Urukundo Travel with a Purpose

Experience the Heart of Rwanda with Mama Arlene and Urukundo (transl. Love.)

Urukundo welcomes volunteers to an unforgettable journey where a real impact can be made in the lives of children with Mama Arlene and the dedicated Urukundo teachers and staff. While volunteering you can discover the rich cultural tapestry of Rwanda through exciting tours and adventures.

Why Choose Urukundo Travel with a Purpose?

1. Give Back and Make a Difference

Come to Urukundo to join forces and make a positive impact; to both contribute and learn. Come share your particular expertise. 

2. Gain a New Perspective

Immerse yourself in a new country and culture for a transformative experience. Your trip to Urukundo will allow you to see the world with fresh eyes and gain a deeper understanding of a different culture and way of life.

3. Meet New People 

Connect with the Urukundo faculty and staff, who are members of the local community, as you work together toward a common goal. Volunteers often form life-long friendships and connections, enriching their journey. 

4. Get Out of Your Comfort Zone

Step out of your comfort zone; discover a new sense of purpose and redefine your life. This challenging and rewarding opportunity is a chance for personal growth, discovering strengths and weaknesses, and shaping your purpose.

Accommodations

$50 USD donation per day per person covers lodging 3 meals a day, purified water, and Fiber-optic internet WiFi. This can be prepaid by sending a check to HMR or upon arrival. 

Guest House (2 options)

• Private rooms with a double bed and a single in each room and private bath. 
• Male and female dorms with baths for groups.
• Residence
• Three bedrooms are available with a choice of single occupancy or double occupancy. Both have a shared bath.

Urukundo Campus Volunteer Opportunities (examples)

• Preschool and Primary School Teacher’s Assistant
• Children’s Library
• Music Program
• Dental Clinic Project
• Farm Animal Project
• Staff and Community Daycare Program 
• Vocational Sewing School 
• Mama-Baby Outreach Project
• All Faiths Community and Visitor Worship Center
• Kitchen Project – Worker/Kitchen Aide or Nutrition Advisor
• Sharing Your Expertise – Do you have a special ability, talent, hobby, or expertise? Let us know before you come, and we can help you determine how it might best be utilized.

We are here to answer your questions and inquiries to make your visit the very best. 

• U.S. Contact: Patricia D. Brown, pdbrown@spiritworks.org, www.spiritworks.org
• Rwandan Contact: Arlene D. Brown, brown.arlene30@gmail.com
• European Contact: Louise Medland, lsmedland@gmail.com

Website: www.hopemadereal.org

Mama Arlene Brown (left) and Rev. Dr. Patricia D. Brown (right)

Exciting News for UMVIM!

Susquehanna Conference Volunteers in Mission provides supplemental accident insurance free of charge to our teams serving domestically. We contract with AIG through the Northeast Jurisdiction United Methodist VIM to offer you a medical and accident insurance policy with $50,000 coverage for domestic teams.

In order to receive this insurance for your domestic journey you simply submit a Team Roster. The Team Roster got an upgrade too! Click here for the NEW Team Roster. Simply complete the form and hit the submit button. Your form will be processed, and you will receive notification of your insurance from Susquehanna Conference VIM. 

For International Journeys, we ask that teams register with the new Team Roster and purchase low-cost supplemental insurance from UMVIM-NEJ.

The old Team Roster will no longer be accepted. 

For more information on the domestic and international insurance go to https://www.umvim.org/nej-insurance.

For questions about resources for our Susquehanna Conference VIM Teams, please contact Michelle Schwartzman, VIM Coordinator: vim@susumc.org or 717-766-7441 ext. 3105.

Volunteers in Mission

In case you missed it, VIM has a new website under the Conference Board of Global Ministries (CBGM). Go to www.susmb.org/vim to check it out! You can find what VIM is all about, see photos of teams from the past year, find a project to work on or a training that would suit you, and Mission resources. These pages are constantly being updated with new materials and projects so check it out regularly.

Keep an eye out for upcoming VIM Training, sessions are scheduled regularly or by request. VIM Training prepares us to have a positive impact in mission whether it is a few hours or weeks; local, national, or global. It is open to those who have led teams and those who have never served on a project. Taking this training does not require you to lead a trip but equips you for service. Topics covered include Best Practices, Cultural Awareness, Health & Safety, Team Orientations, Useful Forms, Insurance and Fundraising. If you, your mission committee, or mission team are interested in the VIM Training, contact Michelle at vim@susumc.org or 717-766-7441 ext. 3105.

A gem that the Susquehanna Conference VIM provide is supplemental accident insurance for your teams FREE of charge. If you’re serving in your local community or sending teams out further into Pennsylvania, other states, or other countries, contact Michelle for information on how to acquire this insurance. It’s another way we care for our teams and all the work you do.

What to look for in 2022??? 

Right now, the Susquehanna Conference VIM offers a grant for VIM team’s material costs. Check it out at https://susmb.org/resources/. We’re creating a new grant that will debut later this year to help the journey costs of new missioners. But we can’t continue to offer these grants without the help of generous donors! You know that it all adds up and any amount donated helps tremendously! The grants come from United Methodist Advances and that means that 100% of the money donated is used for the grants, not administrative fees! 

Please consider a donation to VIM, here’s how to donate to our VIM Advances

Volunteers in Mission (VIM) Advance Special (#4055)

VIM is a grassroots movement of United Methodists who seek to put their “Christian Love in Action.” VIM offers a connectional framework through which disciples can engage in short-term mission journeys locally, nationally, and globally. VIM provides training, resources, insurance, and support to our VIM teams.

Volunteers in Mission (VIM) Materials Advance Special (#7010)

This ministry helps with the costs of materials for VIM work including local mission, domestic and international VIM Journeys.

Make checks payable and send to:

“Susquehanna Conference UMC” - Memo line: Advance and number
303 Mulberry Dr. Mechanicsburg, PA 17050

VIM is the short-term mission agency of the United Methodist Church who seek to put their “Christian Love in Action”. I celebrate all our Conference Missioners and those who support us with your prayers, monetary gifts, and relationship. I’ll leave you with one of our core values from John Wesley: Do no harm, do good, and stay in love with God.

Michelle Schwartzman, VIM Coordinator 

vim@susumc.org  •  717-766-7441 ext. 3105.