Special Mention

Thank you goes out to this group of woman from St Pauls, State College. When they heard about our sewing center, a part of our adult education program, they went all out and collected and sent so many wonderful supplies. Our women are so grateful. We do have two men involved in the sewing center. That is great.

In time it will be a source of income for many families.

Sewing Center Update

We were thrilled to see the sewing center open and beginning operation. Five treadle sewing machines were purchased by donors in State College and at St. Paul's United Methodist Church. They were set up and being used when we arrived.

Aprons for the kitchen staff, uniforms for the farmers, dresses for the primary school dedication, skirts and shoulder bags. It was fully operational but needed the many supplies we were bringing. Two huge suitcases full.

Therese the sewing instructor and I are meeting for the first time. She was smiling as she received the many gifts of sewing supplies.

Women and men will come daily to sew as well as learn to sew. Orders are coming in, so many hands are needed.

Deogratios Mugisha

Urukundo was blessed, thanks to the Ingoboka Fund, to be able to give the help needed when a little four year old boy, Deogratios Mugisha, accidentally fell into boiling water and was scalded over the left side of his  body. Remember cooking is done in the home of our families with charcoal pots sitting on the floor. The little boy is a student at our preschool and so when this happened his parents brought him to us.

The guards knocked on the window at our house saying there was a problem and asked for help. The parents were at the gate with their child. The guard said the boy was burned.  How, he was not sure. We went directly to the clinic where I thought I had medicine used for burns. There was very little. The parents brought the boy in. He was in shock and  just looked at me with scared eyes.  Cold water would have been best treatment at the point when the scalding took place, but water is not available. After getting the hot clothes off and calming him down, his mother dressed him again covering all his skin to bring him to us. "Not the best idea."  No burns were visible until he was undressed. Water blisters were extensive and many were broken exposing raw scalded pink skin. His clothes kept him warm but did damage to his little body.

Much of the skin was pulled away because of the clothes.

I had medicated wrap used by fireman to protect the burn area until transport to a hospital takes place. Removing the clothes carefully we gently placed the protective medicated wrap over the burned area,  called our driver to come and transport the boy and his parents to the hospital. We are also blessed to have a vehicle always available.  

We did what we could but now I know we need burn medicine for early first aid treatment. 

We are able to give the parents financial help to have him treated and admitted at the local hospital. Financially we will continue caring for this little one while he is in the hospital. I am so grateful to have the Ingaboka Fund available. IT IS NOW DEPLETED. More and more we are blessed because others care and lend a helping hand.

Please pray for the child. Secondary infections are the real danger in this kind of burn. Thanks to all who gave a gift for emergency treatment.

Help Make Joy : Guest Post by Carol Falke, State College, PA

Sunday School children, book clubs, alternative Christmas, preschool global giving projects. What do they have in common? Marc, 11yrs old, says it best, "I got to help make joy for the people of Rwanda. We gave money for a pig and desks. It was really cool."
The end of 2012 brought many joys and examples of giving that I knew God was smiling and blessing all the hands and feet serving. One little boy gave at Sunday School to purchase a pig for the farm and said it was “Special. Heart soaking.” Barb said with a smile, “For the past several years, I've given a donation as an alternative to purchasing a Christmas gift for my parents. This year I chose to honor them by giving a gift of desks and chairs to the new primary school. My parents were so touched! They have always valued education, and this seemed like the perfect way to show our love for and support of the children of Rwanda.”

Two women’s book clubs were inspired to give towards desks, bookshelves and books. Gail shared, “Learning and loving to read is one of the most wonderful gifts given to us all. It opens the world around us. We chose having bookshelves for your classroom to enable you to fill the world around you with books, books and more books!” And Darlene’s book club said, “All children deserve the chance to receive an education. It is the building block for a nation.”

A partnership was formed a year ago with a preschool. Classes at each school in Rwanda and the US are learning what is the same and what is different. They are learning about each other’s countries and to appreciate their culture. This school selected Urukundo as their Global Giving Project for 2012. Almost $400 was raised for desks, bookshelves and teacher materials.

So for 2013, be creative, think BIG and connect people, schools, organizations to the Urukundo Children’s Home and Learning Center. They will fall in love with the children, understand how something small can mean something big in Rwanda and KNOW they are truly making a difference. Share the stories of Urukundo with others to give them the opportunity to Help Make Joy all year long!!!

Development at the School

Clearing and leveling has started for construction of the next two classrooms. We are working to make this Hope Real by January 2014.

These classrooms will be for Primary 2 (second Grade) It is our hope to add two classrooms each year as our children move on until our goal of a complete school system is reached. 

YOUR HELP IS NEEDED.

Memorial Stone Added to the Path of Learning

In Memory and With Love

Elma was one of the very first to take this mission to heart.

She was an amazing gift giver. You see she decided to handle her estate while she yet lived.

I received word of her gift and assumed she had gone to her reward so sent my condolences to her son Larry.

His reply surprised me: 'My mother is still with us. It was her wish to give her gift while she could see the benefits it gave.'

In 2011 at age 95 Elma went to her rest. She indeed had a loving heart and we celebrate her life.

Feed the Children

The nutrition program at Cyakabiri Preschool morning class is a good one. Sponsors are needed for this program. FEED THE CHILDREN

Bread and Sorghum for an empty stomach.

One egg a week. Doesn't sound like much but makes a big difference here.

Stones for January

Eight new stones were added in January. There is always room for more. Education, what a blessing. The gift that keeps on giving.

Primary School Update

Today was a red letter day. The furniture for the PRIMARY SCHOOL was delivered.

50 desks 50 chairs, 2 teacher's desks with drawers, 2 adult chairs, 2 assistant teachers tables, 2 assistants chairs, 2 book cases and 2 cabinets with locks. Our boys helped unload the truck. Every child will have a desk and chair. This is a blessing.

It's not too Late to Fund an Education Sponsorship

Sending kids to school who would otherwise have little chance of receiving an education is a worthwhile project.
Just a reminder that it's not too late for the 2013 school year, which starts soon. Your gift of $15 supplies one child with a uniform, shoes, exercise books, pens, a sweater and a back pack. Where could you find a better bargain? It will do your heart good knowing you are making a difference in the life of a child and these children are so grateful. 

I hope many of you will consider funding an education sponsorship.

A Birthday Wish

Last year for my 81st Birthday in December I requested Legos for the kids at Urukundo Village and the Cyakabiri Preschool and the response was wonderful.

For my 82nd birthday I am asking my family and friends to consider a monetary gift to help finish construction on the 3 classrooms at the yet unnamed Primary School.  The amount does not have to be great just a gift from the heart.

The gift can be sent to

HOPE MADE REAL
PO BOX 3222
WILLIAMSPORT, PA 17701

In memo line:  "school construction".

Thank You.

Greetings from Mama Arlene and the Urukundo Family for September 2012

Hello from Urukundo.

September has come and gone. I do miss the changing of the fall season in Pennsylvania. The foliage is so beautiful especially in Williamsport, Jersey Shore and the Lock Haven areas. Many times I drove up the Snow Shoe Mountains to visit my mother in Clearfield County and the colors near took my breath away.  The air is invigorating. No longer summer but not yet the cold of winter. A great time but short-lived. Reminiscing is a pleasure when the climate here stays constant summer. What differentiates the seasons here is rain or no rain. We are in the rainy time now and so are planting every inch of ground. With the freezer our friends from Canada bought for us, we hope to be able to freeze enough vegetables to carry us through the months of no gardens. This will cut down on the cost of fresh food. 

IT'S THE TIME

For all of you who support this project I am eternally grateful.

Sending kids to school who otherwise would have little chance of education is a worthwhile project.

Your gift of $15 supplies one child with a uniform, shoes, exercise books, pens, a sweater and a back pack. Where could you find a better bargain? It will do your heart good knowing you are making a difference in the life of a child and these children are so grateful. Every child should be able to read and write and reach their potential.

I hope many of you will consider these children when you make out your Christmas list.