Because Easter was so late in the month we are including it in the April Newsletter.
Pastor Antoine and translator Oscar. We are fortunate to have several translators including our kids.
Taking part in celebrating A RISEN CHRIST.
NEIGHBORS join in the service.
We are so fortunate to be in Rwanda to observe Palm Sunday. This morning the children gathered so they could walk into the church singing hosanna and waving palms. The teens and even the littlest one, Kevine holding Carol Baney's hand and carrying a palm leaf made this so special.
Arlene shared what this day means to her. "People were expecting a king but when Jesus came as a simple servant and was humble to the people he was not acceptable." For Arlene it comes down to 1 song sung at church today, "Jesus is Alive in Africa" or in Kinyarwanda "Jesu ni Muzima".
The 1 hr 45 min service included the children from the Urukundo Home as well as others from the community. The evening before Linda practiced songs with the teens and even taught them "He is Lord". After we all sang it once during the service Arlene asked Linda if she would sing it. You always say yes to Mama. So, for the first time ever, Linda sang not only solo but acapella. It was beautiful! Thank you Linda!!
Carol and Mama.
Consular Emily and Neal Makley
President of Urukundo and President of Parents Association.
Support team from USA We were so honored to have them present for this event.
Etienne, Mama, Vise Mayor, Exec Secretary from US Embassy. joined the celebration.
Vise Mayor Fortunee, Social Affairs Muhanga District. 
Cutting the RibbonVise Mayor, US Consular, me.
Elma was one of the very first to take this mission to heart.The children know this is not actually the birthday of Jesus but a day that we, as his disciples set aside to worship and honor his birth. It is a very special day.
On Christmas Day we celebrated the birthday of Jesus with worship. The kids had a program and sang carols in English : SILENT NIGHT & JOY TO THE WORLD. They worked very hard to get all the English words properly. The staff and their children joined us and after worship we served juice and cake donuts for all and gifts for the children of the staff.
The red hats with URUKUNDO on the front are a gift to us from Gary Ehrig. There were enough for everyone to have one. It was very special. Thank you Gary.
We celebrated the party, hardy, Christmas on Christmas Eve. Food, fun and gifts for all the children. Fanta, sumbosa, a tree, music, dancing and 2 gifts for every child. It took place after dinner. The little ones had their treat and gifts first and went off to bed happy. The older kids then had their party into the evening.
The food and drink was provided by the sponsor of Liliane (Carolyn and Mark) who sent extra money for us to be used for Christmas. Thank you.
The music was a gift from Jean Marie one of our staff. The gifts were from boxes sent from our support family and friends to be shared with the children. Thank you all. Talia and Meredith came for Christmas with a gift for every child. What better family support could Urukundo have?
The kids sat on the floor of Hope House and opened gifts together. each child received a gift from you and a gift from our visitors Meredith and Talia.
The little children sang Happy Birthday Jesus. We all joined in. I am sure there were smiles in heaven.
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.
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'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.
