Events

Greetings from Mama Arlene in Rwanda for February 2010

The news for February from Urukundo is exciting. Grades are out and our kids were all promoted.

Our 'oldest kid' finished Senior High. This graduation is very special.

John Kayitare, Papa John to the kids and my Executive Administrator, at the age of 35 has graduated from Senior 6 (12th grade in America). Yes, after being out of school for 15 years, John opted to finish Secondary School in order to better serve Urukundo Foundation and to provide a brighter future for himself and his family. He had to start in Senior 5, but he completed two years of school in twelve months whilst doing his best to serve Urukundo at the same time. Not an easy task. This took a lot of courage and dedication on his part.

John finished his National exams graduating with distinction. Quite an accomplishment for an "old man".
john 1
Quite honestly, the kids announced upon hearing the news, "we didn't think he could do it!" But he did, "praise God."

Thanks especially to Carrie Schwartz from Piney Flats, TN, who believed in John and wanted to help Urukundo. Carrie provided the funds while Urukundo provided the time necessary. There have been many times when school and Urukundo clashed. Times when both John and I wondered if we had made the right decision. God in Charge.

When John came to volunteer at Urukundo, he had no job and his family were in bad living conditions. He could not provide for them. His faith was strong and he felt called to be a part of this Ministry. So in January 2007, John and his family became a part of our Urukundo family. Much of our success here is because of his hard work. I am grateful that God placed him in our lives just when the need was greatest.

Congratulations John.

Christmas Day

1christmasday
Mama
Each of the children received a t-shirt, song book and bible.
2christmasday
Kinyarwanda bibles and song books Lilliane and Salonge asked for English bibles and received them.
Becky assisted mama in giving gifts.
3christmasday
Lilliane, Florentine and Deborah Presented a cultural dance.
4christmasday
The boys did their part - Tresor, Emmanuel, Abis.
5christmasday
First and foremost we thank God for his son Jesus whose birthday we celebrate.

It was a day of joy and celebration. The program put on by the children was special and all our visitors were welcomed.
Visitors Tom and Pastor Sharon presented the children with a DVD player, Miceala gave them a basket ball, Karen and Becky brought lollipops with gum inside and Talia from Bloomsburg sent chocolate bells for all the kids. Chocolate is a special treat here. Thank you Talia.
Staff received song books for worship and a gift of Amafranga (money).
John gave us a goat from his farm and so there was meat for dinner and the cooks outdid themselves with a fresh fruit mix (fruit cocktail in America), fresh peas and carrots and a cucumber and onion salad all from our garden. It was wonderful. We praised God for our bounty and for each other.

Unexpected Celebration

Pastor Leonard, the new pastor, and the 4 cell leaders from the sector of Mpushi Presbyterian Church paid honor to Urukundo for gifts given to the community.
The group came to the village and presented us with a beautiful black female (ewe) sheep from the church and green bananas from the farming community. The children from the area who we are helping send to school and poor families who received clothes sent us a gift of fanta.

Unexpected celebration 1

Bananas

Celebration 3

Celebration and Certificate