Rwanda

Never again

April is the month dedicated to remembering the genocide of 1994.

Pray for continued peace in Rwanda and wherever persecution, heartache and strife exist.

We come together in love to make it a HOPE MADE REAL.

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January 2018 Newsletter

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Here it is: another whole new year given to us as a gift. What new beginnings will we make in 2018 and how well will we work with projects from 2017 that were not finished?

Looking at our 2017 goals, many were accomplished. The building project for Preschool has been finished, giving us six Preschool classrooms.
Primary 1 through Primary 6 now have 12 classrooms. This was completed ahead of schedule.

A new guardhouse at the gate of the village is under construction. This will give our guard protection from the rain, and he still will be at the gate.
One school bus was purchased, and we were halfway toward the purchase of a second, larger bus. I couldnít get a photo of half a bus. Sorry. But here's the first one we bought.

Six new teachers were added to our school in December.


Bob and Amy Dove joined the Urukundo family and plan to be here for a year. They are improving our school with added training for our teachers.
For a yearís stay, it was decided they should have a house of their own. They are living in a house about a two-minute walk from Urukundo Village. Great to have this young couple with us.
Amy at work

Our community outreach focus is getting the ICDL computer center off the ground and running. This is Bob Dove's project. It is ready to roll.
Bob putting it all together.

Construction of the new computer lab and teaching center for the ICDL and the school is complete. They are in operation. More computers are needed. If you are upgrading your present computer and it is still good, think about contacting Carol Falke (falkes@verizon.net) and dispose of your old one for a good cause. It must be not junk.

In 2017, we welcomed Pastor Yves to Urukundo Worship Center as spiritual guide and counselor for the staff, children and community.
Yes, 2017 was an awesome year, thanks to all of you.


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The Story Behind the Cast and Crutches

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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!

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News from Urukundo for November 2012

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Greetings from Urukundo, the home that love built.  What an exciting month. Some good days, and some not so good. Our kids all came home from boarding school. It was great to have all 44 of them home at one time. Worship was outstanding. They were here a short time and went on holiday with extended family. The time at Urukundo passed too quickly, but they will be home for Christmas. Even the primary kids are on holiday. With all who are away we still have 21 kids in the houses. It is never lonely here.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

The Rwanda Commission for Children has taken some very positive steps to protect vulnerable children and is asking orphanages (institutions) and homes for children to assist in connecting children to their extended families.

The government is endeavoring to give responsibility to the Rwandan people for the children connected in any way to their families. In compliance with the new regulations set forth by the government to protect the rights of the children, Urukundo Foundation has enlisted the families to take part in the lives of the children. This includes Grandparents, Aunts, Uncles and Mothers or Dads with little or no income. I do not know how this will work but we know how important family ties are. Preserving the Rwandan family is one of our criteria at our home for children.

Urukundo is and will remain home to the children. They have been family for 6 years and have grown up here. These are kids from 7 to 19 years of age. The children will continue to have a choice as to where they will spend holidays, which they have always had. Not much will change, but in writing we conform to government regulations and keep our kids secure. Urukundo will, with the help of our sponsors, continue to cover tuition, school supplies, medical insurance, savings at Fina Bank for the kids, and food and lodging here at home. Their families will take care of them while they are with them. This also has not changed. Unless there are further changes by the government there will be no effect on the primary and Nursery kids or the older adolescents who have no extended families.   God in Charge.

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Greetings from Mama Arlene in Rwanda for April 2011

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A month with mixed emotions. This year marked the 17th anniversary of the devastation caused by genocide. There are those who say it never happened. Rwandans know the truth and suffer loss because it did happen. The message for the people of Rwanda this year was Remember, Know the truth, Respect yourself and your neighbor.  Rwanda weeps and in their hearts they pray to God and speak to the world saying, "NEVER AGAIN" 
This April also is the time of remembrance in the Christian faith. There is a difference because as the time of Lent concludes there is a Celebration and great joy. The Lord has risen.  Respecting the heartache and sadness of Rwanda and proclaiming the great joy of  a risen Christ becomes a challenge for those of us who love Rwanda and spread the Good News of Christ. I am sure there is a sermon in there.  It is good to remember and it is also good to move forward at the same time.

Good News

After a lot of paper work and meetings we have meet all government requirements in Rwanda and have acquired Non-profit status Certificate and all. This should help us with taxes and banking. It also says we are recognized by the Rwanda Government. This week our document will be read in front of the parliament. We received a lot of help and were able to get this accomplished rather quickly for Rwanda.

And More Good News

The Sector and District have listened to our appeal to close the road through our property. We have been given to permission to close it at once. It has become a dangerous race way for bicycles and motor bikes plus cars and trucks have started using it as a shortcut. It was not even a path when we bought the land. We developed the path and then created the road leading from the guesthouse property to the kid’s homes. The children are on that hand made road a lot and Laki likes to set in the path playing with stones. We have started by digging a trench. Now we must have stones, bricks, cement, sand and lime. We appreciate any help we can receive especially when the safety of our children is involved.

Road along side of our houses making the turn toward the guest house. White building is our kitchen.

Road along side of our houses making the turn toward the guest house. White building is our kitchen

Looking toward  the kitchen down the road to the temporary road block. You can do lots with a few stones and a ladder
Looking toward the kitchen down the road to the temporary road block. You can do lots with a few stones and a ladder.