Secondary school - left to right.
Divine, Abis, Lucie, Mama, big brother Etienne and Gisele. A day to remember.
Lucie and her classmate.
Gisele and Divine marched in together - or rather they danced in together!
It was a very impressive ceremony!
A Gift for the President
The art work is pictures done by the Urukundo Kids, The design is a gift from Pastor Sharon, and the quilt pattern of hearts and hands was done by Pastor Sharon’s friend.
The quilt was accepted for the President by his secretary Irene. President Kagame was meeting with President Obama at the same time I was meeting with Irene. Both high-powered meetings you will have to agree. After the presentation of the quilt, Irene invited me to tell her about Urukundo now and our goals for the future. I was even able to tell her my hopes and plans for the rest of the mountain. She was a most gracious hostess.
Three Choirs and a Trio
All three singing groups are Urukundo Kids. This event only happens during school breaks. It's a concert of the best kind. Soso is dressed for Alaska I think!
Precious Gems - 5 & under
Urukundo Kids 6 & up
Urukundo Teens Choir made up of secondary kids home for the holiday.
Trio: Tresor, Divine, Anitha. With accompanist Lennart Westmark from Germany
The music was spectacular.
Last Day of School for this Term
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.
