Fundraising

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Reminder

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This is the time of giving from the heart. The gift of education is a gift that is not opened and then returned or put on a shelf to be forgotten.
Education is a never ending gift and so vital in the lives of children.  If every person who reads this message put a small check in the mail to 
HOPE MADE REAL
PO BOX 3222
WILLIAMSPORT
PA 17701
Imagine the impact that would make in the lives of our children at Urukundo and the children in this Rwandan community.
Your gifts have made this project a Hope Made Real for so many children.  Give from your heart with love.

A note for those who are new

and for those who may need a reminder of who we are and why we are in Rwanda.

Urukundo Foundation is a 'Not for Profit' association serving the vulnerable children in Cyeza Sector, Muhanga District, South Province, Rwanda, Africa.

The need for affordable education for orphans, abandoned and very poor children in Rwanda is critical. Urukundo Foundation and Urukundo Learning Center under the Umbrella of Hope Made Real & Spiritworks Inc. in the United States is building such a school  system.

These are just a few of the children you are helping to go to primary school.

For your consideration and supporting love:

Having established Urukundo Learning Center we now have even greater outreach to the children in the community and the country.  Urukundo Learning Center includes Phase #1 of the Cyakabiri Preschool Project.  This has 3 completed classrooms and presently serves 150 children with a staff of 6 plus a crossing guard, a night guard and a maintenance man.

Phase #2 primary grades 1 and 2, each with two classrooms, is completed and 94 students will be attending classes in 2014.  In addition we have 2 rooms for library, music and art. The primary school at present has three teachers and a security man at night. We need to employ 3 more teachers for year 2014.

The project at present is to construct and equip 8 more primary classrooms. In time this school will include all 6 elementary grades with 2 rooms for each grade. 

Your help is needed.  Urukundo owns the land free and clear needed for this project. Your gift will be used to help construct and equip the necessary classrooms. We believe every child should be given the opportunity to learn to read and write and reach his or her potential. Each child is unique. Our purpose is to provide educational opportunities for children in need and equip them with moral values to become independent, productive citizens. 

Would you consider giving a gift for education? A gift that will change the life of many children and the future of a country. This is a far-reaching gift, a gift that has no end. It will keep on giving. 

Gifts for Urukundo Home for Children and the children of the community can be sent to:

HOPE MADE REAL PO Box 3222, Williamsport PA 17701

SPIRITWORKS INC 301 Overdale Road, Pittsburgh PA 15221

SAINT JOHNS/NEWBERRY 2101 Newberry Street, Williamsport PA 17701

All are 501(c)(3) non-profits and donations are tax deductible in the US. 

Thank you on behalf of all the kids at Urukundo Home and Learning Center for your consideration.

Arlene D Brown

Founder Hope Made Real

Director Urukundo Foundation

Urukundo Learning Center

Muhanga, Rwanda

Africa

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Upcoming Event

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It is our hope The Love Day Care Center will open officially in October.
We are excited to be offering a safe place for small children who are not old enough to be in school and parents need to go to a job to have a safe place to be cared for. Having a nursery already equipped with cribs and a play room for small children and an outside play area is to our advantage. We will have to hire mamas to care for these children.
We are also offering lunch in our dining room for children who are in our Primary School and cannot go home for lunch because of distance. This is beneficial for the community and for Urukundo Foundation. These are opportunities for Urukundo to be more self sufficient.
We will update you on this opening next month.
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Education for the Many

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Just a reminder.  It is time to think about this important yearly event!

For those who are new, a $15 gift supplies a uniform, back pack, shoes, exercise books, pencils and jacket for a child in need of education but without any financial means to pay for it. This gift must arrive at Hope Made Real, PO Box 3222, Williamsport, Pa before December 15. A very thoughtful Christmas gift for a needy child.

We are able to give children the opportunity to attend school because you care.  We have opened Urukundo Learning Center and many of the children from the community are students there with full tuition paid by the gift you send. This is in addition to the children we continue to support in Primary School. This project is ongoing and each year you respond.

Thank you for your support.

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Progress on School Project

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We are negotiating with a builder for desks and chairs. The desks open.
Each set costs 21,000 rwf. Don't panic. That is about $32 USD for a desk and a chair. 50 students will move to second grade.
Pictured below is what you will be giving to the first class and future classes with your gift.
Cement under overhang completed. 
The first coat of rust-proof paint on windows, doors and gutter is finished. Blue paint to follow.
The window glass goes in next.
Funding is needed. Appriciate your help.
This is the site of our next building project, we hope.
It will be a two story building saving land and will house grades 3 & 4. This land is for sale. We need it, and we need partners.
A donation to Hope Made Real reduces your income tax as we are a 501(c)3 organization.
Think about it. What better way to spend your hard earned money?
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Path to Learning

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Two new stones on the Path to Learning.
John & Sally have visited Urukundo Village. Sally, a nurse, came in 2006 with a small team and returned in 2008 with John.
John is construction wise and taught mama about laying a plumb line and helped build the foundation for the boys' house.
The stone was a gift from their son Mike and his family.
Pittsburgh, Pa has its own stone. Thanks to a gift giver name unknown. 
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Greetings from Urukundo Village and Learning Center - June 2013

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It was such a blessing for me to be able to attend Solange's graduation from Rowe High  School in McAllen Texas. Solange has been amazing. She was able to complete 3 years of credits for High School in one year. This was done through hard work, dedication and a strong desire to succeed.
CONGRATULATIONS SOLANGE!
During my time in Pittsburgh I met with the art students of Propel High school. They have partnered with our kids and other high schools in PA. The project is HEARTS FOR RWANDA.
The project raised over $1200 to help with education in Urukundo Learning Center.
These are just a few of the kids who took part in the project.
Inside Propel High School
Students partner with students at Urukundo Learning Center.  I was honored to see Rwanda's Flag displayed  on the school wall.
The project consisted of the art students accepted art mats from the children of Urukundo added their ideas, mounted the art and added pictures of the Rwanda student and the Propel student. These were for sale. 
T-shirts were designed, printed and sold.  
HEARTS FOR RWANDA is a project founded and supported by SPIRIT WORKS YOGA CENTER in Pittsburgh.
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May Greetings

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Hello Friends and Family from the USA and Urukundo.
The month of May in the USA has been very cold but the spring flowers have been spectacular. I am freezing. I'm delighted to report I have been given a clean bill of health and am ready to return home to Urukundo and get back to work. The report from Urukundo is very positive. Our staff is doing a excellent job while I am away. This comment from Helen Kweskin and her team of students :

"Please know how truly grateful I feel for all the love, support, and logistical thoughtfulness that allowed us to have such a rich experience at such a very special place. "

Thank you Helen! 

Next month will be back to business as usual since I'll be returning June 12 to my kids. In the meantime, thank you to Carol Falke and Sarah Ketchley for their participation in getting this newsletter to you.

The month of May we will share with you the projects involved in Education at Urukundo Learning Center.

Funding for constructing the second grade class rooms is still the priority project for the present. Looking for partners in education to make it a success. Building each set of classrooms, one at a time, is very difficult and more expensive.  If it were possible to contract for the whole project it would be more economical.  Until that financial support comes we will continue one year at a time.  I know with God all things are possible.

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April Greetings from Rwanda and the US

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Hello from both sides of the world.

The April and May newsletters will be unique. I bring you greetings from Sarah our media person in Seattle, Mama in Pennsylvania, the kids at Urukundo Village and Carol Falke in both Urukindo & the US.
I departed Rwanda and Urukundo on April 1. There were mixed feelings as I hugged and kissed and waved bye to all the kids.
The teens had just come home on holiday from secondary school and I had little time to spend with them. We really look forward to holidays.  This one was only for 3 weeks. Knowing Carol Falke from State College would be there for 12 days after I left  made it a little easier for me. 
David, our 4 year old, told me before I left he would watch my bed and not let anyone sleep in it. He was so sincere. At the last minute Johnny picked me a flower from our garden and gave it to me to take with me. Johnny brings me a flower from the yard every day when I am home. 
I left Urukundo Village on a threefold journey. Some of you know I had a vein problem a year and a half ago and it was time to have it checked. The report is excellent. The problem is no more.
The second reason was a joy. My very first grandson Christian was being married to Sara, a wonderful young woman, and I wanted so much to be there.  The weather was perfect and the bride and groom were beautiful. Yep, as Gram of the groom I can say he was beautiful. The photographer even made me look special. Georgia is a beautiful state.
Mama and brother of the groom as escort.
Sara and Christian.
Mother Patricia and Dad Dale.  I am a very happy Grandmother.
The third part of my journey is to find funding to build more classrooms for the Urukundo Learning Center.
I am hoping many of you will take part in this project to provide Education for children who want and deserve an opportunity to learn and succeed in life. Providing that opportunity is the goal of  Urukundo Foundation and its friends and families.