In the Nursery

UPDATE ON CLAUDE

Some things are hard to believe but believe this. After two hospital stays and treatment for various symptoms, a chance remark by the local clinic gave us an end to the dilemma of our little boy Claude. It seemed impossible that this one child could suffer from malnutrition and be so ill when all the children eat together and eat the same food. Why did not every child have the same condition? Treating the symptoms with antibiotics and a protein supplement he did not have to chew gave the impression he was getting well, but as soon as the antibiotics were completed he became ill again.

We had decided to take him to our friend Diane Longson and ask her to start from scratch as we did not trust the tests given to him so far. There just had to be an explanation soon or we would lose this little boy. Malnutrition is dangerous.  Again the symptoms returned and we took him to the local clinic. The  diagnosis was the same but a nurse there suggested he had a problem with his teeth. 

Because of our connection with the dental program we had been a part of with Dr Richard Reckmeyer and Dr. Drew Cahoon at Kabgayi Hospital, Claude was given an appointment to see Kizito, the technician they had trained. What a blessing! Claude had one severely abscessed tooth and another malformed tooth that gave him much pain, and so he was moving his food to other children. When he did eat something he would throw it up.  This dear little boy could not eat because he did not want the pain. Kizito put him on an antibiotic. That again took care of the infection but this time after a week the problem teeth were removed. Problem solved!

Now Claude does not like Kizito when he has his doctor's coat on but Kizito came to Urukundo to check on Claude without the coat and he and Claude are friends again.  

 

Claude is now one happy, healthy child.

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. 

Surprise and Joy

 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.

Greetings from Mama Arlene and the Urukundo Family for June 2012

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. 

Greetings from Mama Arlene and the Urukundo Kids for May 2012

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.

Greetings from Mama Arlene in Rwanda for March 2012

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.

Greetings from Mama Arlene in Rwanda for February 2012

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.