Congratulations are in Order

Urukundo was honored by an invitation to the graduation celebration of an amazing school: ESTHER'S CULINARY ARTS SCHOOL, RWANDA. Check out their website.

Esther's Aid trains Rwandan youngsters in the culinary arts at their Heavenly Bread Bakery. I visited this school and was surprised to find as many young men students as young women. Several of our young girls are interested in attending these classes after finishing Senior School.

Urukundo is hoping to build a connection with this amazing organization. It is much more than a bakery. Its director Claire Effiong is doing a great job and is dedicated to making life better for Rwandan young people.  

Serephina is looking forward to being accepted as a student in 2 years.

Making Excuses

All directions on this Dell are in French, a language that I know very little about. Yes, I do know there is a way to change the directions to English but I just don't know how to do it.  Even the spellcheck is in French so every word I write has a red squiggle line under it because I write in English. I know Sarah our media person will check the spelling closely before she publishes. More work for Sarah!

I am finding there is so much I need to learn. Another example: I use two cameras to take pictures. On one there is no date printed on the picture, but on the other date stamps all photos 2011, so pictures taken with that camera appear to be at least a year old. This was pointed out to me by a friend. Last month's pictures of the Biogas project were dated 2011, yet this is a new project for 2012 and no pictures could have been taken in 2011! The date has been changed on the camera now, thanks to Jean Marie's expertise. I am blessed to have young people here who seem to have been born with the know-how to work with the technology changes. Digital cameras are wonderful but confusing.

Ok, now for pictures. October pictures are on the now defunct Mac.

Communication with the Kids

It is awesome how much jow a simple birthday card can bring. This beautiful card came to Claude from his support person in the US.  He is one happy little boy.

The kids show our visitor Clare and her niece Jessica from England how to build with Legos. The Legos remain the favorite play time activity for the kids.

Jessica.

Some of the Legos the kids have decided to keep built.  Well, for now anyway.

Amy, our volunteer at the school, brought her sister Ann to see where she was working during her holiday from another school in Rwanda.  We so appreciate Ann and her willingness to give up her holiday to help out at Urukundo Learning Center.

Kirsten our volunteer nurse from the Netherlands.

Kirsten is a such hit with the kids. So much better than this more aged person! She is learning much about medicine in Rwanda and will visit the Medical Center below our compound to get a first hand experience in Rwanda Government Health Care.

Another Story

The local police stopped our vehicle and condemned it because of its bad, unsafe tires. We had just a few days to get a new set. For us this was impossible. We knew funds were coming but that did not help now. It would have to be parked. We already had to push the car to get it started, because the battery was not good. And since the vehicle has two batteries, both would have to be replaced. Nancy Ehrig and her husband Gary were here at the time. That very day they took the vehicle to Kigali City, had 4 new tires put on it and replaced both batteries. When I was concerned, they said the money spent should be considered as part of the Ingoboka Fund. How very blessed we are. Thank you Nancy and Gary. Urukundo is ever grateful as the vehicle is critical for our safe travel and that of our Volunteers coming from other parts of the world.

Another Big Event in the Life of Urukundo

Oswald's vision has been to have a business of his own so that he can support his family. He has been the driver for Urukundo since 2006. He will still take care of our driving needs but he now owns his own minibus. It has happened!

Isn't it a beauty. Congratulations Oswald! THANK YOU to all who helped make this happen. You have truly made a difference for this family.

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

April 19th saw the start of Vincent's trip to the USA.

The kids helped load his luggage.

Last minute instructions 

Vincent is presently business administrator at Urukundo Foundation working with Felicitie, our home administrator.

Oscar in the picture is helping out while Vincent seeks further training in school administration in the USA.

Trip in trouble already! The car would not start so our guys came to the rescue and they pushed.  It started.  I think we need a new battery.

Nice down hill grade pushing worked this time.   Vincent is on his way.

We received word that Vincent arrived safely and is staying with his hosts Carol & Steve Falke in State College, Pa. 

Vincent's journey is to better equip him as administrator for our Urukundo Learning Center of which Cyakabiri Preschool is the beginning phase. The next phase is the Primary School. With help we hope to open the first class rooms in the primary school for the January 2013 term. God in Charge.

Please notice the lovely Snap Dragons along the wall. These seeds were sent to us by flower lovers in the US. Once planted they continue to grow and spread. We have no killing winter frost. Thank you flower people. You make our land more beautiful.

Other seeds needed:

Romaine lettuce, pickle cucumbers (I'm not sure about these - is there a special cucumber for pickling??).

Snow peas

Greetings from Mama Arlene in Rwanda for March 2012

Hello from Urukundo Village, Mama & the Kids.

After returning from a holiday time with family in the US things are back to normal at Urukundo village.  The boys, Claude, Emmanuel and Luki wanted a picture with me and it did not turn out too bad so I am sending it on to all of you.

I do not do pictures well but the new hair do helps, and it does make life easier.

 

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.

MORE NEWS FROM THE NURSERY

The kids love crawling through the tunnel and hiding in the tent.

Fun toys arrived for  the play area.  Would really like a sturdier set for outdoors. This one is great for the younger set.

Nancy teaching with shapes and sizes

Rocking chair is still a favorite for myself and Nancy Ohrig. our resident Nurse.

The day I have been anticipating has finally arrived. News hit the nursery that mama had candy and I am not sure who the rin leader was.  Maybe SOSO (his legs are short but he can travel)! They traveled en masse down the yard, past the kitchen and arrived in my bedroom looking for the candy. 

They were happy kids as you can see but the babies staying in the nursery is now a thing of the past. They are so beautiful.

The mamas were close behind and they also got candy. I am so grateful we were able to buy the problem house and close the alley so the children are safe to come to mama's house.

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.

The month has been filled with outreach ministry to the community, schools and other NGOs.  I also received my share of love when my youngest son, Jerry came to visit and share the work at Urukundo Village.

It was the perfect valentine's gift for me, and my yard is most beautiful because of the work he did.

Notice the heart - my reminder of his visit and his love for all Urukundo kids and me.

Not an easy job but worth the labor.

Tools of the trade, no mulch, just beautiful work well done.

Jerry was a big hit with all the kids, especially the little ones. They ask where is Jorry?

Emmanuel and Agide with Jerry.

Sarah and Jerry.

Claude was Jerry's shadow.  The two 'Mr Fix-Its'! 

Jerry returned to the US February 17th.  Needless to say, the kids were not happy.

More Outreach

90 children, both boys and girls, attended a Basketball Clinic/camp at Urukundo Village. The Clinic was held by Rob Thomson.

Rob is an American/Rwandan citizen born in Pennsylvania wearing the #12 Uniform. He is 6 ft 10 tall.

 

First team up for instructions.

Rob Thomson giving some tips.

Coach Ryan Turcott.

Coach Jacque Bahige.

Abis, Rob, Bosco & Claude.

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

In May Jan Brown, the Cyakabiri teachers and the girls visited Akagera National Park.   The animals are wonderful and a delight to see.

Not to be outdone by the girls the boys with their benefactor Lisa, our visitors Talia and Nicole and several staff member made the trip also.

Each trip was different and the kids appreciated being invited to go on the 5 hour journey each way.

They packed a lunch and then munched on bananas on the ride home.

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.

Urukundo Foundation and this mama want to thank both Jan Brown and Lisa Martilotta for giving such a wonderful opportunity to be shared by our children.