April has begun already. This is the month Urukundo honors those who died in the genocide with the loud cry of: NEVER AGAIN. This is heartfelt in this beautiful land.
The Christian world remembers the death of Christ on the cross and whispers THANK YOU LORD. He is risen our joy should be loud and joyous.
New Newsletter Features:
It is my desire to keep everyone current so here it goes. We will start to include stories about our children. The first one is David, our very first baby.
Telling the Tale
At present Urukundo Home has fifty-two children; we hold as family. Twenty-five are between the ages of sixteen and twenty four. Four of these are gainfully employed and call Urukundo home. Nine of these are in University and eleven attend Secondary School coming home during school breaks. There are twenty-three under the age of twelve. Some of these children have no extended family in Rwanda. Others have dysfunctional families. We are dedicated to not only feeding, housing, and loving these children but also educating and raising them to be happy healthy citizens.
Our Learning Center has 585 students from Preschool to Grade 5. Grade 6 class rooms are ready for 2018 students who will finish Grade 5 in November 2017. Only 23 of the students in Urukundo Learning Center are from our family. The rest, 562, are from the community. Watch for further updates in May newsletter. It is my hope to keep you, our readers better informed. Letting you know what your gifts and donation are doing in Rwanda.
April's Child: David's Story
David was our first baby. When I went into this ministry, I told God I would not take children under seven years of age. Also I would only take girls. Be very careful what you tell God what you will or will not do. My God has a divine sense of humor. I am sure he laughed and shook his head as he saw my plan & the plan he had for me.
Had the Policeman and Vise Mayor called me on the phone, and by this time we did have cell phones, and ask me to take a baby I would have said “No, we are not equipped to care for babies.” They were smarter than that. They came knocking at my door. Opening the door, I was face to face with a very tall policeman and in his arms he held a very tiny baby. Stretching out his arms he handed me the baby saying, “This baby needs a home. Can you help us?” One look at the tiny face and my heart was gone. Thus babies entered Urukundo Home for Children. To date we have had 26 infants become a part of our Urukundo family.
These babies are not throw away babies, they are "thrown to us" babies. They are found in the bushes, in ditches, along paths, in abandoned run down shacks and in the living rooms much to the surprise of the people who live in the house. David came in as a 3-week-old baby and is now in fourth grade. He is an excellent student. His curiosity about every thing including the Universe is awesome. We are blessed to have David as part of our family.
Until next time I am sincerely and thankfully yours.
Mama Arlene
PS: Feedback would be appreciated as to the value of such a feature, please send that feedback to Arlene@hopemadereal.org
Work in progress: P4, P5 and P6 fence.
Work began on fence April 1, 2017
The fence is to protect the school children from falling over the embankment on to the road below. It's a long drop. The improvement is permanent.
Looking good on April 3rd.
Looking better on April 21.
Inside view April 21.
Road side view April 21.
We Need Your Help
Still thinking about a gift for the much needed Bus? “Actions speak louder than thoughts.” Funding is needed. Our aim is for 16000 USD. We have $6580 USD. Please help us reach our goal.
Friday Mornings
This is a typical Friday morning from 9 to 11 at Mama’s house. Each morning a different age group comes to play with Mama, Lambert, and Olive. These children are in the daycare and afternoon Kindergarten class. What fun they are. They spend one hour in Mama’s living room.
One hour doing sports in the front yard.
Oh, to have the energy of these little ones.
Recognition
So very proud of Deborah. Not only is she beautiful but she is smart academically. Deborah has a goal.
She intends to study law and be the best Rwanda Lawyer. She will be a credit to our family and her country.
Mama & Baby Outreach Report
Mama brings her 4 month old twin girls to Urukundo Home to say THANK YOU!
Nickese & Nikita
We supplied clothing for 26 newborn babies in April. Baby below dressed in gifts from you, who help us make a difference. This picture touched my heart.
Building a School
Progress some times hurts. For you who have been here you know Mama lived in this little house. Now it must make way for new classrooms for the expansion program at the school. I know how important this is but a bit of nostalgia just the same.
Room enough for 3 more classrooms.
House gone and land is ready for developing. When this construction is completed 140 more community children will be able to enroll in URUKUNDO LEARNING CENTER.
Additional Changes and Improvements
Our library is great but the reading and study area were very small.
From the above photos to the new photos below.
Simply removing a wall and adding some paint can make such a difference and it is cost effective. This is the new study and reading area. Now there is ample space for kids, books, and teachers. The new computer section of the library will soon be on the left wall.
There is still a space for a smaller study group among the book shelves.
Visitor
Max Attal from NYC came to visit Urukundo & Mama. Max is joining Urukundo family. Happy to have him on board as a friend to Urukundo Foundation/Hope Made Real.
Easter Special
Pastor Leonard from Presbyterian Church and two of his children visited Urukundo during his break from school. Pastor Leonard has been part of our family since 2006. We were blessed to have him.
He gave the sermon on Easter Sunday.
Looking forward to what is in store for May. Spring in Pennsylvania is a beautiful time. We will be going into the dry season in Rwanda now. Flowers grow during the dry season but we like the wet because that is when vegetables are planted and harvested.
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