Mama and the Visiting Dentist

About two years ago I broke a front tooth. Many of you know my passion for hard pretzels. A kind friend sent me a bag of them and yes, that is how the tooth was broken. With 45 kids needing dental care there was just not enough financing for me to go to the dentist.

"Well, I thought that was a good excuse for not going".

Again, God did not agree so the dentist came to me - Dr. Rickmeyer from Arizona, Dr. Drew Cahoon from Canada, Dr. Moses from Rwanda, dental students Eulaude and Kizito, Misty Reberger and Pam Nichols and finally Dr. Bryan Murray.

So you see dentists just kept popping up! Claude was treated and healed. Cecelia received two root canals, Anett had two teeth removed in preparation for dental work for a severe overbite and others were treated. Still I continued to ignore my need to visit the dentist. 

Seems dentistry was in my future, like it or not. I am one of those people who break out in a cold sweat at the mention of the dentist if it applies to me. I send the kids and tell them how wonderful the dentist is and how we must not eat too much candy and brush our teeth and they love Dr. Rick and Dr. Drew who come to visit us on a regular basis. Well, at least once a year.

Dr. Drew brought two special visitors to Urukundo, Dr. Byron Murray and his wife Janet from Alberta, Canada. The two doctors decided I needed to have some dental care as a good example for the kids. Sure, they knew how to maneuver me into the dentist chair at a local clinic where my tooth could be repaired. Like so many things "for my own good" I was not happy but I kept the appointment. Either dentistry has come a long way or I have matured because there was absolutely no pain and the tooth is beautiful and repaired and I can smile again. It is wonderful.

Janet Murray is a seamstress by vocation and is coming back to Urukundo to help teach in our sewing Center.

Help Make Joy : Guest Post by Carol Falke, State College, PA

Sunday School children, book clubs, alternative Christmas, preschool global giving projects. What do they have in common? Marc, 11yrs old, says it best, "I got to help make joy for the people of Rwanda. We gave money for a pig and desks. It was really cool."
The end of 2012 brought many joys and examples of giving that I knew God was smiling and blessing all the hands and feet serving. One little boy gave at Sunday School to purchase a pig for the farm and said it was “Special. Heart soaking.” Barb said with a smile, “For the past several years, I've given a donation as an alternative to purchasing a Christmas gift for my parents. This year I chose to honor them by giving a gift of desks and chairs to the new primary school. My parents were so touched! They have always valued education, and this seemed like the perfect way to show our love for and support of the children of Rwanda.”

Two women’s book clubs were inspired to give towards desks, bookshelves and books. Gail shared, “Learning and loving to read is one of the most wonderful gifts given to us all. It opens the world around us. We chose having bookshelves for your classroom to enable you to fill the world around you with books, books and more books!” And Darlene’s book club said, “All children deserve the chance to receive an education. It is the building block for a nation.”

A partnership was formed a year ago with a preschool. Classes at each school in Rwanda and the US are learning what is the same and what is different. They are learning about each other’s countries and to appreciate their culture. This school selected Urukundo as their Global Giving Project for 2012. Almost $400 was raised for desks, bookshelves and teacher materials.

So for 2013, be creative, think BIG and connect people, schools, organizations to the Urukundo Children’s Home and Learning Center. They will fall in love with the children, understand how something small can mean something big in Rwanda and KNOW they are truly making a difference. Share the stories of Urukundo with others to give them the opportunity to Help Make Joy all year long!!!

Hope House is a Fun Place

Each morning, except Sunday, Mama and the younger kids who are not in preschool gather at Hope House for two hours of fun and activities geared just for them.

It gets a bit noisy. Every thing does not run smooth. There are the normal squabbles but we share the fun and love.

It also gives the Mamas a time to catch their breath.

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.