It was a wonderful birthday celebration and I can't wait for the next one in ten years.
Thank you everyone who contributed to the fund for the Primary School as a gift to me.
Graduation Day at Cyakabiri Preschool
What a wonderful day for 47 kids and their proud parents with the wearing of the robe and mortar board as the first graduates from Cyakabiri Preschool.
The kids lined up for the march from the school to Hope House was spectacular. Led by the teachers they paraded in line for all to see followed by parents and friends.
A vision of blue and gold
Presenting diplomas to the graduates was the highlight for the Director of Cyakabiri Preschool.
The speakers were Felix, the contractor who built the preschool and is building the primary school, and one of the parents. The kids put on a skit about education. Songs were sung and two of the students gave a speech.
Now the younger kids want to know when we will have another graduation. That is so great because it gives them something to work toward.
Hug Movement Honors Urukundo Foundation
Hug Movement's founder Ornella.
Ornella and her father and mother.
Our kids and employees were present for the recognition. Other guests included Donald W. Koran, US Ambassador to Rwanda, Bruce Korgh, Director of Carnegie Mellon Rwanda, Christine Whitekettle PA and Tom Macgreager, of the UK NGO Food for the Hungry.
Tresor giving speech with Urukundo kids looking on.
The kids choose Tresor to speak for them and this is what he wrote:
"I am by the names of Cyubahiro Tresor speaking on behalf of Urukundo Foundation children. For us children, this is a family which has a lot of meaning to us that we can not get enough words to express it.
Among all that this family means to us, we can now speak about some of them. First of all, Urukundo Foundation means a family to us children as we have parents who are close to us and who knows our needs and provide us with the needs. From the first day that we became a part of this family till today, this family does all it can trying to make each of our new days brighter according to its financial capacity and we really do appreciate that.
We are given love by our guardians for everyone is not living for herself or himself but rather lives for all of us children in the family. A first and a good example to this was set by Mama Arlene, who left her country, her kindred and all she could get from her family and came here in Rwanda to live with us, people she had not known, but because of the love she has, she came all the way to our country to be an answer to some of our prayers that we always said to God. And right now our eyes can show us how powerful the decision she made was.
On behalf of the children of this family, I’d like to say that it means more than anyone can think of. We know and we hope that our Mama and all others who help to make this family that they wish and plan a better and a brighter future and more for it is a family driven by love as we all know. Love does it all.
I can say a lot about this family and how important it is to us children and the country at large but even if I don’t say more to this, our eyes can show everyone that this is a great family that the Lord God has made and blessed.
I can not end this speech without thanking Mama Arlene for all she did, all she does, and all she plans to do for her children and the country at large, may the Almighty God bless her very much. I’d like also to thank all other people who try their best to help this family to go on with the work it does, may the Almighty Father bless them so much.
I can not also end this speech without thanking our Government which gave her a place in our country, which believed she can contribute a lot to this extent and allowed her to be here doing all this work she is doing. May our heavenly Father bless you so much.
Once again organizers thank you for your invitation, and for all attendants thank you for your attention.
Greetings from Mama Arlene and the Urukundo Family for June 2012
June has been an exciting month for me and for Urukundo Village.
Pink eye hit the secondary schools and two of our kids were home for treatment. Then John Paul dislocated his shoulder playing soccer and also returned home for treatment. Otherwise we are all in good health.
We have been blessed with volunteers from many countries. They worked in every facet of Urukundo. The young people who came were from 8 different countries.
Our very first mama has graduated from University. She is the fourth University graduate sponsored by Urukundo. Juliette was the first full time mama when we started our home for girls in Kiibirigi in 2006.
The Governor of South Province paid us a visit and a delegation from the Provisional Government in the capital, Kigali, came to view the water project. A delegation from the Local Muhanga Government came to carry out the yearly evaluation and finally the Ambassador from the United States paid us a visit. Cramming all that into just four weeks made it a very interesting and busy month.
Big Event in the Life of Urukundo
Juliette : one happy girl and one very proud mama.
The graduate : the tassel on the cap makes the difference.
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.
Visit from the Governor
The Governor and a delegation from South Province visited Urukundo Village to view the water and solar pump project.
Our water system, thanks to Rotary and many friends of Urukundo, is an innovation in the area.
Gary Ehrig did the honors for Urukundo. He is a good ambassador.
Everyone there was pleased and thanked Urukundo for making South Province and Muhanga District a better place to live.
The Governor of South Province and our Muhanga District Mayor at the water project.
The Provisional Government from Kigali City Visits
Waiting for our Local Government reps to arrive.
We are honored. Oscar, Business Administrator for Urukundo, shakes hands with dignitaries.
Labor Day
May 1 is the cultural LABOR DAY in Rwanda. It is not a day off from work but a day when employers invite all workers to join together with the administrative staff (that includes me) for conversation, for some food treats (sumbosa) and Fanta.
Our staff works very hard. They work long hours and with little pay.
The day before the meeting was to take place word was spread that there would be a meeting of all Urukundo staff at 2 pm Tuesday.
They came looking rather concerned. This was a surprise for them and the first time Labor Day had been celebrated in our village.
I just learned about this wonderful tradition. It will be a yearly celebration.
Awards were given in recognition of devoted service. It was difficult to choose who would get the awards.
The award for length of service was given to Delphine (6 years), mama from the girls' home. The award for 'most flexible' with 5 years service went to Betty in the Nursery. Betty has worked in every area in the home plus the school. She is versatile and works wherever needed and is now permanent in the nursery (I think). Benjimin the builder, who maintains our homes and manages the construction on site, was also recognized with an award.
It was two hours well spent.
Workers gathered.
It was my pleasure to serve those who serve.