Happy Birthday Mama & December Newsletter

December is always a special month. The activity at Urukundo is topped off in joy because all the kids come home to spend some time with the Urukundo family.

Except for our 5 in the USA; our kids were all home. We do miss them. But know they are where they are meant to be.

The month ended with Mama in the USA. What a blessing to spend time with both my families during my birthday month!

Here is a taste of life at Urukundo Home in December.

December 9th, Mama’s birthday celebration

Urukundo little kids singing Happy Birthday to Mama.

Food, Fanta, and cake makes birthdays special.

Dec 10th,  JP leaves for education in the USA

John Paul, far right, saying so long for a while.  We will miss you, JP and love you so much. Do your best and come back home.

Love, Urukundo kids, staff and Mama.

Katrina sharing

So much love shared between Claudine Katrina & Rebekah.

Katrina, Me in my birthday dress and Joe. I think I am thinning down just a bit. No girlish figure yet.

Claudine made a new friend. Joe who came to travel with John Paul to the US was a favorite with all the kids.

News

Signs of our times. Dental is OFFICIAL!

Mama was blessed this month by a visit from her cousin Raymond Stiner. Raymond was in Rwanda for a short time. I am so grateful he found a time in his busy schedule to visit Urukundo. Raymond is very special because he is the grandson of my mother’s brother. Uncle George was very important in my childhood.

Prince, Luki & Soso.  Look at the sports; basketball, karate, and soccer.  The medal on Prince is for soccer. We are an active group.

Wish you could hear the voices as the children sing.

Christmas Urukundo on Dec 22.

Staff Celebration Office Staff

158 staff and kids celebrated the day.

Community Day.

We were blessed to share the day and it’s blessings with near 500 children and youth. What a glorious day!

Gifts for boys

Gifts for girls

December 25th, Christmas Presentation

Anitha, our Nursing student wrote and directed the program.  

Christmas for Urukundo kids.

Thanks to so many of you our kids had a wonderful and blessed Christmas.

Tree in boys house. Gifts for all!

Jean Marie’s daughter, Lana Arlene, was a special Christmas guest.

Graduation for Sewing Center

Jean Marie cut the ribbon as Exec Director of Urukundo Foundation.

The walk from the school to graduation ceremony.

Graduating class

Salute from a proud Mama to the class of 2016.

Sewing Machine given to Top Student to honor our patron, Tom Nunnally

The Sewing Center was Tom’s vision and he not only purchased machines but gave scholarships to help students to achieve their goals.

Tom is missed by all at Urukundo.  His legacy will live on.

Diploma in hand.

Mama & Baby Project

Four of our 28 December babies. It is very cold.  We have a need for more hats; larger and infants sizes.  Thank you.

Claudine & Joe and Sam share smiles of joy.

Visitors

The Kent family chose to spend Christmas with Urukundo and our kids.

African Nativities are a work of art and heart.

We do hope the come visit again. Thank you Kent Family for making our Christmas special.

New visitors are always welcome and loved and become part of the Urukundo Family. Then there are those who are family and return year after year. Liz James is one of those. Each time Liz comes she brings another member of her family.  Husband Rob, sons Keenen & Skyler and beautiful daughter Bella have come but at different times. We look forward to a return visit from all. Liz and her family are also supportive of our brother, Tresor in Arizona. The James family lives in California. Tresor is house & dog sitting while the family is away. Thanks a bunch!

Liz and Skyler check out the shirt the kids gave him for Christmas & The Nativity Liz received.

 

Learning Pathway

Memorial stone added to the path. 

Other News

Last but not least. Mama's leaving for a time of refreshing, healing and loving family in America.

 


In closing, I leave you with this thought:

The vulnerable children of Rwanda and the world.

Opportunity is what they need. Your love. Their lives, Our world, You can make a difference.

Your most appreciated gift can be sent to the address below or use the Donate button at the upper right-hand corner of the screen:

Hope Made Real
PO Box 3222
Williamsport, PA. 17701

Much love,

Mama Arlene
Director
Urukundo Foundation/Hope Made Real

Help make their world a better place.