Luki, David, Kenny & Claude.
Gathering in Mama’s room.
Prince
Moved to the porch. Better place for pictures. They are beautiful.
Kavine Molly joined the group. She does not go to school yet but loves to be included.
Greetings from Urukundo Village - May 2014
Can you believe I forgot our founding anniversary until I received congratulations from a friend at Akilah Institute for Women? I can’t believe I did that.
These are some facts and the progress made in the past 8 years. How time has flown.
May 2014 is the 8th anniversary of Urukundo Foundation.
MAY 6, 2006 Urukundo had its simple beginning.
A rented house, one child, one mama, one guard and me.
May is a very special time for the Urukundo Family.
For those of you who are new to the Urukundo Foundation family and for all you who have been part of the family for a long time I thank you for the love and support you have given. A few reminders of happenings in the last 8 years.
My family in America is awesome and continues to grow with 2 new babies in the past year.
I raised my family in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. Lately I am from Pittsburgh as well as Williamsport. I am blessed to be mom to 5, grandmother of 16 and Great Grandmother of 17.
I have had a full life and it expanded when I moved to Rwanda after the genocide to care for vulnerable children. Our children range in ages from 19 years to 1 week old. Our most recent arrival, a little boy, came to us only hours old. 28 kids are in secondary school (high school) 17 are in Pre to P2, and 2 are in public school. 4 are in the nursery. That should add up to 51. Yes I do know all their names and ages but I have to check my records to know when birthdays are. Hey, I'm a mom and I have the same problems with my bunch in the US.
Urukundo Village began in May 2006 as a home for girls, in a year a home for boys was added. When babies entered my life a nursery was needed. From there the farm became a part of the Village. On our farm we have cows, pigs, chickens, goats (both milk and meat) and rabbits.
With help from Rotary International a clean and free water supply was constructed for the community. Later the Urukundo Learning Center, a Sewing Initiative and a Dental Initiative plus a small shop where we can sell milk and eggs and products made at the sewing were put in place.
The need for quality education for the poor children in the district became apparent. That need included the kids at Urukundo Village.
Now our village has a home for boys, a home for girls, a nursery, a farm with animals and gardens where we grow much of our own food. A day care for community parents, a preschool, kindergarten, Primary one, primary 2 Music room, and a Library. We have an enrollment in our classes of 295 students. Of that number only 15 come from our home, 280 are from the community. 45 are very poor and pay no tuition. We employ 45 Rwandese citizens and hire new employees from the District thus supporting the economy.
We have seen many changes in our compound and witnessed many changes in the community because we are here. We hope to have a celebration to mark our 10th anniversary in 2 years. Start planning a trip now so that many of you can join us in the celebration. Remember 2016 is the year.
This is a summary of 8 years because you have cared and continue to help us make a difference.
Emotions of a Grateful Mama
What brings tears to my eyes and joy to my heart? It is the simple things that make such a difference for our children. These gifts make my kids happy so I am happy.
Baby Jenny gets a doll.
She is a happy little girl!
Kavine likes a tea set for tea party play!
Little boys like Tonka trucks.
Little cars for little kids.
Fire truck made with Legos - what fun.
Girls like trucks and cars too.
Books and reading - children enjoying all the books that have been given to them.
Worship
Children at Saint Paul’s UMC Sunday School in State College were touched by the children in Rwanda. The children’s time in worship tells of this event. The book GOD'S DREAM by Desmond Tutu was where the idea for the banner came from. The theme is GOD SMILES LIKE A RAINBOW. The colorful rainbow is made by the beautiful handprints of the children and they gifted it to Urukundo.
Kavine holding banner in place.
Our children are making a banner with their hand prints to send to the children in America. It was a delightful Sunday service.
Gifts
Each child received a gift. A Christmas tree ornament in the form of the BIRD OF PEACE was presented to our guests.
On each bird was printed URUKUNDO XMAS 2013.
We became so involved in giving we forgot to take pictures of gifts under the tree. These bags were special. Each of our children received a bag with gifts just for them. We prepared them before the great day arrived as is the custom for Christmas gifts if you are the mum.
This folding reading room was unique as gifts go.
Celebrating our Staff
The second day was a gathering for the staff and their children to let them know how much we appreciate their devotion in cooking, cleaning, teaching, guarding, farming and caring for our children. They also played games had juice and cookies and the children received gifts and the staff a small money gift. This was funded by donations from those who support Urukundo year around.
Hot Potato. When you lose you sit in the middle. It was great fun.
The two finalists. The guy in the red shirt received the prize!
Children of staff in center with our kids.
Christmas Day was for our family and invited guests. We thank Margie and Bruce and their family for providing funds to buy 3 turkey for our meal and for the gifts they brought for the kids. Ice Cream was a special gift from them. The kids had mixed feelings about the ice cream because it was too cold.
Christmas was wonderful but simple and we do thank all who made it possible.
Guests from Denmark. They later sang us a beautiful Christmas carol from their native land.
Maureen and Kyle were part of the celebration.
Joining us were Erica and Thomas from Sweden.
Bruce, Margie and son in law Adam. Claudine in back ground.
Michelle gets a new baby girl, Iris is not so sure she likes that.
Mama & baby girl weary and ready for rest. Brother Isaac looking on.
THE SENIOR KIDS CHOIR sing Joy to the World & other Christmas songs.
The Christmas Story
If you have never watched the Christmas Story with little ones under 6 years you have not lived. It was such a grand performance. The actors were the best. Costumes elaborate, directors award winning,
Their rendition of THE LITTLE DRUMMER BOY was unforgettable. The best part is the kids under the direction of Anitha & Tresor did the whole thing by themselves. I was so pleased. This was an award winning presentation. Wise men wait for their cue.
The door at the Inn where there was no room.
Following the star Mary & Joseph.
The shepherds sing "AWAY IN THE MANGER".
The Wise Men bring gifts.
All sing "ON CHRISTMAS DAY".
Whole cast and directors sang. The Little Drummer Boy, Par rum pa pa pa.
Outstanding. Take it from a pleased mama.
Christmas at Urukundo
Sharing Christmas with the kids from the neighborhood was awesome.
I had the usual qualms. What if nobody comes? I need not have worried. Over 150 kids from the very youngest up to secondary school age arrived. The little ones learned to play HOT POTATO & DROP THE HANDKERCHIEF and the big kids played football, basketball and volley ball.
Cookies and juice were served, lolly pops and a small gift was given to every child under 12. A chocolate was given to the older kids after cookies and juice. Chocolate is a special treat here.
From the youngest to the oldest all had a good time.
Gifts for the children from the community. Not enough so many received a packet of cookies. Next year we will
prepare more.
Happy New Year
Goodbye to 2013. It was a good year.
Hello to 2014 - our hope is that it will be our best year yet.
Mama Arlene
Kindergarten Graduation
Thirty-seven 6 year olds finished Kindergarten Saturday October 26.
TRYING ON CAPS AND GOWNS
Gathering for the march to Hope House for the ceremony.
The March.
I joined the March
Family & friends attend the ceremony.
Next year Hope House will be too small for the ceremony as our children increase and more parents coming to honor their kids.
Students in our school.
Receiving Diploma.
Gasogi Secondary School
Lucie and Dada where part of a special event at Gasogi Secondary School. The school has a Worship Center and the girls were chosen to be leaders in the worship service. Lucie's goal is to be a Pastor some day and so it is fitting that she was chosen as a leader.
Dada has not shared with me what her goals are yet but she is a designated helper in the worship service. It is an honor for both girls to have been chosen by their colleagues.
This is a first step for Lucie.
It was a very colorful event.
I was there and sitting the the honored guest. Awesome.
Great News
It is my pleasure to share with you that Tresor has been nominated by his school to apply for the MASTERCARD FOUNDATION SCHOLARS PROGRAM
Check out the web site.
We are so proud of him and his accomplishments. Please keep him in prayer.
This is an honor he has earned by hard work and courage. Tresor has been #1 in his class all through secondary school.
He is our first graduate in Rwanda and a good example for his brothers and sisters. Way to go Tresor.