Greetings from Urukundo Village and Learning Center - June 2013

It was such a blessing for me to be able to attend Solange's graduation from Rowe High  School in McAllen Texas. Solange has been amazing. She was able to complete 3 years of credits for High School in one year. This was done through hard work, dedication and a strong desire to succeed.

CONGRATULATIONS SOLANGE!

During my time in Pittsburgh I met with the art students of Propel High school. They have partnered with our kids and other high schools in PA. The project is HEARTS FOR RWANDA.

The project raised over $1200 to help with education in Urukundo Learning Center.

These are just a few of the kids who took part in the project.

Inside Propel High School

Students partner with students at Urukundo Learning Center.  I was honored to see Rwanda's Flag displayed  on the school wall.

The project consisted of the art students accepted art mats from the children of Urukundo added their ideas, mounted the art and added pictures of the Rwanda student and the Propel student. These were for sale. 

T-shirts were designed, printed and sold.  

HEARTS FOR RWANDA is a project founded and supported by SPIRIT WORKS YOGA CENTER in Pittsburgh.

Homecoming

I arrived home in Urukundo Village on June 12, 2013.  It was a very happy day for me as I was homesick for the children. Now I will be homesick for family and friends at home in the US!  Seems that is the way it will be.

I have recovered from jetlag and am catching up here.
The homecoming was awesome. When we arrived the gate was wide open with banana trees on both sides of the road. (this is a traditional indication of celebration.) The children, including Jacob and all the staff with Pastor Antoine, were in the yard at the steps waving and cheering. 

Johnny brought me a special flower.

The school children were in school uniforms and very handsome. They sang songs for me and were so excited. 

We did a group hug.

Hard to keep my balance but it was great!

                                                          

The staff gave hugs. There was colored ribbon and balloons around the door and a ribbon to cut to go in. Claude #2 held a wooden plate with scissors on it. I cut the ribbon and we went inside. More songs were sung by all and Pastor Antoine prayed thanking God for my safe return. It was truly a wonderful welcome. The kids each had a lollipop and the staff had chocolate, and know that treat was sent by family in America. 

Later in the afternoon visitors from the village stopped by to say welcome home.
Then it was back to business as usual on Thursday.

April Greetings from Rwanda and the US

Hello from both sides of the world.

The April and May newsletters will be unique. I bring you greetings from Sarah our media person in Seattle, Mama in Pennsylvania, the kids at Urukundo Village and Carol Falke in both Urukindo & the US.

I departed Rwanda and Urukundo on April 1. There were mixed feelings as I hugged and kissed and waved bye to all the kids.

The teens had just come home on holiday from secondary school and I had little time to spend with them. We really look forward to holidays.  This one was only for 3 weeks. Knowing Carol Falke from State College would be there for 12 days after I left  made it a little easier for me. 

David, our 4 year old, told me before I left he would watch my bed and not let anyone sleep in it. He was so sincere. At the last minute Johnny picked me a flower from our garden and gave it to me to take with me. Johnny brings me a flower from the yard every day when I am home. 

I left Urukundo Village on a threefold journey. Some of you know I had a vein problem a year and a half ago and it was time to have it checked. The report is excellent. The problem is no more.

The second reason was a joy. My very first grandson Christian was being married to Sara, a wonderful young woman, and I wanted so much to be there.  The weather was perfect and the bride and groom were beautiful. Yep, as Gram of the groom I can say he was beautiful. The photographer even made me look special. Georgia is a beautiful state.

Mama and brother of the groom as escort.

Sara and Christian.

Mother Patricia and Dad Dale.  I am a very happy Grandmother.

The third part of my journey is to find funding to build more classrooms for the Urukundo Learning Center.

I am hoping many of you will take part in this project to provide Education for children who want and deserve an opportunity to learn and succeed in life. Providing that opportunity is the goal of  Urukundo Foundation and its friends and families.

Easter Celebrated

 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.

Palm Sunday - a guest post by Carol Falke

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!!

Women's Day 2013

In Rwanda we do not have a "MOTHERS DAY" as we do in the US. We do however celebrate women on a special day in March.

The women on our staff gathered for a 2 hour celebration and time to just be together. It was great fun. Sumbosa and Fanta were the refreshments.

A Tribute

It is my pleasure to honor a very special couple as patrons for Urukundo Foundation. I have wanted for a long time to pay special tribute to Tom & Carolyn Nunnally. I went to the dictionary to be sure I was using the right word to describe their participation at Urukundo Village and Learning Center.  

Mr. Webster says a Patron is: 'a person who gives financial or other support to a person, organization, cause, or activity.'

This description does not begin to tell the story of Tom and Carolyn and their love and support that has blessed us. They are Partners in service, advisors, encouragers, prayer partners and strength givers for me and for Urukundo Foundation and Hope Made Real.

This stone is small in comparison to the kindness and love this couple have shown to the vulnerable children in Rwanda. Thank you Carolyn and Tom.

Hearts for Rwanda

A vote of thanks to a special young girl with a HEART FOR RWANDA.

HALEY JUSTICE from State College, Pa, USA

HEARTS FOR RWANDA IS AWESOME.

Haley needs to come visit Urukundo and meet the kids. Our kids are our strength for the future. Young people like Haley will make a difference. Thank you Haley from Mama and all the Urukundo Kids.

Urukundo Learning Center

The official opening of the Urukundo Learning Center took place on a very rainy Saturday, March 23, 2013.

Even with the rain the attendance was heart warming. We were honored by the presence of the Vice Mayor in charge of Social Affairs, the Executive Secretary of Cyeza Sector,  the Village Leader, The President, Vice President and Secretary of Urukundo Foundation. Carol Falke, Carol and Linda from State College, Pa. and Margie Korgh from Pittsburgh, Pa, were also our guests. After the ceremony and the ribbon cutting a special lunch was served to our guests and friends.

The Urukundo Learning Center includes Cyakabiri Preschool, Urukundo Primary School, the Urukundo Library, Urukundo Sewing Center which is the first of our Technical Schools (in process) and the ESL school for Adult Education. We are active in education - feel free to join.

It is our hope that construction can continue until all 12 grades of Primary and Secondary School will be ready for students. We welcome partners who share our vision of education on every level for every child.

God in charge every thing is possible. Ask how can I help? Ideas are welcome. 

Carol and Mama.

Foundation President Hildebrand & Vise President Oswald      

Director speaking, Oscar Translating 
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.

                                          

Children and teachers presented a program for our audience.

Memorial Stone Added to the Path of Learning

In Memory and With Love

Elma was one of the very first to take this mission to heart.

She was an amazing gift giver. You see she decided to handle her estate while she yet lived.

I received word of her gift and assumed she had gone to her reward so sent my condolences to her son Larry.

His reply surprised me: 'My mother is still with us. It was her wish to give her gift while she could see the benefits it gave.'

In 2011 at age 95 Elma went to her rest. She indeed had a loving heart and we celebrate her life.

Christmas Day

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.

Christmas Eve for the Kids

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.