The daycare children visited Mama’s residence.
Manager Anitha and kids.
What joy!
I am delighted. The children are no longer afraid of Ollie.
He decided to stay in my garden.
Carol on a mission
First stop, the daycare. A few new toys and an infant safety zone were on the agenda.
Head teacher getting a baby's eye view of hanging toys and a mirror.
Now the babies get a turn.
Baby accepts the whole idea. Hanging animals are a delight.
Manager Anitha introduces the babies in daycare to something new.
Next on Carol's mission was the Urukundo Learning Center and the handwashing station inside the school gate.
Greeting teachers is also important.
Just the beginning of Carol's journey at the Urukundo Foundation. More in the May newsletter.
Day care
Not exactly a playpen, but it works
Balls and small toys cannot roll away.
Day care intern
Lambert Musabyimana has completed his internship at Urukundo Day Care. He came to serve the internship through an NGO called Save the Children International. We were blessed by his presence. Although his internship is finished, he expects to spend time as a volunteer at Urukundo Day Care.
Photo shows him with one of our day care kids.
Day care
Foote ball at an early age.
Day care kids need more balls to practice with. Are there such things as little soccer balls?
The blue ball collapses when you step on it. See the photo below.
Boy in red and white sweater with his foot on the blue ball. Oh well, it bounces back.
Visit to the day care
The little ones were outside this time.
The thrill for me was when this little boy looked me over, decided I was OK and did not cry.
Dariela came and let me take her hand. Notice the roof of the new residence in the background. The playground and day care are on the middle level. Such joy when I also live on this level! Being with the kids is my joy.
I look forward to the day when I do not have to climb the mountain to be here. It will be soon.
Here is why.
Feature of the Month: The Day Care
Many months in the process, thanks to so many, we celebrate the day care project as completed. God is good. In our five-year plan, we hoped to complete the day care project in 2020. Our plan was good but not the best plan. The Covid-19 pandemic changed the plans of many, Urukundo included. The need for wages for our employees, more classrooms for distancing, handicap-accessible walkways, a central wash station and a larger dining room took precedence, and the day care was put on hold.
The completion of the dining room project let us expand the day care space. We were able to transform the original dining room into a play area for the day care, thus enlarging the space for day care. Mama’s house no longer needs to be used for play space. This means that the day care, which is in the original home for girls, is in one building. The day care serves 15 to 30 children from birth to kindergarten.
As I said, “God’s plan works best.”
The expanded space will be used on weekends for weddings, meetings and special celebrations. Thanks to a special gift, a rod was installed and a curtain made and put in place. The curtain allows a hiding place for toys etc. so that weddings and meetings can take place. This area is also used for the younger children to have Sunday School. It is a great place with lots of space for teaching our younger children the good news.
Toddlers and older children now have a new play area. Kids can run a bit, stretch their little legs and enjoy being kids.
Lunch at the day care. Notice the little guy under the table.
A safe environment and safe toys along with children learning to play together and to share are big parts of the day care’s agenda.
Babies still take first place in the heart and on the back.
Even if the baby is a bear.
Little ones under 18 months have their play area with much loving care.
Our little ones sleep. It is time for a rest.
Naptime for babies.
Our staff does a great job. Delphine, Betty, manager Anitha, Josephine and Francoise.
Precious faces
Featuring baby Edith at daycare.
Big brother Jerry, little sister Edith.
Sarah is such a helper in the daycare!
Playtime at daycare
New ball at the daycare. Purple is a good color.
Here are some of our favorite toys. Elmo is tops and speaks.