Partners Needed

...to build this school. It is our goal to have 2 classrooms ready by January 2013. Our school year starts in January for Primary and Secondary students. For University the school year starts in September. 

The classrooms are needed to accept the first graduates of Cyakabiri Preschool. With your help this is possible. Education is so vital here in Rwanda and everywhere. It is the key to a brighter future for our world.  Consider becoming a partner on the pathway to learning and make another HOPE BECOME REAL.

This is an invitation to educators reading this newsletter.

If you want a new experience and want to make a difference in the lives of children it is possible. Please consider coming to Rwanda and working with our teachers at Urukundo Learning Center.

Whatever your expertise we can use you.

ANOTHER WAY TO PARTNER

For a gift of $100 or more a stone can be added to the path to learning. The proceeds go to further education in our village and the community. A gift in honor of, in memory of or just because you want to make a difference would be appreciated.  

Path to Learning adds 2 new stones

Valerie and her mom from Canada visited Urukundo Village for a short time in May and sister Charley is coming in June for a month of volunteer work. Mom Diane placed the stone to honor her two older daughters.

Thank you Diane.

Project in Progress for May

Biogas

Wood has become a problem in Rwanda. It is scarce and expensive. We cook with wood because that is what is available.

Now that we have the farm Biogas has become an option. Biogas is a product of manure. With goats, pigs, cows and chickens we now have manure enough to install a biogas tank and  also make our kitchen a safer place for those who prepare our meals. Wood smoke may smell good outdoors but the smoke is not so good in a confined area. 

Getting ready to run the pipeline to the kitchen and the farm.  I am told we will have gas for cooking and some way this project will supply electricity to the kitchen and farm. I don't understand how this is possible and so I leave it to the experts. To be able to supply our own gas for cooking and a constant source of electricity is our hope.  Saving the environment, our resources and producing our own baby chicks is a plus.  Imagine the benefits.

Project for April

The on-going project for Urukundo Farm to be a major producer of broilers and eggs is getting close to being accomplished.  We just need more space and the building project will give us this. The building project in the pictures below shows the progress made so far. We have a market for the broilers with MR CHIPS RESTAURANT in Kigali City. He would like for us to deliver at least 200 broilers a month. Now, that is reaching but with God all things are possible. 

Broilers

Construction in progress.

Cyakabiri School for Young Children

We welcome four new faculty members to Cyakabiri school for young Children.Urukundo Learning Center

Theogin, Teacher  

Alexis, Teacher's Assistant

Andrew, Teacher  

Solange, Teacher's Assistant

New Faculty Members

Part of the program at Cyakabiri School is teaching hygiene.  

Brushing teeth and washing hands are an important part of this program.

Playing in the water is also fun.

More cardboard bricks are needed. 

Water and Solar Pump Project : the Latest Update

So much has happened this month of February. I hope our readers are not asleep by now. We are so grateful to all our Urukundo friends and family - because of you, this is all made possible.  I stand and cheer for you and ask blessings for you.

The water project, with solar electricity is a dream come true for me and for the community.

Celebrate with us. The water is a gift from God. The ability to accomplish this work is a gift from those who want to make a difference. You have done that for this community and Urukundo Village in Rwanda, Africa. Please continue to keep us in prayer.

Our neighbors and friends came out to celebrate this occasion of WATER.

There are so many who made this possible. I hope saying Rotary International, Central Pennsylvania UMC members and friends is sufficient and covers everyone. Previous newsletters list each contributor.

Cutting the ribbon.

These brave souls hiked to the bottom to view the source of water.

The stone was too hard to mount the stone.  We did the best we could without drills.

Solar Panels and Rotary International emblem.

Young Rotarians touring Urukundo Village.

Water and Solar Pump Project

In February the final dedication of the project will take place. It has been in operation for over 2 months and is serving the community very well.

I have been remiss in thanking all who made this project possible.

Water Project:

Caring UMC groups from State College, Pennsylvania.

Park Forest Village UMC

St. Paul's UMC 

Woodycrest UMC

Centre Hall UMC

Houserville UMC

AND Runville UMC in Bellefonte

Trinity UMC in Jersey Shore

Penbrook Trinity UMC in Harrisburg

A special thank you to: 

The International Service Team at Rotary Club of St John's Northwest District 7820, Canada

Solar Pump Power Project:

Rotary International

Spearheaded by: Forest Hills Rotary, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

On site management: Kigali-Virunga Rotary Club Kigali City, Rwanda.

Thank you to all who made this project a success and gave gifts from the heart so that clean water would make life better for our community.

New Year's Greetings from Urukundo for 2012

Our wish for all is a happy and prosperous year.

The current news is in our mission outreach. The water and power project are finished and the community has a good, clean and accessible water system in place. Thanks to Rotary International.

Urukundo Five Year Report

2006 - 2011

Urukundo Children's Village as of this date has 46 orphans and abandoned children.

18 of our children are in secondary School. 12 are in Primary School.

11 of our children are in Preschool.

5 are in our Nursery (Safe Haven).

6 former young staff members in University. (Designated funds).

First graduate  We are very proud of Diane.

We are giving employment to 34 local citizens.  All employees are covered by medical insurance upon providing proof they have covered their own children with medical coverage from a local hospital.

Urukundo Foundation provides 329 children of very poor families with supplies required in order for them to attend primary school.

Urukundo Foundation cares for 2 families with teen head-of-households with a total of 14 children (several missing when photo taken).

At the same time we need to develop the general infrastructure and create sustainable long-term business.

We can be the first orphanage/NGO ever reaching self-sufficiency and economic independency.

It is an incredible task and challenge.

WHAT HAS BEEN DONE

2006. Rented first Urukundo Home for Girls with 15 girls. Today's total is now 21.

2006: Rented first house for guests. Some little income.

2006: purchased four wheel drive vehicle (directors funds).

2007: Rented first Urukundo Home for Boys with 7 boys. Today's total is 24.

2007: First purchase of land to start chicken industry and safe area for kids to play outside of town.

First Chicken House

Deed of first ownership

2007 through 2011: Purchased, registered and paid for 14 joining small properties using (missionary gifts and Arlene's SS income) to establish Urukundo Village.

Claiming the top of the mountain.

2008:  Built a Home for Boys, a soccer field and a basket ball court. 

2008: Built a Home for Girls.  (Director's personal funds)

2008-2009: Constructed buildings for kitchen, offices, and storage.

2009: Built Multipurpose House. This house includes a Library, classrooms, meeting room, worship center, celebration house and dorm for teams with more than 4 people.

2009: constructed a shed for the 1 cow and 1 calf.

2009: Purchased another cow and her calf.  (Designated Money from People to People).  Milk for babies and HIV kids.

2009: purchased home for Guesthouse on adjourning property, resident for director, clinic, office.  Now Cyakabiri School for Young Children.

Increased chicken industries to include broilers and layers.  (Producing eggs for income and meat).

Broilers                                        

Layers

2010: started JR Saving’s accounts for kids.  Fina bank

2010: Built a "SAFE HAVEN" Nursery for throw-away babies.  We have 15 Under 5 years.

Established Cyber Café for community and income producing nonprofit business. (Rental property) Purchased 5 PC and a copier.

We planted 7 kitchen gardens and all available land. Veg for children and excess for sale.

Purchased 3 Sheep (designated money). Total now 8 and expecting.  Meat for kids.

Started rabbit hutches purchased 2 rabbits and a gift of 2. 

At present total 64. Sell and use for meat for children.

2011: Director purchased large home and guesthouse. (Personal funds savings for old age. Might be now.)

2011: Purchased house and land (Loan from Fina Bank) protection of children, larger clinic in better location, closer to children. Additional guest rooms to accommodate teams coming as volunteers.   Work not completed.

Received 3 cows from District a gift. Total cows now 5.  Two milk cows and 3 yet to breed. 

Constructed larger housing for number of cows (designated funds) and fenced in pastureland with barbed wire.Fenced in all Urukundo land to protect our children and animals. (Barbed wire)

2011: Purchased 5 pigs a gift from visitors.  (Designated money) Meat and marketing.

2011: Built pig housing.  

2011: Increased goat herd by 12 new goats (designated money) Meat for kids (total 18 at present).

Renovated first cow barn to accommodate goats and sheep.

2011: With support of Park Forest and devoted people Urukundo built a water system for the Binunga Community. In time it will also benefit our schools. (Designated funds)

2011:  Solar pumps and power were added to the water project thanks to Rotary International. (Designated funds). The project will benefit over 3000 people plus Urukundo Village when schools are constructed.

2011: Added 3 tanks for harvesting rainwater. (Designated funds)

Purchased truck for farm. (Designated funds).

Cyakabiri School opened. The first step in the planned URUKUNDO LEARNING CENTER.

The Next Five to Ten Years

Projections

1. Finish renovation on house already purchased for guest rooms for volunteers.

2. Purchase land to house Cyber Café along main road.

3. Start up a day care center for young children and babies of working parents.

4. Add another classroom for Preschool.  (Already have land).

5. Construct a Primary School adding to our school system (starting small) 2 rooms

We own land for this purpose.

6. Construct a secondary school to the system. (Starting small) 2 rooms. (Have land). Growing as required.

7. Construct a Clinic for mothers giving birth requiring post delivery care.

8. Have a well baby clinic for those babies born in the prenatal clinic.

9. Open a dental clinic for the poor.

10. Resurface the basketball court.

11. Purchase house in middle of our property after Government has declared it eminent domain for benefit of community. It can be used as the primary school after purchase.

12. Purchase a lawn mower.

Pick a project and help us reach our goal!

HAPPY NEW YEAR

Blessings Flow

Truly water is a blessing that does flow. Thanks to Rotarian Tom Nunnally from the Rotary Club of Forest Hills in Pittsburgh, PA, USA, who presented Urukundo Village with 3 tanks for harvesting rainwater. Thank you Tom for your gift on behalf of Rotary Forest Hills & Rotary International. The water tanks are making a difference in our lives at Urukundo Home for Children.

Tank at Residence.

Tank at farm.

Tank at Nursery.

Greetings from Mama Arlene in Rwanda for September 2011

Headlining the month of September and it is difficult to decide which event in our busy month should be the headline!

TIME FOR PRIMARY SCHOOL SPONSORSHIPS

It is that time of the year when our project becomes the community children living in poor circumstances.

If you remember - and even if you don't - 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.

That $15 provides a uniform, exercise books, pens, book bag, flip flops and a jacket.  

Urukundo Foundation's goal is education for as many children as possible. The need to read and write is a priority.  Pre-school & primary school are where the foundation is laid. 

Investing in education is investing in a better life. Please partner with me so that Urukundo can continue caring for children who deserve a brighter future. This is the best gift to Rwanda's children you can give.

Gifts for education must reach HMR by December 15th to be included in the December wire transfer, and for us to provide the items needed to insure continuing education for the 2012 school year. The school year begins in January. 

Please consider adding EDUCATION FOR A RWANDAN CHILD to your Christmas gift list.

Projects Benefiting Community

The kick off of the solar power project happened on September 17th.  The project is directly connected to the water project funded by Park Forest UMC and others in State College, PA, Rotary International which was well-represented by President Jolly, William Koser and 20 members of the Kigali-Virunga Club.

Presentation of a token check - a bank has the real thing.

Muhanga officials, Rotarians, Coforwa Representatives, press and guests. A wonderful gathering.

Urukundo presenting the check to COFORWA.

L-R: Bill Kosar (Rotary); Me (Urukundo); Mayor of Muhanga District; Damascene (Rep for Coforwa).

The management team.

View of the depths of the mountain. From here it is all downhill.

I was so pleased to be host to this gathering.