Another Big Event in the Life of Urukundo
What is there to do at Urukundo Village?
Ask the 7 Students and 2 leaders from SMU in Texas, USA. They came for a day and worked hard.
Michael Dearman, Corbin Swagerty and Sargent Jimmy Winn, the co-leader, worked at clearing the land in preparation for building the hoped-for primary school. This was the first work signaling the beginning of Project PRIMARY SCHOOL.
Oscar our administrator supervised.
The girls removed bricks from an old wall and we will reuse them to construct the chicken house.
Their leader Pat Davis and Haleigh Wagner work in the library. Indeed there are many jobs to do. Spending time with the children is an added bonus.
Thank you for coming and sharing SMU, Texas.
One child, one laptop. Corbin's research project in action.
It turned out Corbin's research project for school was the project ONE CHILD, ONE LAPTOP. He was delighted to see the actual laptops being used.
Ketetha Olengue (with baby Diane on her back) and the girls spent time with the babies and toddlers. The girls helped with baths, and helped serve breakfast and lunch. The most fun was singing with Corbin on the guitar, sharing story and game time. Our kids loved every minute.
Vincent's Journey to the USA
Last minute instructions
Nice down hill grade pushing worked this time. Vincent is on his way.
Greetings from Mama Arlene in Rwanda for March 2012
A VERY SICK LITTLE BABY 8 days ago
Ready to come home.
We are thankful for her recovery and return home. Her lovely pink blanket was a gift from Lisa Carter in North Carolina, USA.
Fun toys arrived for the play area. Would really like a sturdier set for outdoors. This one is great for the younger set.
Greetings from Mama Arlene in Rwanda for February 2012
February the traditional month for sharing love, and it has been such a month for Urukundo Foundation.
More Outreach
Urukundo Five Year Report
2006 - 2011
Urukundo Children's Village as of this date has 46 orphans and abandoned children.
18 of our children are in secondary School. 12 are in Primary School.
11 of our children are in Preschool.
5 are in our Nursery (Safe Haven).
6 former young staff members in University. (Designated funds).
First graduate We are very proud of Diane.
We are giving employment to 34 local citizens. All employees are covered by medical insurance upon providing proof they have covered their own children with medical coverage from a local hospital.
Urukundo Foundation provides 329 children of very poor families with supplies required in order for them to attend primary school.
Urukundo Foundation cares for 2 families with teen head-of-households with a total of 14 children (several missing when photo taken).
At the same time we need to develop the general infrastructure and create sustainable long-term business.
We can be the first orphanage/NGO ever reaching self-sufficiency and economic independency.
It is an incredible task and challenge.
WHAT HAS BEEN DONE
2006. Rented first Urukundo Home for Girls with 15 girls. Today's total is now 21.
2006: Rented first house for guests. Some little income.
2006: purchased four wheel drive vehicle (directors funds).
2007: Rented first Urukundo Home for Boys with 7 boys. Today's total is 24.
2007: First purchase of land to start chicken industry and safe area for kids to play outside of town.
First Chicken House
Deed of first ownership
2007 through 2011: Purchased, registered and paid for 14 joining small properties using (missionary gifts and Arlene's SS income) to establish Urukundo Village.
Claiming the top of the mountain.
2008: Built a Home for Boys, a soccer field and a basket ball court.
2008: Built a Home for Girls. (Director's personal funds)
2008-2009: Constructed buildings for kitchen, offices, and storage.
2009: Built Multipurpose House. This house includes a Library, classrooms, meeting room, worship center, celebration house and dorm for teams with more than 4 people.
2009: constructed a shed for the 1 cow and 1 calf.
2009: Purchased another cow and her calf. (Designated Money from People to People). Milk for babies and HIV kids.
2009: purchased home for Guesthouse on adjourning property, resident for director, clinic, office. Now Cyakabiri School for Young Children.
Increased chicken industries to include broilers and layers. (Producing eggs for income and meat).
Broilers
Layers
2010: started JR Saving’s accounts for kids. Fina bank
2010: Built a "SAFE HAVEN" Nursery for throw-away babies. We have 15 Under 5 years.
Established Cyber Café for community and income producing nonprofit business. (Rental property) Purchased 5 PC and a copier.
We planted 7 kitchen gardens and all available land. Veg for children and excess for sale.
Purchased 3 Sheep (designated money). Total now 8 and expecting. Meat for kids.
Started rabbit hutches purchased 2 rabbits and a gift of 2.
At present total 64. Sell and use for meat for children.
2011: Director purchased large home and guesthouse. (Personal funds savings for old age. Might be now.)
2011: Purchased house and land (Loan from Fina Bank) protection of children, larger clinic in better location, closer to children. Additional guest rooms to accommodate teams coming as volunteers. Work not completed.
Received 3 cows from District a gift. Total cows now 5. Two milk cows and 3 yet to breed.
Constructed larger housing for number of cows (designated funds) and fenced in pastureland with barbed wire.Fenced in all Urukundo land to protect our children and animals. (Barbed wire)
2011: Purchased 5 pigs a gift from visitors. (Designated money) Meat and marketing.
2011: Built pig housing.
2011: Increased goat herd by 12 new goats (designated money) Meat for kids (total 18 at present).
Renovated first cow barn to accommodate goats and sheep.
2011: With support of Park Forest and devoted people Urukundo built a water system for the Binunga Community. In time it will also benefit our schools. (Designated funds)
2011: Solar pumps and power were added to the water project thanks to Rotary International. (Designated funds). The project will benefit over 3000 people plus Urukundo Village when schools are constructed.
2011: Added 3 tanks for harvesting rainwater. (Designated funds)
Purchased truck for farm. (Designated funds).
Cyakabiri School opened. The first step in the planned URUKUNDO LEARNING CENTER.
Trip to Akagera National Park
It was a long journey and a good time was had by all.
Animals include cape buffalo, warthogs, zebra, water buck mama and calf, impala, giraffe, older male baboon and hippos.