School in session
School is back in session for the second term. There are three terms in each school year. The kids are ready and excited. You can see that in these photos, taken the first day of the second term.
P6 kids went to school an hour earlier, so Claude, Luki and Aline are not in the photo.
Claude Luki and Aline.
Child of the month
Kenny and Kenilla.
OK, so it should read ìchildren.î However, these two are one special package. They are twins.
Kenny and Kenilla were sent to Urukundo Home by family and Gender Exc Sec Gerard Ndatsikira and were accompanied by their grandfather, Kayitare Gaeton. After giving birth, their mother abandoned the children, leaving them with the grandfather.
Their grandfather is in poor health and confined to a wheelchair. He tried his best but could not care for them as they grew older. The social worker in the area brought them to Urukundo.
Pastor Yves visits their grandfather. 
We have watched them grow from babies to the P5 students they are today. Kenny and Kenilla are not identical, but there is a resemblance that says they are twins. They have totally different personalities. Kenny is the jokester. Kenilla is serious. Kenny is the student. Kenilla is the caregiver.
Both are a blessing to the Urukundo Home for Children.
A lookback
It's years later, but they're our babies.
Such a blessing to see them growing up!
Child of the Month
Jacob
Jacob is very special in my life. As I have said before, I have the privilege and honor to name the little ones who come to us with no identity.
As a young mother, I dreamed of naming one of my kids for my dad, Jacob Robert Griffith. That did not happen. When this beautiful young baby boy arrived in our Urukundo family, my dream was realized. So you see, Jacob was named for my dad whom I loved very much, making him a bit special.
We think Jacob was born about Friday, Dec. 28, 2012. We call that his birthdate. He arrived at Urukundo on Friday, Jan. 4, 2013. He was seven to 10 days old at the time.
He was a wonderful surprise. A gift between Christmas and the New Year. Can’t do better than that.
This dear baby boy was found very late at night. He was kicking and crying. He was in a ditch along a side road in Muhanga District. He was out of harm’s way but not safe.
The police on patrol heard him crying and kicking up a storm. Why not? He was alone and hungry. It was late at night. So what to do? The police were wise and took this crying baby to the health center across the road from Urukundo Village. Good move. The hospital had no milk for the infant and sent the police and their bundle to Urukundo and our mamas. They were sure we had milk, and, of course, we did.
Jacob had found a home, food and love.
Jacob’s role model
Jacob has an idol. When asked what he wants to be when he grows up, his reply was, “I WANT TO BE A BENJAMIN.” This surprised us until we realized he wanted to be a man like our maintenance manager Benjamin. He follows Benj everywhere and Benj gives him work to do alongside himself. Construction is in his future as Benjamin is in charge of construction at Urukundo.
For Christmas, Bob and Amy Dove, who are volunteers living here and Jacob’s education sponsors, had the Urukundo Sewing Center make him a suit like the one Benjamin wears.
Jacob with Amy and Bob
What a fantastic boy!
He graduates from preschool in November 2018.
Urukundo assistant manager Jacob. Now he has boots also like Benj.
Jacob’s best friend is his Urukundo big brother, Tresor. This little boy is such a treasure.
Rock Garden New to Urukundo Kids
For a long time, the children have been collecting and giving me precious stones. These stones are unique as there are many colors and crystal-like particles in them. They are beautiful, but I needed to do something with the stones. My bedroom was getting crowded.
What better than a rock garden?
The kids loved the idea, so a part of the garden was set aside for the rocks. Their first message was HELLO FRIEND. The second was a welcome home for Mama. Each week, the kids will choose a word they all want to learn and will spell it in the rock garden with the little stones. Oh, yes, the stones are many sizes.
Love it.
Mama spent a two days in Kigali. The children welcomed me home with this word and a photo in the rock garden.
Love these kids.
Child of the Month
Egide
Egide came to Urukundo on May 7, 2011.
This is my favorite photo.
Sorry, Soso and Egide. Mama could not resist this photo.
Egide is a beautiful boy with love to give. So happy we were here to help heal his little heart and return the love.
The Vice Mayor from the Muhanga District brought Egide to Urukundo. His story is limited. We do not know his date of birth, but, based on his growth and his teeth, we believe he was 4 years old.
This is the story brought to us:
A young woman was seen walking into the water at the lake carrying a small child close in her arms. She was wading out into the deep water, holding her little boy with tears running down her face. A woman who was watching felt something was very wrong and called for help. Several men nearby came at her call for help and went into the water to bring the protesting mother and the little boy to safety. The mother intended to drown herself and the little boy. Both she and the boy were pulled from the deep water in time to save them. We are so thankful for the person who came along at the right time.
His mom is Vestine and she is in a hospital for mentally disturbed persons. We are hoping she will recover from the trauma she has lived through. We pray for her.
Egide is a fine young man and very handsome. He just started fourth grade.
In December 2017, Egide earned his orange belt in Karate. He had a white belt and advanced so well that he skipped the yellow belt and now is orange. That is quite an achievement. Congratulations, Egide and Sarah.
Creative Writing
Some of the 1st, 2nd and 3rd grades classes took on writing projects. This year titles were, “How I go to School”, “How I Would Like to Go to School” and “Where I Like to Read”. What fun it was to compare what the Rwanda and US kids wrote. This was a great tool to learn about each other’s cultures.
Going to school…..In Rwanda the kids walk or their parents bring them on a bicycle or motorcycle. In the US they come mostly by bus or in their parent’s car. Fun ways the Rwandan kids would like to go to school are by helicopter, hopping on a frog, holding onto a butterfly or balloons or kite or on the back of a gecko or elephant. A dream for several would be to ride a bus like the kids in the US. Imagination was key for this project.
Our Youth's Future
I find it hard to believe that the little children we started out with in 2006 are now young men and women ready for university. Tresor, Divine, Alexander, Anett, Esperance and Lucie have all finished secondary school (High School). We are blessed to have support for 4 of our students and are praying for support for the other two. Let me know if you can help with their education.
Anett and Esperance still need $4,500-5,000 annually for tuition and expenses. Anett will study International Relations and Esperance Nursing.
Anett
Esperance
Lucie gets her Visa
It was an exciting day for Lucie. Her interview with the Consul at the US Embassy was a bit scary. It went well and she received her visa.
Lucie has finished Secondary School and will receive Second Language Training at THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS-PAN AMERICAN UTPA ENGLISH LANGUAGE INSTITUTE.
It is her goal to become fluent in English and go on as a Divinity student. After her studies she will return to Rwanda and Urukundo with the hope of helping her brothers and sisters in our home to reach their goals in life. Lucie will make a great pastor. Her sense of humor, her love of children and her desire to serve God in whatever capacity possible is for Urukundo another HOPE MADE REAL.
Go for it Lucie. Your family at Urukundo loves you and will miss you while you are away!
