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.

Mission Outreach - Education for Women

We had no idea when we decided to offer English classes for women who had small children in our preschool and wanted to learn English along with their children that the response would be so great.

The class was for mothers but grew to include all community women who wanted to learn English as a second language and to read and write.

120 women responded.

Monday through Friday at 2 pm you will find more than 90 women in class at Hope House, our multi-purpose building.

The teacher Maggie is doing a great job and for the first time these women who do not live close together but are in the same community are getting to know each other. They talk, share concerns and work together to solve them.

Maggie, the ESL teacher.

More Outreach

Adopting a rural school has turned out to be a great experience for Urukundo Learning Center.

To begin the last term of the 2012 school year Urukundo presented chalkboard and chalk, exercise books, paper, pencils, crayons, coloring books and some clothes to the students and families of our adopted school.

I am in awe.  With all their needs they wanted to show their gratitude and presented Urukundo Learning Center with a rabbit.  Such a wonderful gift.

Legal representative Alain, Jean Marie from Urukundo and Marieta, head teacher at Cyakabiri Nursery School.

It is a compliment to Cyakabiri Preschool to be in partnership with a sister school where the help is so needed and we share a purpose worth so much.  Our community outreach continues.

Stones for the Path to Learning

September's new additions.

Cooking with Gas

The Biogas project is finished. What a step forward this is for us and for the environment.

Learning to cook with gas is the next challenge. There will be another larger burner at the open end of the cooking shelf.

There will be much less smoke in the kitchen and that is good for the health of the cooks and the atmosphere.

Progress on the Primary School

Progress on the first three classrooms of the Primary School.

Funding is needed.

Inside walls ready for finishing.

Front view - the metal sheet roof will be added soon.

Preschool Teachers Encouraged

Robin and Carol do teacher training.

Pastor Lee working with Sunday School teachers.  The flannel board concept is new to our teachers. 

Our Farm Reaped Blessings

Dave & Kira taught us farming from a new perspective. Mangers for feeding the cows is a big help in food consumption. Along with the chopper we are feeding our cows in a better way.

The manger works also for the goats.

Papa goat now has a home of his own for entertaining. Helping us keep better records.

Water and feeders for the rabbits were ingenious and a simple solution

Awesome what an inventor like Kevin can do with a plastic glass, a saucer, a nail and a block of wood. Thank you Kevin.

Construction Update

Latest picture of the Primary School construction.

What a month of activity.  What will next month bring?