Meet The Children

Perseverance and Determination

John Paul has never lost faith in his ability as a soccer player. When he joined our Urukundo family, he proclaimed that he would some day play for Manchester United in England. Every boy is entitled to his dream and this was JP's dream. John Paul has weak legs but strong determination. At least they appear to be weak, but I guess they are stronger than I'd thought. Many nights after a hard competitive game I would hear him and know he was in pain but when approached he would swear he had no pain.  As his mom I have many times tried to discourage him playing outside of Urukundo. I feared he would get hurt. He is not a big boy in size but in heart he is a giant.
He did get hurt many times at secondary school and at the stadium yet every time he bounced back and went right on playing Foote Ball (coccer). Finally the school called for us to come as he was in too much pain. A severely dislocated shoulder brought him to his knees,  and I was grateful our nurse Nancy Ehrig was here and was able to put it back in place. I could not have done that one. She was great and for a time JP played no soccer recovering slowly. He continued to live with muscle spasms, bruises, sprained ankles that had to hurt and the list goes on. Still he played soccer every chance he got. The doctor said, "Let him play as long as he is able," and so we did, supplying pain medicine and heat rubs as needed, wrapping ankles and elevating limbs to relieve the discomfort. It is not easy to see your child in pain and let him continue doing what is hurting him.
JP was and is the Captain of our Urukundo Soccer team. He is the best and there has been no doubt of that.

Home from taking his National Exam and waiting for the results JP went to the stadium several miles away from our campus every day walking both ways most of the time. He became a part of the team and was
selected by his coach as one of three boys to go to a competition at Butare. The winner would be given a place at a sports school. This school is a special school. You must be good to go there. The competition lasted 3 days. JP came home and looked so tired and a bit sad when he came to let me know he was home. I put my arms around him thinking I needed to comfort him.  That was not the case. He let me hug him and then he said. "Mama I am the winner"
This morning January 25,2013 this boy who would not give up went off to the new school where he has earned a place by pure will power and love of the game with a happy smile on his face. Yes perseverance and determination and faith in himself has paid off. Please keep JP in prayer.
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Naming Jacob

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His first Sunday in our family Jacob was introduced to the congregation during worship. Pastor Antoine did the honors. We had not had a new baby for over a year and so the kids were excited.

Naming Jacob was a real pleasure for me. Jacob is a biblical name and that is good but Jacob also is the name of my father and so I was privileged to be able to honor my dad by naming a beautiful little boy for him.

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Christmas Eve for the Kids

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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.

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.

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Urukundo Kids News

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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.
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In the Nursery

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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.
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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 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