February Babies

Having babies and new Mamas were both big news during February!Our baby pigs arrived, 7 at a time.Not to be outdone and ever so much more important.  Juliette, my lovely secretary, gave us a beautiful baby boy in February.

I don’t know how I will get along without her for 6 weeks! That is the mandatory leave time after having a baby. Thank goodness she answers phone calls.

The baby was not due until March so we thought we had time to train someone to work in the office. 

As babies sometimes do, he decided he would come sooner. Juliette came to work not feeling well with discomfort in her lower abdomen. We decided she should go to the Medical Center across the road to be sure she was ok. Being an old hand at having babies, I was pretty sure she was in labor. When she didn’t come back to work it had to be so. Well about 3 hours later Julie sent me a text message I HAVE A BABY BOY.  I was not surprised! Mama and baby are doing just fine and I get to give him his Christian name.  Babies here get three names. I think I will call him Jerry.

February Special News

If hearts sing and love abounds in February, mine is right in tune. Urukundo is so blessed.

We have big news to share! We have a new name for our Dental Initiative.
 
University of Rwanda College of Medicine and Health Sciences, School of Dentistry and Urukundo Dental.

Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)
Document signing, sealed with a handshake.

A delegation of 7 came to Urukundo Village from the University School of Dentistry to take part in the signing ceremony making Urukundo Dental Initiative part of the School of Dentistry.

 

Muhumuza Ibra - Dean, School of Dentistry - University of Rwanda College of Medicine and Health Sciences.

Karl Self - University of Minnesota School of Dentistry and Donna.

Sawsan Salih - Associate to the Dean of the School of Dentistry, Harvard School of Dental Medicine.

Valli Meeks - University of Maryland School of Dentistry.
Valli is from Philadelphia, PA. She is definitely a HOME GIRL for me - same accent!

Valli, Sawsan and Karl are part of the United States faculty working with the Rwanda Human Resources for Health Project.

 

(l-r) Ethel, Mama Arlene, Julienne, Valli
Ethel and Julienne are instructors at the University School of Dentistry.

Summary of the MOU

This is a brief summary of how it will operate.

The school will pay for food and housing only for their students and instructor.  There is no large financial gain for Urukundo from the school but there will be recognition and the connection with the University giving us creditability. We are a fully equipped Dental Clinic in operation. We purchase our own supplies and have our volunteer clinic staff. The University will supply the guidelines to ensure we conform with government regulations. They will also respond to any urgent needs.

We can do our own charging for services. For difficult cases, we can send the client to the Dental Hospital at the University and the cost will not change for our patients. This will give them access to dental services they could otherwise not afford. Also our dental service can now advertise and be open Monday through Saturday noon. This will give us many more clients. Our clients pay a minimum charge for consultation and depending on the service needed the cost will be determined by what the client can afford. Some will be free and others will pay a reasonable cost. We hope in that way to give good service and to pay for needed supplies.

We are operating under the University license. This is an important contribution from the School of Dentistry. There will be 6 to 10 students coming for clinical training each month on a two-week rotation program and an instructor coming with them.

This is a very important step for Urukundo.  It also helps our standing in the district.  It should be very interesting. I am sure there will be changes as we move forward. We are a pilot program for the University. If our relationship is successful the University will expand the program to other areas of Rwanda using Urukundo as the model.

A Celebration

A birthday cake & celebration for Mama! 

It isn’t every day a young woman celebrates her 48^th birthday. (I always did transpose numbers).

Another Celebration

Preview: Uncle's graduation gown for the kids to see. December 12 is graduation.

Two days later. The real thing.  Congratulations Emmy (Uncle).

An event to remember!

Emmanuel is the sixth member of our staff Urukundo has supported with tuition and expense money to attend University and achieve their Bachelors degree. There are three more attending University now with full support. We are so blessed to have donors who find supporting education a good way for charitable giving. Gifts to HMR’s Education Fund for Higher Education are not only a blessing to Urukundo but are  tax deductible. We are a 501(C)3 charity. And what better way to ensure that Urukundo will continue after you are no longer here to send your gift each month, than to make provision in your Will. If you are like me, then you want to know where your assets are going before you go to your reward.

Preparing for our Community and Staff Christmas

Each year Urukundo shares Christmas with the children of our staff and the children in the community. We serve simple juice and a cookie and give a small wrapped gift. The staff usually wraps the small gift. This year we thought it would mean more to our kids if they helped prepare the gifts and plan the party.  Our children in P2 and P3 along with the secondary kids who were home gathered at Mama’s table and wrapped the gifts.  It was great fun and taught the kids about the true meaning of Christmas. “SHARING & GIVING” The giving part is yet to come. Last year over 100 children came from the community. This year we prepared for more and expect about 200 children.

Pictures of the gathering will be in the January Newsletter!

Christmas Trees

Boys' Home tree.

Girls' Home tree.

Mama's Home tree.

A peace lily in honor of the season - a gift to you all.

MERRY CHRISTMAS & HAPPY NEW YEAR

A handmade Christmas

Making your own decorations can be great fun too.

ALL GLORIOUS CREATIONS.

 When you do it yourself the presentation has more meaning.

From this.

To this.

Thanksgiving Greetings

The time goes so fast. I think it has something to do with age. There are never enough days in the week and yet some days are too long.

Urukundo moves along at an amazing rate.  Soon it will be 2015.

Time to think about the month just passed. We do not celebrate Thanksgiving here at Urukundo but we have so much to be thankful for. I do hope all of you who celebrate the day had a great day - enjoyed Macy's Christmas Parade, family, lots of good food and football.

The people I am most thankful for and in a list of their own include:

The members of my family in the USA who continue to love me and support my ministry in Rwanda.

The list here at Urukundo Village begins and there is no end.

1. Sponsors are at the top of the list.

I am so thankful for the faithful sponsors who make this ministry possible. We depend on our sponsors in order for us to care for our children.

2. Our children are in good health.

In a big way this is due to the vitamins they receive every day - thanks to gifts from our generous donors.

3. The rains have been good and our vegetable gardens are producing. Celery has been added to my garden this season. I am delighted that it grows. I’m not quite sure how the stalks develop but I will learn.

4. National exams are over.  Senior 3 and senior 6 students are waiting for grades.

5. Tresor has finished his testing for the Mastercard Scholarship.  Now it is a matter of time until we learn the results.    

6. Benita has a sponsor.

This is just a little of what I have to be thankful for at Urukundo.

Graduation

70 children graduated from Kindergaten at Urukundo Learning Center on October 25, 2014. What a glorious day it was.

All students and parents preparing for the Parade.

The march from the school to the site of the ceremony was awesome

This scene takes place along the road for the neighbors to witness our graduates, students and parents. They made a very long line.

The parade coming in at my gate.

Very serious.

Our guest of honor was GASPARD RUTEGESHA from the board of education in the Cyeza Sector.  He took part by shaking hands and giving each child a certificate.

I felt very short today, my five foot one next to this six foot 7 gentleman. It's a good thing I was sitting down.

He was our honored guest and main speaker.

The president of Urukundo Foundation's Board of Directors Hildebrand Kanzira spoke, encouraging the children and their parents to place much value on education.

Even I added my 2 cents' worth, using the back of a chair for support.

A first at our graduation celebration: the music and art department presented a program for our entertainment. Bono the music teacher traveled from Kigali to be here for this occasion. Bono is from the Kigali School of Music and teaches twice a week at Urukundo Learning Center.

Intore translated means 'an all-boy dance team'. The boys did a great job. Keeping the culture alive for the children is so important.

The girl dancers were not to be outdone and we were delighted.

Diplomas were held high.

I have so many wonderful pictures it was hard to decide which would give you a clear picture of the event in the lives of the children and the program you are making possible by your gifts and donations.

Thank you for helping make a difference.