Events

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Umugunda

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Umugunda is a very important event in Rwanda. Every last Saturday of the month the government has set aside the morning hours for all citizens to work together in their neighborhood to make it look good. We at Urukundo are a part of that and as a team the work is done well and is fun.
This month was special because four of out toddlers became a part of the team. Vincent and Grace supervised them in their work.

The guards pitch in.

Serephine, Belise & Aline clean up trimmings.

The toddlers join in for their first Umugunda day.

Kenny, Kinela, Agid and Claude part of the team.

Vincent, Grace, Agide, Kinela, Claude, Luki, Neli & another Claude.

Piling trimmings Claude in red and Agide in yellow shirt and tan pants

Filling the bag.

Job finished.

Moving to next clean up area. Can you pick out the toddlers and name them?!

 

Flag Ceremony

Cyakabiri School and Urukundo Foundation were presented with the nation's flag to be flown at our school. This is indeed an honor.  The ceremony was held the last day of the term.  Parents, visitors and dignitaries took part in the raising of the Rwandan Flag.

The military were present to do the honors and we were joined by dignitaries from the village, cell, sector and district.  Students sang one verse of the National Anthem and the guests helped sing the other verses.
The children worked very hard to memorize the words to the Anthem.
Our teachers were shown recognition.  The only thing that made us sad was that Jan Brown, the inspiration and coordinator for the school, could not be with us.

Celebration - It Needs a Party!

Cake and Fanta for all.  Hey, I am shouting the good news!   URUKUNDO HOME FOR CHILDREN IS FIVE YEARS OLD!

Five years ago on May 1, 2006 Urukundo opened it doors and its heart to children needing love and protection, food, education and a better chance for a brighter future. 
 
This year is our fifth year serving the children of Rwanda. Urukundo is alive and doing well. With God in charge and with God's speed we have moved forward faster than I ever envisioned. We have reached so many of our goals and the big one was education for orphans and the very poor. The school for small children at Urukundo started with the solid approval of the District and the Ministry of Education on May 10th 2011.
Cyakabiri School is truly Hope Made Real.
 
There are so many reasons to celebrate this fifth year.   The water project for safe, clean water for the community is well underway, expecting to be completed in mid-July.
The line of succession has been established. Urukundo is built on a firm foundation will continue long after the founder has moved on to rest. All in this first month of the next five years.
Now we need financial help from our friends to be able to pay salaries for the teachers and put electricity into the water project. Any ideas of how to make others aware of this need would be appreciated. I had hoped the educators in our newsletter list would come to the rescue but that has not happened yet.   We need funds.
I don't know how I became a farmer! Now I have cows, sheep, chickens, rabbits, goats and dogs. Muhanga District has given us a cow and in June we will receive 3 more. That is real recognition for Urukundo Foundation and our Ministry from the Rwandan government.  It's also a blessing for our kids - milk is so important.  We will need to build a barn (lean-to shed) to protect them.
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May Birthday Party

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The Nursery (Mama Cindy's Cottage) is such a blessing.  So much activity takes place there.

The month of May found three of our babies having a birthday - LUKI, SARAH and PRINCE.

The special event, the birthday party, now takes place each month in the nursery where things are just their size.  It begins with a Baby Einstein dvd (thanks to Rhegan from Arizona) on my 15 inch laptop, then cake with a candle to blow, singing and juice and gifts. Sarah received a box from her sponsor. Luki has a new kite to share from Louise in the UK. A box of trucks, cars, a big red fire truck and large yellow bus came for all to share from Ken Lake in California.   It was a HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

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Greetings from Mama Arlene in Rwanda for April 2011 - Part Two

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The Second Half of a Wonderful Month at Urukundo Village

The Vice Mayor of Family Development and Gender and her assistant paid a visit to Urukundo Village.  They met the kids and heard them sing.

She encouraged the kids to work hard in school and to have a goal in life. She visited the school project and toured the Village.  We were honored by her presence.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Greetings from Mama Arlene in Rwanda for April 2011

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A month with mixed emotions. This year marked the 17th anniversary of the devastation caused by genocide. There are those who say it never happened. Rwandans know the truth and suffer loss because it did happen. The message for the people of Rwanda this year was Remember, Know the truth, Respect yourself and your neighbor.  Rwanda weeps and in their hearts they pray to God and speak to the world saying, "NEVER AGAIN" 
This April also is the time of remembrance in the Christian faith. There is a difference because as the time of Lent concludes there is a Celebration and great joy. The Lord has risen.  Respecting the heartache and sadness of Rwanda and proclaiming the great joy of  a risen Christ becomes a challenge for those of us who love Rwanda and spread the Good News of Christ. I am sure there is a sermon in there.  It is good to remember and it is also good to move forward at the same time.

Women's Day at Urukundo

We celebrated Woman's Day at Urukundo. Our Mamas and girls felt very special. 
The zebra is now in the kitchen in the new dwelling place.
Refreshments were served. Fanta, little fishes, salt crackers and fruit.

We had a drawing and the holder of the winning ticket was given a pair of sandals. Of course the sandals where women's size and Belise got the winning ticket. Bless her sweet heart she gave the sandals to Betty the Auntie who takes care her and the little girls. But do not despair - the next day we bought her a pair of sandals that were just her size!

On March 24th we connected with St Joseph's Catholic School in Pittsburgh, Pa. Our kids gathered around and with Skype we were able to see each other and have conversation. It was neat for our kids to learn that even in America, uniforms are worn and the kids play Foot Ball (Soccer). We learned both groups study Science, Math, History, English. We study Kinyarwanda, our mother tongue, and English as a second language.  We hope to connect again while the Secondary kids are home.
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Greetings from Mama Arlene in Rwanda for December 2010

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Greetings!
December has come and gone and what a month it was. 2010 is on its way out. We look forward to greeting the NEW YEAR,  2011. I had a birthday. Usually we have cake and juice for birthdays on the last Saturday in the month but this month the children and I celebrated our December birthdays together the first Saturday  to allow time the end of the month for Christmas and New Years' celebrations.
The children made many cards. These are on the wall in my reception room for all to see and enjoy. The art work of the children is beautiful.

The children made many works of art and gave me a bouquet of flowers.

The cake and juice were very good.

There is no way I can express my appreciation to all who made my 80th birthday special. 

Christmas at Urukundo

Nativity in the Worship Center.

The Kids' Program : Joseph, Mary and the Angel

The Precious Gems choir singing 'Jesus is Born'.

After the Christmas worship service the children gathered around the traditional Christmas tree (yes even in Rwanda!) and received a gift special for them.

Staff and visitors received gifts from the kids and there was Sumbosa and Fanta for all!
It was a wonderful day. We celebrated the birth of the Christ Child. We celebrated his love for us and the love we share for each other.
We also thanked God for all of you who make it possible for this ministry to continue. God Bless you all.