Her name is Abigal. Abigal comes to work with us from Kenya. She is a teacher in our Preschool and she lives in Urukundo Village.
Gathering for practice.
Abigal works with the children teaching new songs and special activities.
Something New at the School
We are big enough that now we need a Head Teacher! One day we will need a Principal but not yet.
It is our blessing to promote that teacher from inside our staff. The headteacher oversees all programs at the school and attends all District and Sector meetings involving education.
My great pleasure is seeing the children from the community along with our kids returning to school for the second term of the 2014 school year.
New Headteacher Rene welcoming the students.
The first day of school the kids from Urukundo Home were so excited they went to school early and so I missed the pictures. The second morning they waited for me and I am sharing the pictures with you.
Our children from the community come to school on different types of vehicles plus on foot. Here are two of them.
Building Primary Three
I sent out an appeal for stones and sand to prepare a foundation for Primary 3, the next step in completing a primary school for Urukundo Learning Center. We need many stones for this two-story building. It is much different for a two-story building, saving land space, than for a one-story building. This finished building will house P3, P4, P5, P6, and two classrooms each. Once the foundation is laid we can build one section at a time.
Building P3 is now our priority. In order to meet Government regulations we will build upstairs and downstairs classrooms a section at a time, making the downstairs classrooms handicap accessible.
Some funds have come and we thank you who took this need seriously. We have 3 loads of stones and need 20 more. A $50 gift can pay for a load of stones. A $25 gift can pay for a load of sand needed as fill for the stones and to mix with the cement to make the foundation solid.
The foundation is large, covering an extensive piece of land. When completed, with the classrooms we have already built, it will house our entire Primary school including offices for the school and administration.
Playtime for the Kids
Legos still the best.
This Inside Tent given to the kids for Christmas is perfect for Legos. With the floor inside the tent even the tiniest Legos do not get away Luki inside the tent building a castle.
Emanuel, Kenny & Kenilla admiring their work.
From the very simple to the most difficult, the kids are mastering them all.
Urukundo Learning Center
Last month desks were delivered, and in December our chairs arrived. Arranging the new classrooms and interviewing and hiring 3 new teachers are all part of preparing for the 2014 school year.
A very busy time at the Center. School begins January 6 which is early this year.
Growing Kids and Views from the School
I will send different pictures each month so you will know all the kids as they grow. I am in awe as they change so much and so fast. It would be my pleasure to send you pictures of all 48 kids at one time but the server would refuse because of volume.
The kids are well and looking forward to our seasonal holiday with no school until January 2014. This is a time when we are all together as a family at Urukundo Village. I love having all the kids home.
Agide 6 years. Graduated from Kindergarten to First Grade in 2014.
David, 6 years old, 2013 Graduate, Grade 1 2014.
Claudine, 6 years old, a beautiful little girl. In Preschool and received a special award at graduation ceremony.
Sarah, 5 years old, number one in her class. Kindergarten 2014.
Rebekah 4 year old, preschool, still missing front teeth.
Johnny 5 year old, Kindergarten 2014.
Kaboss, 4 year old, Kindergarten 2014.
Kenilla, 6 year old, Grade 1, 2014.After seeing the kids I want to share with you the beautiful land where we live in Rwanda. This is the view from in front of the primary school.
It will be interesting to see the new buildings develop on this land. The mountain view will not change.
View of the mountains.
Land for new classrooms.
Building area and view.
One day a secondary school.Progress on School Project
We are negotiating with a builder for desks and chairs. The desks open.
Each set costs 21,000 rwf. Don't panic. That is about $32 USD for a desk and a chair. 50 students will move to second grade.
Pictured below is what you will be giving to the first class and future classes with your gift.
Cement under overhang completed. The first coat of rust-proof paint on windows, doors and gutter is finished. Blue paint to follow.
The window glass goes in next.
Funding is needed. Appriciate your help.
This is the site of our next building project, we hope.
It will be a two story building saving land and will house grades 3 & 4. This land is for sale. We need it, and we need partners.A donation to Hope Made Real reduces your income tax as we are a 501(c)3 organization.
Think about it. What better way to spend your hard earned money?
Visit from Teachers Training College, Muhanga
Wednesday the 20th of February saw much activity at Cyakabiri Preschool. 38 students and 4 teachers from TEACHERS TRAINING COLLEGE, MUHANGA came to spend the day observing at our school. These are young people preparing to be the teachers of tomorrow.
A very handsome group.
Our little students teach the the bigger students. Every one learns.
Our teachers answered questions.
They learned about lesson plans.
Lesson plans - the teachers guide for the week.
Sitting on the mat for a reading session. It was good to see these young people become interested in education for 3 and 4 year olds.
The students finished their day by joining with our teachers for question and answer session. It was a full day. The students learned there is more to teaching young children than play. This early teaching sets the pattern for all future education. Their impact is so important for students of tomorrow.