Growing music program

At the competition, the school chorus and band were on the platform. With this many students in music, you can see why Urukundo needs a music facility.

We are moving forward with making Hillside House our location for fostering music in the lives of Urukundo students.

I have a matching grant of $7,500 for this project. If you are able to donate, the matching grant will match your donation up to $7,500. Contributions are much appreciated.

The existing building requires soundproofing and air conditioning. The work is in progress. January’s newsletter will feature the work as it is being done.

Good neighbors

Urukundo Worship Center and Foundation reach out to our neighbors.

We are sharing with the community in this season of peace, love, and goodwill to all. Wherever you are and what little you may have, love your neighbor and share with them.

A new jacket and dress are a blessing to the giver and the child who receives it.

A happy birthday

On Dec. 6, my first birthday surprise arrived.

Flowers from John, known as Johnny when he was a young boy.

John has brought me flowers since he was a 3-year-old.

He is my flower child.

On my special day, Dec. 9, in the early morning, I received a special pair of socks.

I love the gift of socks and their message.

The Birthday #95 party

Every year I say “no party” and every year it happens. It is time I stop saying “no party” and just enjoy the love.

Headmaster Viateur (pink shirt) led the happy birthday song.

Music Director Emmanuel played “Happy Birthday” on our newly acquired saxophone. He learned to play it for this occasion. I was honored.

The farm boys brought a gift. Lots of eggs.

Other gifts came in a big box.

The peace basket plaque is beautiful, and the nativity is very special to me.

Top of the cake. Love the roses.

Cake, sparklers, and joy.

A toast. Salute to the beginning of Year # 96.

Community Christmas celebration

Preparing for the community kids' Christmas party.

Juice, cookies, and gifts.

Soft animals for babies, scarves for mamas, dolls, My Little Ponies, kids’ jewelry, teen jewelry, and cars.

Slinkies, balls, jump ropes, cars of all shapes and sizes.

The party was at 2 p.m. Kids started coming at 11 a.m.

They came and came.

They came by the hundreds. There were more than the 900 who came last year.

Mamas and babies also enjoyed Urukundo’s Christmas party. The kids sat on the floor; mamas with babies sat on benches.

Singing and dancing to “Jingle Bells.”

Movie time. It really worked this year with sound. Thank you, Jean Marie.

Kids were watching the movie. I love the many expressions on their faces.

Time for refreshments

Many helpers. Needed everyone. Orange and apple drinks.

Cookies are called biscuits.

Making sure everyone is served, we started in the front.

Children and adults headed for home after a successful Christmas party. 

We were blessed with morning rain and afternoon sunshine. No mud or wet kids.

Dec. 25, Christmas Day

It was a quiet day as employees were given the day off to be with their families.

Message from Mama

Happy New Year, 2026

The year 2025 has been spectacular. Urukundo Foundation, founded on love, continues to benefit those in need in Rwanda, thanks to our generous donors. I thank you, everyone. Without you, none of this would have happened.

Beginning a new year is the time to set new goals. The problem for me is that, with “God in charge”, the goals are not mine to set. Urukundo will go where God directs, and, with your help in caring and sharing, I look forward to discovering where and what that will be.

Please keep our 1,200+ students, our 118 employees and their families, our boards of directors, and me in prayer as the 2026 journey begins.

Love, 

Mama

November Newsletter

My time in the USA was awesome. I made contact with so many friends and family. Coming home to my family in Muhanga, Rwanda, also was awesome. Sleeping in my own bed made coming home worthwhile. There is truly no place like home.

Home for the traveler

Executive Director Jean Marie welcomed me at the airport. Executive Secretary Eric and Vehicle Manager Oswald were on hand to move suitcases into the compound. I was weary after the long journey and glad for the assistance.

Office and residence staff welcomed me home. From left, Francene, Libby, me, Oswald, Julie and Esperance.

Welcoming message

Sign on my door. What a super message!

My neighbors came to sing, dance, and pray with me. What a wonderful welcome home!

Librarian Elie and the children let me know they are glad I am home.

Thanks to many who donated the Primary 6 textbooks that are in the Learning Center.

Every student has a textbook for every subject.

Textbooks for P5 were purchased last year. Textbooks for P4 are due to arrive this month.

Progress on Secondary School

Inside the classrooms

Jean Marie makes sure I am safe on the second level. The view from here is awesome.

Protective fencing is now in place.

Landscaping is yet to be done in the front of our new two-story complex.

The new building is in proximity to Primary classrooms. The ramp that is visible has to be made handicap usable. So much is yet to be done. We have six months to achieve accreditation.

The construction of the secondary school building is complete. There is still much work both inside and outside before it is ready for our first class that is due to start in September 2026: blue paint to add color to the fencing and pillars; handicap access ramp and connecting sidewalks; landscaping; laboratory equipment; desks and chairs; and the list goes on. There is so much more involved and taken into account opening an addition to our school. We are so grateful to all who have contributed funds to complete this project.

Thank you. Thank you.

Daycare children and Mama

An old saying revised a bit:

“If the mountain (mama) can't come to Muhammad (daycare kids), then Muhammad must go to the mountain.” At my time in life, walking to the daycare is a task. It is better if the daycare kids come to me. We decided to give it a try.  Once a week, the aunties bring the morning group to visit me. In the afternoon, the older daycare children come after their nap. They are in school in the morning.

I read them a story, and we enjoy playtime together. Don’t know why I did not think of this before. I love spending time with the aunties and the kids.

Wednesday morning with Mama

An awesome crew

A soft seat is best every time.

Storytime with Mama

This week's story was about animals. African animals on Noah’s ark included lions, giraffes, and zebras.

Build them up so you can knock them down. Then repeat.

Wednesday afternoon, the older group had a once-a-year experience. Yep, with Christmas coming close, they got to assemble an almost-real tree and decorate it.

Artificial trees come in parts. Putting it together is a challenge.

Executive Director Jean Marie, with the help of his team, assembled the Christmas tree.

Decorating began.

Not bad for beginners. Next it was time for play.

Dolls are always fun.

Building blocks allow you to build up and then crash down to start again.

Having the children come to my house for storytime and playtime adds to my day and theirs.

Teaching goes on

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.

A Christmas tree for the school

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.

Message from Mama

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

October Newsletter

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.