General

Greetings from Mama Arlene and the Urukundo Family for July 2012

Hello again from Urukundo Village and Learning Center.
Where does the time go? I have found the older you get the faster time flies. I have watched the little girls who came to Urukundo Home for Children in 2006 become young women and the little boys are now young men. They were aged 10 to 13 when they came to Urukundo and they are now 16 to 19. All are taller than me and indeed more beautiful. 
I am well and except for minor scrapes and bruises the children are also fine. Even our nursery has a new look - very few babies. There are only 2 babies, 1 toddler and 13 preschoolers. These 13 were infants when we received them. Now they go to school, which you have helped us establish. Yes, time is flying. 
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Surprise and Joy

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 It is easy to see yet hard to put into words when hope becomes a reality.
I sat in worship holding Claudine, our special child. Claudine is nearly blind and is 6 years old. My reading glasses hung in the front of my blouse. To my amazement I watched as Claudine took one lens of the glasses and put it to her eye. She reached out and took the glasses from me and put them on her little face. Holding the glasses with both hands against her head she began to giggle and jumped from my lap looking in all directions running to and fro swinging her head from side to side looking at every thing with her new eyes. Worship stopped as every eye watched this little girl discover a new world.
Claudine now has her own glasses.  Thank you Ingoboka fund.
Praise God. Hope Made Real.
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Greetings from Mama Arlene and the Urukundo Family for June 2012

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June has been an exciting month for me and for Urukundo Village. 
Pink eye hit the secondary schools and two of our kids were home for treatment. Then John Paul dislocated his shoulder playing soccer and also returned home for treatment. Otherwise we are all in good health. 
We have been blessed with volunteers from many countries. They worked in every facet of Urukundo. The young people who came were from 8 different countries. 
Our very first mama has graduated from University. She is the fourth University graduate sponsored by Urukundo. Juliette was the first full time mama when we started our home for girls in Kiibirigi in 2006.  
The Governor of South Province paid us a visit and a delegation from the Provisional Government in the capital, Kigali, came to view the water project. A delegation from the Local Muhanga Government came to carry out the yearly evaluation and finally the Ambassador from the United States paid us a visit. Cramming all that into just four weeks made it a very interesting and busy month. 
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Greetings from Mama Arlene and the Urukundo Kids for May 2012

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Hello from Urukundo village, Mama and the kids.

It is difficult to decide what to put in the newsletter as so much is happening here. I do appreciate hearing from those who read my letter to family and friends. Comments are welcome: arlene@hopemadereal.org 

Most current & priority news

This beautiful little boy was taken to King Faisal Hospital, which is a private institution, the best in Rwanda and not covered by Mutual Insurance. His little body was full of fluid. He needed consultation and treatment and stayed in hospital for 10 days.

Thanks to the Ingoboka Fund for Emergencies, the money for the unexpected hospital visit and treatment was available and we were able to get the help needed .  He is home now and on the way to complete recovery. Thank you.

Please keep him and all our children in prayer.

His name is Claude and he is 5 years old . When he was well:

Thank you for caring and responding before the need arose.  The Lord bless you.

Mama Arlene

Greetings from Mama Arlene and the Urukundo Family for April 2012

Greetings from Urukundo Foundation and Urukundo Learning Center. We continue to grow into a brighter future through education and love.
Remember to purchase your stone on the path to learning. Education is that path.
April 1st came and went with no one playing a joke on me. Guess it really is a US tradition.  The three weeks with all our kids home was a very busy time. Seventeen High School kids keep us busy and 12 toddlers and 3 babies kept them busy. It is nice to have so much help - and the kids do help.
Washing hands before and after meals is routine.
Claude and Johnny washing while Becca and Agide wait their turn.
Laundry is on going and a big part of the work day.
Our rain harvest tanks are a blessing. This tank outside the boys' house provides a lot of water. It cannot be used for drinking or cooking  but it can be used for clothes and flushing. This cuts down on our water costs as laundry for 43 kids and staff takes a lot of water.

The kids also cook. Chapati Saturday is a pleasure but peeling potatoes, green bananas, avocados, carrots, snapping beans and preparing other vegetables is just plain hard work. The peelings are kept and served to the animals. Nothing goes to waste.
 
Serving food in the dining room to kids and visitors who choose to eat with us is a delight and considered an honor. You have to be older to have this opportunity. Our visitors and kids help serve food for the little ones at meal time.
 
So you see being an older brother or sister in a big family is no easy task.
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Greetings from Mama Arlene in Rwanda for March 2012

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Hello from Urukundo Village, Mama & the Kids.
After returning from a holiday time with family in the US things are back to normal at Urukundo village.  The boys, Claude, Emmanuel and Luki wanted a picture with me and it did not turn out too bad so I am sending it on to all of you.
I do not do pictures well but the new hair do helps, and it does make life easier.

 

A VERY SICK LITTLE BABY 8 days ago

Ready to come home.  

We are thankful for her recovery and return home. Her lovely pink blanket was a gift from Lisa Carter in North Carolina, USA.

MORE NEWS FROM THE NURSERY
The kids love crawling through the tunnel and hiding in the tent.

Fun toys arrived for  the play area.  Would really like a sturdier set for outdoors. This one is great for the younger set.

Nancy teaching with shapes and sizes

Rocking chair is still a favorite for myself and Nancy Ohrig. our resident Nurse.
The day I have been anticipating has finally arrived. News hit the nursery that mama had candy and I am not sure who the rin leader was.  Maybe SOSO (his legs are short but he can travel)! They traveled en masse down the yard, past the kitchen and arrived in my bedroom looking for the candy. 
They were happy kids as you can see but the babies staying in the nursery is now a thing of the past. They are so beautiful.
The mamas were close behind and they also got candy. I am so grateful we were able to buy the problem house and close the alley so the children are safe to come to mama's house.

 

 

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Greetings from Mama Arlene in Rwanda for February 2012

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February the traditional month for sharing love, and it has been such a month for Urukundo Foundation.

The month has been filled with outreach ministry to the community, schools and other NGOs.  I also received my share of love when my youngest son, Jerry came to visit and share the work at Urukundo Village.
It was the perfect valentine's gift for me, and my yard is most beautiful because of the work he did.
Notice the heart - my reminder of his visit and his love for all Urukundo kids and me.
Not an easy job but worth the labor.
Tools of the trade, no mulch, just beautiful work well done.

Jerry was a big hit with all the kids, especially the little ones. They ask where is Jorry?
Emmanuel and Agide with Jerry.
Sarah and Jerry.
Claude was Jerry's shadow.  The two 'Mr Fix-Its'! 
Jerry returned to the US February 17th.  Needless to say, the kids were not happy.

Going to the US

The month of February was eventful for our sister Salonge. Urukundo was successful in applying for a Visa to study in the US and Salonge  and her sponsor Rev. Sharon Landis departed for Texas where Salonge will continue her education.
Our prayers go with her as she embarks on this new journey.  Salonge is missed here and much loved.

 

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February Love Month

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OUT REACH TO THE COMMUNITY

A Dental Clinic was held, supported by the love of Urukundo Foundation.  Doctor Richard Reckmeyer DDS, MBA of RURAL RWANDA DENTAL from Peoria, Arizona is a long time friend of Urukundo Kids and Mama Brown.  He came to Gitarama armed with tooth brushes and a story to tell about teeth and how good oral health means a healther body. Doctor Rick, along with a trainee, spoke and taught at Urukundo Village and 5 schools in the Muhanga District. We thank the District for working with Urukundo Foundation to make this possible.
First Dr. Rick worshipped with the Urukundo family.
Dental team : Misty, Deb, Doctor Rick & Denis.
Dental technician Deb at worship with the kids.
They then took a tour of Urukundo Village ending on top of the mountain where the boys had a great time fixing Rick's hair.
The top of the mountain.
The hard part for Misty - saying goodbye to Claude.
Love is plentiful at Urukundo Village.
 
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Greetings from Mama Arlene in Rwanda for January 2012

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Hello from Urukundo Village.
What a blessing it is to be home to warm weather. I love Pennsylvania but winter is not the time to visit there. Snow is beautiful from inside the house. Sunshine and warm is better. 
Yes, I am home with the children and what a joyful reunion it was. There were flowers everywhere. Hugs and tears from the older kids and staff and many knee hugs from the toddlers. I keep wanting to call them babies but truly they are toddlers. Even Soso has moved out of the baby category. His little legs let him travel fast.
After greetings the Kids gathered around me in my living room and sang "OUR GOD IS AN AWESOME GOD" They prayed and thanked God for bringing me home to be with them.
A bouquet of flowers was handed to me.  These flowers grow on our land.
My bed room and Office door decoration.
The perfect Birthday present for my 81st birthday may sound a little strange, but for me it was such a pleasure when those who honored my birthday each came or sent a gift of Legos. This gift will be appreciated at Urukundo Village and at the Urukundo Learning center for years to come.
A special thanks to all who were a part of this wonderful celebration.
The Legos were moved from their wonderful containers into Zip Lock bags to make transporting easier. I thank my daughter Patricia for hosting the birthday party and for gathering and zip locking the Legos. Even after bagging, 2 large suitcases were needed to bring my treasures home.
Mama the teacher.
Checking the little book for directions. It takes a kid to deal with this. Adults find them interesting and difficult, including me. But we work it out. The Legos are a great learning tool dealing with colors, sizes, combinations and following picture directions. Every Mom, Dad and child should work on the project together. Both will learn patience.

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Urukundo Five Year Report

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2006 - 2011

Urukundo Children's Village as of this date has 46 orphans and abandoned children.

18 of our children are in secondary School. 12 are in Primary School.

11 of our children are in Preschool.

5 are in our Nursery (Safe Haven).

6 former young staff members in University. (Designated funds).

First graduate  We are very proud of Diane.

We are giving employment to 34 local citizens.  All employees are covered by medical insurance upon providing proof they have covered their own children with medical coverage from a local hospital.

Urukundo Foundation provides 329 children of very poor families with supplies required in order for them to attend primary school.

Urukundo Foundation cares for 2 families with teen head-of-households with a total of 14 children (several missing when photo taken).

At the same time we need to develop the general infrastructure and create sustainable long-term business.

We can be the first orphanage/NGO ever reaching self-sufficiency and economic independency.

It is an incredible task and challenge.

WHAT HAS BEEN DONE

2006. Rented first Urukundo Home for Girls with 15 girls. Today's total is now 21.

2006: Rented first house for guests. Some little income.

2006: purchased four wheel drive vehicle (directors funds).

2007: Rented first Urukundo Home for Boys with 7 boys. Today's total is 24.

2007: First purchase of land to start chicken industry and safe area for kids to play outside of town.

First Chicken House

Deed of first ownership

2007 through 2011: Purchased, registered and paid for 14 joining small properties using (missionary gifts and Arlene's SS income) to establish Urukundo Village.

Claiming the top of the mountain.

2008:  Built a Home for Boys, a soccer field and a basket ball court. 

 

2008: Built a Home for Girls.  (Director's personal funds)

2008-2009: Constructed buildings for kitchen, offices, and storage.


2009: Built Multipurpose House. This house includes a Library, classrooms, meeting room, worship center, celebration house and dorm for teams with more than 4 people.

2009: constructed a shed for the 1 cow and 1 calf.

2009: Purchased another cow and her calf.  (Designated Money from People to People).  Milk for babies and HIV kids.

2009: purchased home for Guesthouse on adjourning property, resident for director, clinic, office.  Now Cyakabiri School for Young Children.

Increased chicken industries to include broilers and layers.  (Producing eggs for income and meat).

Broilers                                        

Layers

2010: started JR Saving’s accounts for kids.  Fina bank

2010: Built a "SAFE HAVEN" Nursery for throw-away babies.  We have 15 Under 5 years.

Established Cyber Café for community and income producing nonprofit business. (Rental property) Purchased 5 PC and a copier.

We planted 7 kitchen gardens and all available land. Veg for children and excess for sale.

Purchased 3 Sheep (designated money). Total now 8 and expecting.  Meat for kids.

Started rabbit hutches purchased 2 rabbits and a gift of 2. 

At present total 64. Sell and use for meat for children.

2011: Director purchased large home and guesthouse. (Personal funds savings for old age. Might be now.)

2011: Purchased house and land (Loan from Fina Bank) protection of children, larger clinic in better location, closer to children. Additional guest rooms to accommodate teams coming as volunteers.   Work not completed.

Received 3 cows from District a gift. Total cows now 5.  Two milk cows and 3 yet to breed. 

Constructed larger housing for number of cows (designated funds) and fenced in pastureland with barbed wire.Fenced in all Urukundo land to protect our children and animals. (Barbed wire)

2011: Purchased 5 pigs a gift from visitors.  (Designated money) Meat and marketing.

2011: Built pig housing.  

2011: Increased goat herd by 12 new goats (designated money) Meat for kids (total 18 at present).

Renovated first cow barn to accommodate goats and sheep.

2011: With support of Park Forest and devoted people Urukundo built a water system for the Binunga Community. In time it will also benefit our schools. (Designated funds)

2011:  Solar pumps and power were added to the water project thanks to Rotary International. (Designated funds). The project will benefit over 3000 people plus Urukundo Village when schools are constructed.

2011: Added 3 tanks for harvesting rainwater. (Designated funds)

Purchased truck for farm. (Designated funds).

Cyakabiri School opened. The first step in the planned URUKUNDO LEARNING CENTER.