Christmas Eve for the Kids

We celebrated the party, hardy, Christmas on Christmas Eve. Food, fun and gifts for all the children. Fanta, sumbosa, a tree, music, dancing and 2 gifts for every child. It took place after dinner. The little ones had their treat and gifts first and went off to bed happy. The older kids then had their party into the evening.

The food and drink was provided by the sponsor of Liliane (Carolyn and Mark) who sent extra money for us to be used for Christmas. Thank you.
The music was a gift from Jean Marie one of our staff. The gifts were from boxes sent from our support family and friends to be shared with the children. Thank you all. Talia and Meredith came for Christmas with a gift for every child. What better family support could Urukundo have?

The kids sat on the floor of Hope House and opened gifts together. each child received a gift from you and a gift from our visitors Meredith and Talia.

The little children sang Happy Birthday Jesus. We all joined in. I am sure there were smiles in heaven.

Graduating Buddies

Claude and Luki are proud of their educational achievements. Claude is our Valedictorian this year.

Claude

Luki

The Kids

Diane and Kavine Nelly, our babies, are creeping and attempting to walk. The little girls both turn 1 year in November.

Anita, John Paul and Diescor are preparing for national exams. This exam is the next step to higher education. This compares with moving from Junior High (7,8,9,grade) to Senior High (10,11,12) in the US education system.

All classes from P1 through S6  (12 grades) are taking finals and the school year ends November 10. We are anticipating the Senior (secondary) kids returning home for the long holiday. This time period compares with summer vacation in other school systems. School year 2013 starts January 10.

Urukundo Kids News

After an unusually long holiday our secondary (High School) kids returned to their respective schools. Some of the primary children came to see them off on the minibus. We now have kids in 5 different secondary schools. It was much easier when they all went to King David Academy. In the Rwandan school system, after the first 3 years in secondary school the children choose a goal for the future and move to a school that provides the education needed to be successful in their chosen field. It really is a good system giving the kids a head start for the future.

They will come home in early November and the 2013 school year begins  about January 10.

We finally have a playground thanks to RAISED HANDS FOR AFRICA  (check out their website). This mission-minded group hail from North Carolina.

Of course the big kids like the little swings. The twist and turn and unwind. That just makes me dizzy.

Big kids' swings.

The playground is such a joy to the kids.

Parallel bars, basketball court, swings for big kids in background. The sandbox is such a hit. It's located just above the nursery.

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.

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 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

From the Nursery

Kavine and Diane continue to grow and be the center of attention.

Kavine is a happy, healthy little girl. She is trying to sit up alone. That's a big job! She laughs out loud, gurgles and reaches for my finger.  Real progress.

Diane's arm is healing, thanks to Nancy, our in-house Nurse. She has done the physical therapy necessary to save the arm from becoming a disability.

The wound on Diane's face is filling in quite well but there may be a small scar. Only time and Nancy's special attention will tell. 

Nancy has been a volunteer with Urukundo Foundation since 2008. She comes from New Hampshire, USA. Nancy is a retired Army nurse and Nurse Practitioner. 

We are doubly blessed to have her as she is acting coordinator for Urukundo Learning Center working with two Early Childhood teachers in the US with the necessary credentials.

God Continues to Add

She is a precious child of God and she arrived at Urukundo as I was on my way to the airport so I have not held her yet.

Her name is Diane. She was 4 weeks old when she came home to be with us. She was an abused child. Now she is a loved child. She was taken to the hospital for treatment of the wound to her face and I am told her arm is broken. However, being 'broken' in Rwanda does not necessarily mean a bone has fractured. When my kids stub their toe they say "I am broken". So I am not sure although they did say the arm would be in plaster.

Sports World Headlines

News Flash

After their team won the Basketball championship in Muhanga District, 3 of our boys - Amin, Bosco and Abis, were chosen to receive sports training in Nyanza, the capital of South Province. They really are champs.

The training will take place from November 27 to December 12th.

We are so very  proud of our boys!

(l-r) Bosco, Abis and Amin.

Greetings from Mama Arlene in Rwanda for October 2011

Dear friends and partners of Urukundo Foundation and Urukundo Home for Children.

I started out thinking there was not a lot to share in October but by the time I finished counted the blessings there was too much.  Bear with me please and help us to appreciate the gifts we have received.  There are so many blessings given to Urukundo in the month of October. 

Our family continues to grow.

ARRIVAL ANNOUNCEMENT

A baby girl arrived at 7:40 pm on October 14th 2011.

She has been named Kevine Nelly Ineza.  She is a beautiful little girl and is about 2 weeks old.

Kavine was found in a ditch near a forest by police and brought to Urukundo at the request of the District.

We are happy to welcome this child into our Urukundo family.

REMINDER : IT'S TIME FOR PRIMARY SCHOOL SPONSORSHIPS

Last year we were able to send 340 children to primary school thanks to your generous support. These children would not go to school without your love and gifts. The amount needed to supplement what the government provides is $15 USD per child per year.  This purchases a uniform, exercise books, pens, a book bag, flip flops and a jacket.

Please consider supporting Urukundo Foundation's goal to provide an education for as many children as possible: add EDUCATION FOR A RWANDAN CHILD to your Christmas gift list.

Gifts for education must reach HMR by December 15th.  The school year begins in January.  

Happy Times

Claude had a very happy birthday. He is delighted to have a picture of his sponsor in the US, a birthday card and a new game to play.

Aline Molly and Luki.

We do welcome babies at Urukundo Village but these are special babies.. New arrivals at Urukundo are loved in full measure and hugged by Aline Molly and Luki. These little ones have no names as yet but I am sure that will happen soon.

Rebekah and Prince out for a stroll.

I can show you the way.