For a long time, the children have been collecting and giving me precious stones. These stones are unique as there are many colors and crystal-like particles in them. They are beautiful, but I needed to do something with the stones. My bedroom was getting crowded.
What better than a rock garden?
The kids loved the idea, so a part of the garden was set aside for the rocks. Their first message was HELLO FRIEND. The second was a welcome home for Mama. Each week, the kids will choose a word they all want to learn and will spell it in the rock garden with the little stones. Oh, yes, the stones are many sizes.
Love it.
Mama spent a two days in Kigali. The children welcomed me home with this word and a photo in the rock garden.
Love these kids.
Child of the Month
Egide
Egide came to Urukundo on May 7, 2011.
This is my favorite photo.
Sorry, Soso and Egide. Mama could not resist this photo.
Egide is a beautiful boy with love to give. So happy we were here to help heal his little heart and return the love.
The Vice Mayor from the Muhanga District brought Egide to Urukundo. His story is limited. We do not know his date of birth, but, based on his growth and his teeth, we believe he was 4 years old.
This is the story brought to us:
A young woman was seen walking into the water at the lake carrying a small child close in her arms. She was wading out into the deep water, holding her little boy with tears running down her face. A woman who was watching felt something was very wrong and called for help. Several men nearby came at her call for help and went into the water to bring the protesting mother and the little boy to safety. The mother intended to drown herself and the little boy. Both she and the boy were pulled from the deep water in time to save them. We are so thankful for the person who came along at the right time.
His mom is Vestine and she is in a hospital for mentally disturbed persons. We are hoping she will recover from the trauma she has lived through. We pray for her.
Egide is a fine young man and very handsome. He just started fourth grade.
In December 2017, Egide earned his orange belt in Karate. He had a white belt and advanced so well that he skipped the yellow belt and now is orange. That is quite an achievement. Congratulations, Egide and Sarah.
Creative Writing
Some of the 1st, 2nd and 3rd grades classes took on writing projects. This year titles were, “How I go to School”, “How I Would Like to Go to School” and “Where I Like to Read”. What fun it was to compare what the Rwanda and US kids wrote. This was a great tool to learn about each other’s cultures.
Going to school…..In Rwanda the kids walk or their parents bring them on a bicycle or motorcycle. In the US they come mostly by bus or in their parent’s car. Fun ways the Rwandan kids would like to go to school are by helicopter, hopping on a frog, holding onto a butterfly or balloons or kite or on the back of a gecko or elephant. A dream for several would be to ride a bus like the kids in the US. Imagination was key for this project.
Our Youth's Future
I find it hard to believe that the little children we started out with in 2006 are now young men and women ready for university. Tresor, Divine, Alexander, Anett, Esperance and Lucie have all finished secondary school (High School). We are blessed to have support for 4 of our students and are praying for support for the other two. Let me know if you can help with their education.
Anett and Esperance still need $4,500-5,000 annually for tuition and expenses. Anett will study International Relations and Esperance Nursing.
Anett
Esperance
Lucie gets her Visa
It was an exciting day for Lucie. Her interview with the Consul at the US Embassy was a bit scary. It went well and she received her visa.
Lucie has finished Secondary School and will receive Second Language Training at THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS-PAN AMERICAN UTPA ENGLISH LANGUAGE INSTITUTE.
It is her goal to become fluent in English and go on as a Divinity student. After her studies she will return to Rwanda and Urukundo with the hope of helping her brothers and sisters in our home to reach their goals in life. Lucie will make a great pastor. Her sense of humor, her love of children and her desire to serve God in whatever capacity possible is for Urukundo another HOPE MADE REAL.
Go for it Lucie. Your family at Urukundo loves you and will miss you while you are away!
Big Steps for a Little Person
Jenett taking some big steps! Walking is a big deal when you are a beginner.
Playing peek-a-boo with Mama.
Big chairs are fun to hide behind!
Introducing Cedric - a New Boy in our Village
Cedric is 10 years old. We are so happy to have him join our family at Urukundo Village.
Claude, Sarah, David, Kenny and Kenilla gather to walk him to school.
Auntie Betty’s Soccer Team
Ok, so they are not National League now but who knows.
A handmade Christmas
Making your own decorations can be great fun too.
ALL GLORIOUS CREATIONS.
When you do it yourself the presentation has more meaning.
From this.
To this.
Photo Gallery for November
Five of our Secondary kids finished High School this year. A lot depends on the scores made in the National exams where their future lies. We can make a difference. A gift to the EDUCATION FUND is one way you can help these kids obtain higher education and a brighter future.
Because you cared this group of young adults dare to dream. Their dreams for the future are do-able. Can you help make it happen?
Anett hopes to be accepted at Akilah Institute for women.
Lucie, Her dream is to become a pastor and serve in ministering to others.
Divine has a heart for aviation and is applying to Nairobi Aviation College Flying School.
Esperance wants to go into the field of medicine. KHI (Kigali Health Institute) Medical or Dental.
Alexander's future lies in Computer Technology and Computer Science. KIST for his Bachelors and Carnagie Mellon Rwanda for his Masters.
CONGRATULATIONS GRADUATES. WELL DONE.
WE ARE PROUD OF YOU.
Their goals are within reach with your help. Funding is needed. Check out the web sites for these schools and see where your heart leads you.
Talented Kids
Nelly plays the drums for the younger singers before worship.
Left to Right: Isaah, Kavine, Soso & Diane.
The Story Behind the Cast and Crutches
Not my best moment.
The fateful day was September 15.
I had sent my driver to get two of our kids from the Kigali library. Setting in my parked car in a hillside parking lot slight movement on my left side gave me the thought that the car next to mine was moving. It took a second to realize it was my car moving. I could not reach the brake and my reaction was to get out of the car before it went over the bank and turned over. Not good thinking but a gut reaction.
I opened the car door and managed to get out of the moving car. The open door pushed me to the ground. I lost my footing and was dragged. I was able to pull my body out from under the car but just before I would have been free my foot caught on a raised curb and I could not move. The left front tire pinned my right foot to the curb.
I twisted my body trying to get free. I think I resembled a pretzel.
It took 6 strong young men to push the car off of my foot and free me.
Funny I felt no pain until after the car was moved. Then it hurt a lot.
I am so blessed. It could have been much worse. It's October 24 and the cast is off. The foot looks good.
I am back in full service in time for the graduation. Praise God.
Soso made his own crutches to walk like Mama.
How very inventive!