Urukundo=Love

Yesterday we practiced our play that we will be performing at a few locations, especially for the educators. It combines the story of Anne Frank with the story of Ayana(story from the genocide). This shows how drama based education can be added into the classroom. It’s all about story telling. 

From there we had lunch at Afrika Bites. It was traditional African food. But I couldn’t tell you what it was, all that it was good. 

We visited another genocide memorial, this time one at a church that used to murder the Tutsis. During the genocide, over the radio they would say that the tutsi’s can go to the be safe, but it was actually used against them. It was to get them all together so it was easier for the Hutu’s to kill them. The church is left intact, the clothes of the ones murdered, blood stains. They have the bones and skulls laid out for rest. This memorial was tough to walk through. I just had knots in my stomach the whole time. All I kept on saying in my head was “I’m so sorry” 

I had an amazing dinner, it was blue cheese crusted filet minion. YUM!!!! Best meal I’ve had in awhile.

Today, we visited another memorial. This was for the 10 Belgian UN peacekeepers were murdered by the Hutu extremist if order to provoke a withdrawal of the UN forces. It was very sad and hard to see, because the building was just full of bullet holes. 

Later today we traveled to the Urukundo Village, which began in May 2006 with a single house in which one woman, Mama Arlene, began to take children in to house, feed, and educate.
Facts:
41 children are fully housed, cared for and given an education.
329 children are going to school with educational sponsorships from the Urukundo Education Sponsor Program.

This beautiful place was started by the incredible, Mama Arlene. She was born and raised in Philadelphia, PA. She has a beautiful soul and I am truly inspired by her. 

Someone asked her if this was a dream of hers, she replied with, “I don’t have dreams, they aren’t real, I have visions.” Th

We had dinner with the the children that are housed there. We stood in a circle and all held hands, they sang their songs and said a prayer before we ate. I was so moved by this, I couldn’t hold back the tears. These children have no home or relatives, but the joy and kind spirits they have is truly special. Mama Arlene gave these kids a home and family. After dinner, the kids sang and danced for us. This was the moment where I realized why I needed to go on this trip. These beautiful children had so much joy and love that I have never seen in anybody. My heart is so full right now. 

Muramuke (goodnight)

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