the fruit on their peach trees.
This male deer also visits the yard.
My great grandson Nate now has a copy of my book, “Hope Made Real: The Story of Mama Arlene and the Children of Urukundo.” He would not let me give it to him. His donation for the book will benefit Urukundo kids. Thank you, Nate.
Generations 1, 3, 4 and 5
From left: Jalen, Chanel, me and Becki.
I am first generation. My granddaughter Becki is third generation, great-granddaughter Chanel is fourth generation, and great-great grandson Jalen is the fifth generation. Barb, second generation, did not make the photo shoot.
Mom Chanel, Jalen, me and Dad Jim. My first time meeting my great-great grandson.
A pleasure
I met for the first time Rev. Sara Shaver, the new coordinator of Disaster Response/Volunteers in Mission (VIM) for the Susquehanna Conference of the United Methodist Church. Sara and I shared ideas for future relationships and working together as Volunteers in Mission.
Erin Friday, my dear friend from Rwanda, happened to be in the USA at the same time and visited me in Harrisburg on Sept. 26. It was great to share some time with a dear friend from both of my worlds, the USA and Rwanda.
From left, Barb Campbell, her cousin Cassi Ney and me in York, Pennsylvania. Barb and Cassi made my visit very enjoyable. We reminisced about their visit to Urukundo just a year ago in September.
Time sure flies. September 2024 at Urukundo with Ruby Soso.
Neal and Barbara Campbell are major contributors in the successful completion of Urukundo Foundation‘s Secondary School project.
An added bonus was meeting Barb's husband Neal and Cassi’s husband Wim.
The five of us having dinner at the Brownstone Cafe in Middletown, Pennsylvania, was a unique experience. The brownstone originally had been a bank. Wim was recovering from a run-in with poison ivy. I remember having had the same experience as a child. Very itchy.
From left: Wim, Neal, Barb, me, and Cassi
The next morning the four of them attended Grace United Methodist Church Lemoyne where I spoke.
Speaking at Grace UMC Lemoyne. I think the blue throw was an honor to me. Not sure, but I loved it.
Pastor Margie McCarty is at right in the photo.
Becki’s friend Maria, Becki and Nate also attended the service. Other family and friends were there, but there were no photos.
More visits
Pastor Jason Swartzman, whom I met on earlier visits to Harrisburg, served as pastor at Grace United Methodist Church Lemoyne. His lovely wife Michelle visited us in September 2024 when she was the coordinator for Volunteers in Mission, Susquehanna Conference.
Pastor Jason is now serving the UMC in Scranton, Pennsylvania. Hope to have his new faith family connect with Urukundo. Pastor Jason’s smile brightens the day.
Pastor Jason and wife Michelle Schwartzman. (Great earrings, Michelle.) I look forward to Pastor Jason's visit to Urukundo Foundation soon.
Best friend
Ruth Cox is a very dear long-time friend. Ruth and I were together on my first mission journey so very long ago. We are growing older together. So great to have a friend in my own age group. There are few of us left. I sure appreciate her. I am sure I am the older of the two of us.
Progress continues on construction of the new Secondary O Level School. The school will serve students in grades 7, 8, and 9.
Sept. 16
Ready for windows and doors
Oct. 23
Upper level windows and doors
Disappointment. Doors and windows are not visible on the lower level. Inquiring minds want to know why not. I received this explanation from the builder:
“Good morning, Mama It was the problem the industry of steel had but they are now making the doors and windows for lower classrooms.”
Volunteer Abigail and son Malakai said goodbye to Urukundo. They are returning to New Zealand.
Playmates came to Mama's House to bid farewell to Malakai.
Library changes
The improvement is a lighter and brighter library.
I love it.
Borrowing and returning books now have their own space.
The Activity Center is educational and fun.
Builders
Tinker toys
Puzzle table
Hope and Imagination Theatre (HIT) was founded by Clyde Santana, a volunteer from the USA. It is a use-your-imagination theater.
Telling our story with puppets.
Waiting for our teacher Clyde to return.
Preparing an imaginary feast
Pretend cooking is good practice. Pots, pans, dishes, cups, saucers, and other items used in cooking and serving food. The kitchen just needs a pretend stove to be complete.
Learning about different foods and healthy eating is made interesting in our activity room.
A cradle for the little ones who need dressed, undressed, feeding, and loving care. Our dolls get the best in the activity of sharing love.
Feeding and clothing baby dolls is so much fun.
The center for playing with dolls is very popular.
Placing furniture in the doll house is creative and fun.
Sports day celebrated
During October, Urukundo Learning Center held a sports rally for both students and faculty. It was a success. Headmaster Viateur made this comment: “It was a special day for both students and teachers. Even the parents appreciated that activity, and everyone is proud of our school.”
Students enjoyed the day of sports. Teachers joined the children.
In Mama’s House, house manager Libby carried on a tradition. My love of jigsaw puzzles is well known.
I share that love with my staff. Libby is very good and keeps puzzles in process while I am away. Looks like a good one. Thank you, Libby.
Back to my USA journey.
Being the guest speaker at the First United Methodist Church, Hollidaysburg, Pennsylvania, was an honor. There were three services, and I told the story of Urukundo and our children in Rwanda at all three. It was great to renew a long-time friendship with Pastor Joleen Willis and her husband Pastor Randy Willis.
Photography is not the best. I do know the sharing was beneficial.
The welcome I received from the congregation and Pastor Willis warmed my heart. What a day it was!
Before traveling on to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Joleen and her husband treated my driver, granddaughter Becki, and me to lunch.
The drive to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, was to be one of the highlights of my travels, but the timing was either too early or too late for the beautiful fall foliage I had hoped to see. Well, maybe next time.
My driver to Pittsburgh was granddaughter Becki.
These are my daughter Patricia and her husband Dale’s grandchildren – and my great-grandchildren.
From left: Lucia, Joyce, and Dilly.
The great-grandchildren are typical kids of this generation. Video games or whatever.
Daughter Jacque and husband Sean hosted me for several days. It was great to spend quality time with my youngest daughter.
Their son Alex and I spent time together.
Jacque and Alex
Waverly team visit
A team from Waverly Presbyterian Church in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, visited Urukundo in 2016. We enjoyed getting together again.
Back row, from left: Jim Heinrich, Bill Vandivier, Bob Dove, Tawna Loutsenhizer, Ellen Guise, and John Wray.
Front row: Virginia Linn, me, Amy Dove, and Eleanor Chute Fisher. Eleanor edits Urukundo’s monthly newsletter. She does a great job. Thanks, Eleanor
My daughter Jacque (middle row, left) and grandson Alex (front row, left) accompanied me to the Waverly team dinner. Other Waverly friends attended as well. Our hosts at the dinner were Eleanor and her husband Tom Fisher.
A delicious potluck dinner was served as we shared memories and I answered questions.
Doctor time
Dr. Dorothy is one very special visit when I arrive in the USA. It isn’t for a yearly checkup; it is for a whenever checkup. Thank you, Dr. Dorothy.
A very special celebration
Oct. 25 is my daughter Barbara’s birthday. It was decided it was a good time to celebrate my upcoming 95th birthday with an open house in Pittsburgh. Barbara traveled from Williamsport to Pittsburgh to celebrate our birthdays together. We were blessed with both friends and family.
From left, Barbara, Patricia, me and Jacque. My three beautiful daughters.
Others celebrated with us.
Patricia’s family
Jacque’s family
Sue Herbst, an early childhood friend for Barb and a recent visitor to Urukundo Foundation, and Barb.
Pastor Susan Halverstadt, me, and her daughter Alexa
Marie Rossi, Tricia’s neighbor. She was the only person at the party older than I am.
Deep in serious conversation with friend Henry Bagg.
Rev. Gere Reist, left, a long-time colleague of my daughter Patricia, and his wife Betty, joined Patricia and her husband Dale to honor me at this birthday celebration.
The children helped me to blow out the candles.
With cake, hugs, and best wishes the celebration ended.
On the way home to Rwanda, we stopped in Reston, Virginia. to make contact with dear friends.
I made a last-minute visit to Mary Jackson's home in Reston Virginia. Mary and I experienced the volcano explosion in 2002 while on a mission trip together in Rwanda.
Then it was on to a lovely lunch served by Kathy Kelley, in the photo above, and Rosemary Welch just before I took off to go back home to Urukundo Village and Learning Center.
Rotary Club of Wilkinsburg-Regent Square
I was honored by an invitation to speak at the Rotary Club of Wilkinsburg-Regent Square. The club has donated many precious musical instruments to the music program at Urukundo Learning Center. Rotary President John Irwin personally brought the instruments to Urukundo when he visited in March 2025.
John delivered the instruments to Music Director Emanuel.
Great audience. Love the sign.” LOVE one another.” Love says it all.
An early birthcake for Mama. Celebrating Year 95 nearly completed. Still able to blow out candles.
I received a beautiful birthday bouquet along with the cake during my visit with the Rotary Club of Wilkinsburg-Regent Square.
Forest Hills Rotary and Rotary International presented Urukundo Learning Center with a sizable check to purchase desks and chairs for the new Urukundo Secondary School. Bob Dove, left, who has volunteered at Urukundo, and Forest Hills Rotary President Arron Thompson presented the check.
These two months in the USA have been an exciting adventure. Making new friends and reminiscing with old friends, what a time I have had! I want to thank all of my family and so many friends for making this visit memorable. Celebrating my birthday a bit early filled my heart with love.
It also has given me renewed strength to continue serving where the Lord has placed me, namely Rwanda, Africa, and caring for vulnerable children.
Thank you all so much.
Love and hugs all around.
Mama
My Rwandan daughter Esperance and her groom Alexander celebrated their marriage at Urukundo’s Hope Made Real House.
Esperance and Alexander took their vows and became husband and wife on Aug. 28 in a civil ceremony. The dowry and religious ceremony were Aug. 31.
These two photos are from the civil ceremony.
This is the tie that binds. Congratulations!
Happy couple
Husband Alexander and wife Esperance
Now on to the dowry
The bride’s brother Claude walked her down the aisle.
A ring was given as a token of everlasting love.
Claude presented his sister to her groom. Best man Tresor, at right, approved.
Juliette and her family were family of the bride for Urukundo at the dowry.
Honoring the mothers of the couple. Don’t you think the bride looks like me? Well, really!
Husband and wife. It's official.
The wedding was special for this mom. Having so many of my older kids home, what a day!
Several hours after the wedding, I boarded a plane at 2 a.m. for a 23-hour flight to the USA. A bit tired but content.
I began my journey in Reston, Virginia, having breakfast with good friends Kathy, Debbie, and Marilyn.
All three have been part of this incredible Urukundo adventure. It has been 23 years.
Then it was on to South Williamsport, Pennsylvania. What a welcome!
My home away from home is with my son Jerry and his wife Janet in South Williamsport. I am blessed — squinty eyes and all.
A visit with my baby sister, Sherry. The puppy stealing the limelight is Ripley. What a difference 17 years can make! Yep, I was 17 when she was born.
Daughter Barbara – my middle child – and her husband John welcomed me the very first day.
Reuniting with grandson Tim was great. Tim and his son Mason, who is my great-grandson, were at Urukundo for the second time in June 2025.
Spending time with my firstborn Ted and his wife Sherrie. We had lunch at my favorite restaurant, Restless Oaks, and caught up with family events.
Just before leaving on a trip – I think to Alaska – Randy and Susan Herbst, recent visitors to Urukundo, honored me with a visit. Delighted to see them.
What a joy to meet and greet teacher Maura Sleboda and Principal Steve Haddon at Myers Elementary School in the Muncy School District in Pennsylvania! Maura serves on the Hope Made Real International Board. My grandson Mason was one of her students when he visited Urukundo and together they introduced her class to Urukundo students over the Internet. Mason and his class are now in the sixth grade.
Sharing with kids is my favorite event. There were about 50 sixth-graders, and they asked interesting questions. Thank goodness I had the answers!
Making new friends is always special. Tim’s friend Deanne and her mother, Christine, met with Tim and me after we visited Mason's school.
Proof is in the pudding. She bought my book.
Ruby Sosa traveled from Vermont to see me and I enjoyed talking person-to-person. I sure look like a grump. Wow! Husband Jim was with her, but someone had to take the picture. Sorry, Jim.
Pastor Mike Guiswite and his wife Shelly welcomed me to their country home for a day of R&R. Much needed. Mike’s mom Sally and dad John helped to construct the first boys' home in Urukundo Village.
Volunteers
Volunteers Abigail and her son Malakai visited from New Zealand.
They visited Janette at her school. Abigail and her friends have financially supported Janette since her arrival at Urukundo as a four-hour-old infant. We are grateful.
In the daycare
Benjamin replaces batteries in musical toys.
Claude leaves home with supplies for the university.
Community outreach
Mama and Baby Project is still a blessing for new mamas.
Sept. 17th
The roof is on. Ready for windows and doors
Having great-grandchildren is such a blessing.
Mason
Aiden
Sisters Juliana and Rayven
Dylan and me
Dylan’s sisters, Hannah Arlene and Amelia, and me. Hannah Arlene is my namesake.
Hannah and Amelia
To top it off, I give you four generations of lovely women.
Mom Arlene, daughter Barbara, granddaughter Laura, and great-granddaughter Amelia
I began this newsletter with a wedding in Muhanga, Rwanda, and I am ending the newsletter with a wedding in Pennsylvania, USA
I was present for the wedding of my granddaughter Jessica and her intended, Nate. Jessica was a beautiful bride.
Parents of Jessica: Janet and my son Jerry. An awesome couple.
