Project for the month and beyond

All Urukundo staff and kids helped to repair the entrance road leading to the house. I am grateful as the short road out of the compound to the main road was dangerous to walk on. I feared tripping and falling. Stones were in, out, angled, upside down and sharp. Catching my toe or foot on a stone and landing on my nose was not a good idea.
The staff and kids decided this would be an Urukundo project just for mama.

Forever and Younger Claude work as a team.

Big brother Bosco, at home for a break, pitched in and carried stones to the worksite along with the children.

Luki and teacher share the load by carrying stones and sand to the work area.Supervision on the job
Little Benj (Jacob) is on duty. He is a hard worker.

Jacob in Uniform. This navy uniform -- which was a gift from volunteers Bob and Amy Dove --  is just like the one Maintenance Manager Benjamin wears. Note even the boots are like Benj wears.
Teamwork. Jacob, Soso, both Claudes, David, Prince and many other children worked along with the adults.

Starting to place new stones. These will be covered by quality cement. I can’t wait to have a safe walkway. It will also be easier on the vehicles.
The kids were delighted to see Headmaster I’rene (principal at Urukundo Learning Center) carrying stones with them. He is such a good role model for staff and kids.

I am so proud of all. It was heavy work for the kids. Hard work for the staff. God bless them all.

Worship at Urukundo

We are welcoming a new children’s choir at worship. This group is part of the over 60 children who come to worship with us each Sunday morning from the community. After worship, all children are invited to have lunch with the Urukundo kids and staff. Each Sunday, we add seats and benches as God blesses our service. We welcome the children with pleasure and thanksgiving.

Pastor Yves and Lilliane introduce visitors and visiting pastor and family to the congregation.

May 2018 Newsletter

Soon we will be six months into 2018. So accountability and budgeting for the next six months is on the agenda.

Here’s a request to our support partners for our children: Please check your dates for sending support for your child. If it is due or overdue, please send it ASAP. Maintenance and education all require ongoing funding.

I am so grateful to all of you for supporting the children and this mission.

Little animals that bite

OK, they are insects, but here in Rwanda they are called animals.

Because of the excess rain, these insects are leaving the outdoors and moving into our preschool. It is necessary to move the kids out of the classrooms while we spray. Teaching continues but on the basketball court … 

in the yard…

and wherever.

The kids loved it and think this is a good idea for everyday. Well, it is, but with so much rain they might get wet.

A first for Urukundo Mama and Baby Project

A mama had a baby boy via a Caesarean and is still in the hospital. The papa came to ask for clothes for his newborn son. Libby made up the gift and is giving that gift to the father to be taken to the mama and baby boy.  Congratulations to both Mama and Papa.

The farm and the rains

Rain, rain and more rain -- and the walls at the farm came tumbling down.
Stones and bricks can build them up.
And the chickens will be safe.

Hard to believe, but the norm here is a cycle of three months of wet and three months of dry weather.

We are experiencing the eighth month of rain. Not sure when it will stop. This is nature playing tricks on Rwanda and possibly all of Africa. Our prayer is that eight months of dry does not follow.
Pastor Yves’ property shows major damage after heavy rain destroyed his walls and buildings.
The home of Libby, our cleaner manager and my house worker, is in shambles because of the rain. Then, the next day after the damage, her toilet was destroyed. Still, she comes to work smiling. Still, it rains and it’s very heavy rain. The people suffer.
Too much rain on our mountain, and homes are destroyed and people die.  Except for retaining walls built in our early years, we do not use mud bricks. So our buildings and walls are safe compared to homes of the very poor.
 

Kitchen improvements

We’re using what we have and improving: better office facilities, better storage rooms and computer training for my daughter Serephine, who completed culinary arts school and works at Urukundo. Inventory and costs are now done on a spreadsheet.
 
Another effort is aimed at a better cooking area and directing smoke out of kitchen. Hope it works.

After it is successful, we will paint, tile the floor and have a more desirable kitchen.
 
Wood burners make a lot of smoke and are not healthy.

An Awesome View

In closing, I’d like to show you an awesome view of the Urukundo Learning Center.

* Top of the mountain: Rwanda sky, beautiful view.
* Top level: Preschool and Glascow Culture Center, Computer Lab, School Offices.
* Second level: Primary 1 through Primary 3.
* Third level: Primary 4 through Primary 6, Music Center, Teachers Resource and Study Center(red roof).
You, our donors, have made all this possible.

Your donations are appreciated and so needed. Thank you for your loving and faithful support.

On the lighter side

Barber does house calls. You are brave, Amy.
Volunteer Amy Dove meets the barber. I would say she has a new hairdo, but I think it is just a cut. It keeps her hair out of her eyes.

Newest graduate

Giselle, our latest graduate from secondary school, will start University of Tourism, Technology and Business in May. Congratulations, Giselle!

This will give us 13 attending university. I am so grateful to all sponsors and those who donate for higher education. Without you, this would not be possible.

No washer and dryer

Volunteer Angelique from Germany does her washing in the backyard.
That is laundry at Urukundo.

Meet the office staff

Benyenzi (Ben)
Administrator and Aide to the Director
Jean Marie
Executive Director
Juliette
Human Resources and Auditor
Eric
Secretary