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Prince arrived November third. He is a beautiful 18-month-old baby boy.
No Room at the Inn?
During my time in the US we received word that it had been necessary to say 'no' to twins because there was no space available for them. You shared with me the disappointment for those babies. We and they have been blessed.
The twins have returned. Two-year-old Kenny and Kenili have joined our family. They are beautiful. I had hoped they would reappear after my return home and they have. Their grandfather in a wheel chair is no longer able to care for the toddlers. He has done his best and is now asking for help. I am glad we are able to help him care for them. He will not lose the children but can keep in touch with them and visit them.
News from the Nursery
Nursery completed and occupied thanks to a generous gift from Cindy and Ken Grieshaber of Bethlehem Pa.
Thank you Cindy and Ken for your wonderful gift.
The nursery has two large bedrooms, a Play room and a Utility bath room for bathing and changing babies and doing laundry.
There is also a yard for the babies to play in. The fence is yet to come.
Our mamas are very happy. The babies are all toddlers except Hillie and they love the freedom they have and we love the protection it provides.
Hillie has a Moto Car. How much he has grown while I was away. He loves being independent but has to work hard to make his moto move. The toddlers help him with that.
We can watch him grow because his feet do not reach the floor yet.
Soon, I am sure. I will keep you posted.
Precious Gems Choir
Growing Up
Hillie is growing stronger at six months. He is very capable of telling us when he is hungry!
Sarah and mamma Mahoro spend some quality time together.
Sarah and mamma Mahoro spend some quality time together.
Hillie at Four Months
Hillie aka "Soso" at 4 months was having a bad hair day! We are delighted that he is putting on weight and getting chunky!
Baby Dolls
A group from Minnesota and North Dakota donated enough baby dolls for all the little children (even the boys). Aline shows off her doll that she carries on her back like "a real mamma" carries her baby. We put everyone's name on their babies so we don't mix them up. It seems like we have babies everywhere now!
Bath Time!
Rub a dub dub - Claudine, Johnny and Sarah enjoy their morning bath!
High School Holiday
Our secondary (high school) students are home from boarding school for a holiday. They will be here for almost a month. The presidential election for Rwanda is August 9th and the children won't return to their boarding school until after the election. It is good to have all 10 children home for this time. They learn important disciplines at boarding school and are good role models for the younger children. In this picture Esperance (a high school student) shares with Solange and Obis. Meredith (a Peace Corp. worker and Urukundo Board member) gives Lucia a welcome home hug. Lucia is also on her break from boarding school and will be returning to King David's Academy after her month long break.
University News
Ben in new nursing attire. Third year Curriculum.
To those new to the Newsletter, Ben came to Urukundo as a volunteer after finishing secondary school when he was bodyguard and interpreter for Mama. His hope was to become a nurse and thanks to Leslie Hafner and friends of Bloomsburg Wesley UMC, funds were provided for his dream to come true. Ben is now a third year nursing student at Kigali Health Institute.
Claudine Update
Claudine arrived with us March 2009.
This beautiful, happy and healthy little girl is truly our Claudine just 14 months later.
Claudine will be 4 years old June 10, 2010. This little girl is a miracle. She can see. She sits alone, creeps, stands and holding on to two fingers she puts her weight on her feet and takes steps. She is making sounds and trying to talk. Claudine has come a long way and has a long way yet to go. Everything we were told was impossible for her, God has made possible. We have been blessed by her presence at Urukundo Home.
She is a special child - but like all mamas, I think all my children are special. Don't you?
This beautiful, happy and healthy little girl is truly our Claudine just 14 months later.
Claudine will be 4 years old June 10, 2010. This little girl is a miracle. She can see. She sits alone, creeps, stands and holding on to two fingers she puts her weight on her feet and takes steps. She is making sounds and trying to talk. Claudine has come a long way and has a long way yet to go. Everything we were told was impossible for her, God has made possible. We have been blessed by her presence at Urukundo Home.
She is a special child - but like all mamas, I think all my children are special. Don't you?
Announcement
A baby boy arrived April 24th. His mother died after leaving the hospital. His story is sad.
His mother gave birth at the hospital but with no money she could not stay there. She was discharged shortly after the birth to return to her village. The village is far out in the hills and a motor bike was the cheapest mode of transportation. The roads are one big rut after another. She got on the bike with her new born son in her arms and started for home.
The ride was rough and she did not heal well after the birth and so started to hemorrhage severely. The ride was over an hour and her life's blood was draining from her body. I am told she died on the way home still clutching her baby boy in her arms.
When the driver realized she was in trouble it was too late there was nothing he could do.
He is beautiful. He is loved and his name is Hildbrandt. Called Hillie.
His mother gave birth at the hospital but with no money she could not stay there. She was discharged shortly after the birth to return to her village. The village is far out in the hills and a motor bike was the cheapest mode of transportation. The roads are one big rut after another. She got on the bike with her new born son in her arms and started for home.
The ride was rough and she did not heal well after the birth and so started to hemorrhage severely. The ride was over an hour and her life's blood was draining from her body. I am told she died on the way home still clutching her baby boy in her arms.
When the driver realized she was in trouble it was too late there was nothing he could do.
He is beautiful. He is loved and his name is Hildbrandt. Called Hillie.