The First Ever Graduate Class of CMU Rwanda-- at their Celebration Dinner

 This was the beginning of the celebration…  

The Dinner Party to honor the 

First Pioneering Class of CMU Rwanda

the night before graduation! 

Students!

Staff from CMUR and Predeep from California. 

Staff from Pittsburgh!

 and More Staff!

Staff from Pittsburgh!

 Staff and student!

A few of the honorees!

 Important people with Esther!  
Well, she's one of the important students! 

Happy staff from Rwanda and the US!

 More of us … but I'm not staff…
well, maybe support staff. 

Happy almost grads!

Friends from here and there! 

Enjoying the Company

CMU's go to guy and his pretty wife! 

 Three of the pioneering guys!

The US Ambassador!

Looking great, girl! 

Our usherettes!

Tony!!!

 Flavia and hubby!

 Can you believe Penn Hills colors?!

Two more pioneers!

Casual Conversation before dinner.. 

Introductions all around but I'm afraid i can't remember
every one's name and title.  

 I know this one, though…  and have to say that by this time of the evening..  Bruce seemed very tired.  It wasn't until later that we found out that Bruce had pneumonia and was
pretty sick ( and therefore tired)!

Plus, I forgot to bring an extra battery for the camera
and didn't get the pictures of the excellent motivational speakers  that so encouraged the students.

But it was a great night for all who came
and the beginning of a celebration that will continue tomorrow!!

love,
margie

How Can I Return After All This Time?

Back in Kigali after a great long  Christmas break… but an even longer time since I've written or photo "docked" in many months! 

Actually I'm 8 months behind so I will try to consolidate! 

 So.  let's try to catch up… Living in Rwanda has been and is a rich experience with people.  Some, especially from AIC.. the Africa International Club are brief acquaintances but others have become friends of the heart!  The end of June found many of us parting ways for at least a time and others for a long time. 

JUNE!

Some of the girls.

Shana and Erik..  just moved to Georgia
  Georgia. the one closer to USSR not the USA.

Ceren was the President and Marion the VP and
I was the secretary of the club this year. Great ladies!
Ceren and Mirjam have both left Kiglia at this time.. 2015. 
Miss them both more than they can know!

 Bruce had a Birthday!   

Roger and Faith came for his sleep over.. ha!   

 

Then we went to Jangwe Lodge for a short get away. Total peace and quiet..
not even very good internet but asweet place, great owners and interesting guests! 



A SURPRISE VISIT  FOR KOFI! 

Hi mom came to visit him from Burundi..  They hadn't seen each other in over 3 years.
It was a very teary reunion-- but wonderful.  

July --a really BIG MONTH! 

Another new place to visit! 

A visit to Agahoza Shalom School on their Stand Up and be Counted Day!
 A private school set up as small living communities all learning together.
Here with the founders husband and son standing next to JC in the center in the jacket!

A 4th of July Party at the US Embassy

Love this picture of George!   Some have called President Kagame
the George Washington of Rwanda!  The musugu in the blue
shirt is our terrific Consular at the Embassy!  They guy behind the painting, the artist!

And waving the flag is our American Ambassador and his wife, Cindy on the left … along side of Leoni, the Dutch ambassador and her husband…These are two great couples and great friends for all who know them. 

It was a festive evening!




The Kigali Airport Upgrade!  

This is George MacDonald… Manager of the project and my friend Kim's, hubby!

Just getting there….  completeion pictures will show up soon.  Love the Mosaic!


And last but not least the beginnings of the new
Dental Clinic at Urkundo Children's Home

The first new dental chair in its new location.


A gift from a friend in Pa… to open the new clinic. 

 And yes… I'd say Mama is pretty happy about it! 

And this was just the beginning of the summer. 
While all of these things were exciting… it was the end of July that brought great joy to many….

Check out the next Blog to see what happened.

The First Ever….?

love,
margie 

Tim and Sue in Heaven with the Girls!

There's a restaurant in Kigali called "HEAVEN"….  It's always

I love this picture of these two!  

fun to take people to Heaven when they are visiting and Tim and Sue and girls were no exception. So after church…. we went to Heaven! 

Can't remember what this is but the design is cool..
maybe the avocado tomato salad?

The soups here are all puréed.. and this soup was a twofer!! 

After lunch we took the gang to meet Kofi…. at boarding school.
He is now taller than all of us now!  Alexandra was a bit under the weather so we missed her with us today! 

And one last shot for the camera!
We went to a local coop that has many stores… and Tim
who is quite a culinary artist, found his keeper!

What a great reunion we had with the Chou
Family!  We had lots of laughs, discussions,
sightseeing and shopping and in general
just had fun being together!

We are so glad they came to visit…
Maybe they will come back again!
You know you are welcome!!!!

love,
margie