We are hand in hand. Sharing the love.
Peter Zittel took this picture.
Think on this exceptional photo, please.
Too much rain
In case you missed my posting on Facebook:
A mountain fell into the small valley in Kibuye, located on the shores of Lake Kiva, about two hours from Urukundo. Lives were lost and homes destroyed. This is just one example what too much rain can do in Rwanda.
There is no controlling nature. Not enough rain is not good, and too much rain is a disaster.
A first for Urukundo Mama and Baby Project
A mama had a baby boy via a Caesarean and is still in the hospital. The papa came to ask for clothes for his newborn son. Libby made up the gift and is giving that gift to the father to be taken to the mama and baby boy. Congratulations to both Mama and Papa.
More on Mama and Baby Project
Urukundo’s Mama and Baby Project was so pleased to get a new supply of newborn items from friends in Pennsylvania, USA. They reached us via a suitcase carried by a Rwandan student who was returning home from Penn State University. The items are so needed. We even received hand-knit baby sweaters and hats. So much love!
Other wonderful gifts to us are the reusable nylon bags from ChicoBag, which has given us 100 bags each year for the last four years.They are gifts that keep on giving and are used by the mamas after they are home. They serve many purposes.
The farm and the rains
Rain, rain and more rain -- and the walls at the farm came tumbling down.
Stones and bricks can build them up.
And the chickens will be safe.
Hard to believe, but the norm here is a cycle of three months of wet and three months of dry weather.
We are experiencing the eighth month of rain. Not sure when it will stop. This is nature playing tricks on Rwanda and possibly all of Africa. Our prayer is that eight months of dry does not follow.
Pastor Yves’ property shows major damage after heavy rain destroyed his walls and buildings.
The home of Libby, our cleaner manager and my house worker, is in shambles because of the rain. Then, the next day after the damage, her toilet was destroyed. Still, she comes to work smiling. Still, it rains and it’s very heavy rain. The people suffer.
Too much rain on our mountain, and homes are destroyed and people die. Except for retaining walls built in our early years, we do not use mud bricks. So our buildings and walls are safe compared to homes of the very poor.
Palm Sunday at Urukundo
Gathering
Walking and singing Hosanna
Amy Dove reading Scriptures; Bob Dove as speaker for the day.
January 2018 Newsletter
Here it is: another whole new year given to us as a gift. What new beginnings will we make in 2018 and how well will we work with projects from 2017 that were not finished?
Looking at our 2017 goals, many were accomplished. The building project for Preschool has been finished, giving us six Preschool classrooms.
Primary 1 through Primary 6 now have 12 classrooms. This was completed ahead of schedule.
A new guardhouse at the gate of the village is under construction. This will give our guard protection from the rain, and he still will be at the gate.
One school bus was purchased, and we were halfway toward the purchase of a second, larger bus. I couldnít get a photo of half a bus. Sorry. But here's the first one we bought.
Six new teachers were added to our school in December.
Bob and Amy Dove joined the Urukundo family and plan to be here for a year. They are improving our school with added training for our teachers.
For a yearís stay, it was decided they should have a house of their own. They are living in a house about a two-minute walk from Urukundo Village. Great to have this young couple with us.
Amy at work
Our community outreach focus is getting the ICDL computer center off the ground and running. This is Bob Dove's project. It is ready to roll.
Bob putting it all together.
Construction of the new computer lab and teaching center for the ICDL and the school is complete. They are in operation. More computers are needed. If you are upgrading your present computer and it is still good, think about contacting Carol Falke (falkes@verizon.net) and dispose of your old one for a good cause. It must be not junk.
In 2017, we welcomed Pastor Yves to Urukundo Worship Center as spiritual guide and counselor for the staff, children and community.
Yes, 2017 was an awesome year, thanks to all of you.
Another Thank You
BAGS OF BLESSINGS
Christmas was extra special for our children, thanks to St. Paul's United Methodist Church, State College, Pa., USA. Over 100 bags were hand-decorated and filled with precious gifts for the children in Urukundo Village, Binunga Community of Muhanga, Rwanda.
Rowan Miller is one of the wonderful kids in the toddlerís class at St. Paulís Sunday School. They are sharing. The toddlers, moms and dads were an inspiration. Little ones willing to share with other little ones is what the love of Christ and Christmas is all about. These bags also can be used as backpacks for the younger children and for delivering infant clothing to new mamas passing through the MAMA & BABY OUTREACH.
Thank you, St. Paulís and all who made this special time even more special for over 700 children who shared the bags of blessings in a small town in Rwanda. You are a blessing to us.
Our kids were so excited.
Greetings from Mama in the US - April 2015
Greetings from Mama in the US.
What a wonderful visit so far. I arrived April 1st and was blessed with a few day to unwind in Pittsburgh with 2 of my daughters. I have had speaking events in Pittsburgh, State College, Kittanning, Hughesville, Jersey Shore, Avis and I am only 21 days into the journey. It is not work. It is a pleasure to share about my Urukundo family in Rwanda with my Urukundo family throughout the US.
The newsletter this month will be a bit different. I am so grateful to Carol Falke for being willing to share information about the school and the progress we are making in education at the Urukundo Learning Center. Please read the newsletter and visit her Blog. I am sure she would appreciate comments and questions from our readers.
I look forward to seeing many more of you as I travel and share from my heart.
Mama
Welcome to Our School!
