Funding for new residence

June 26th

Because of the addition of more guest rooms as well as laundry and utility space to the new residence for Mama and any future director of Urukundo, the cost has changed by US$15,000. Building a separate guest house would have more than doubled the cost.

Friends and family have paid for the construction of Mama’s house, and Urukundo hopes to cover the additional cost. For now, construction is on hold pending further donations to Hope Made Real for this construction. Funding is needed.

Donations can be sent to:

Hope Made Real

P.O. Box 3222

Williamsport, PA 17701

Thank you. Mama

April 2021 Newsletter

Greetings from Mama Arlene

April is the month of new beginnings. Well, for Urukundo, it is a month of developing a new system for our kitchen. Thanks to some early gifts, we were able to start. We will continue as funding becomes available. After much discussion, the decision was made. Considering the health problems for our employees breathing smoke and the environmental effects of destroying our forests for firewood, we decided to go ahead with installing the propane gas for cooking.

We will rebuild the kitchen when funds are available. Yes, it truly is a new beginning. For months, I have been anticipating what changing from wood to propane gas might be like. Well, dear friends and family, here in pictures is the answer. In capital letters, I declare: ANOTHER HOPE MADE REAL.

Propane tank arrives.

It takes a lot of men to lift such a heavy object.

OK. Job well done. Tank off of the truck.

Celebration of another Hope Made Real.

A platform was built. The tank now has a permanent resting place.

We must protect our neighbor and secure the land where the propane tank rests. It would not be good to one day find our tank sitting on our neighbor’s property. Yes, a retaining wall and a fence to protect the tank for safety reasons are necessary.

Tanker arrives for the first time to fill our tank.

We have gas.

Protection for the tank.

The tank has its protective house. Painted blue, of course.

Inside the kitchen

Changes took place to welcome the new cookers and pans.

Gone are these wood-burning, smoke-producing fire pits and the platform they were on.

They are replaced by a lower and workable platform.

A new way of cooking requires teaching and learning. Cooking with gas is much different than with wood. The Standard Gas Company provided an instructor to supervise the installation and to teach the safety measures necessary to cook with gas.

A technician gives instructions on using gas safely to cook.

Gas line, platform, cookers and pans.

More positive changes.

Removing smoke-blackened ceiling

Fresh paint makes for a brighter work area. Panels make a big improvement.

Better working space and shelving. The metal table is an asset.

Our construction crew replaced the old platform to accommodate the new cookers. They also added an open window for better ventilation.

A happy kitchen crew.

The new kitchen is still needed. For now, we are happy to work with the changes made to the old kitchen.

Feature of the Month: The Day Care

Many months in the process, thanks to so many, we celebrate the day care project as completed. God is good. In our five-year plan, we hoped to complete the day care project in 2020. Our plan was good but not the best plan. The Covid-19 pandemic changed the plans of many, Urukundo included. The need for wages for our employees, more classrooms for distancing, handicap-accessible walkways, a central wash station and a larger dining room took precedence, and the day care was put on hold.

The completion of the dining room project let us expand the day care space. We were able to transform the original dining room into a play area for the day care, thus enlarging the space for day care. Mama’s house no longer needs to be used for play space. This means that the day care, which is in the original home for girls, is in one building. The day care serves 15 to 30 children from birth to kindergarten.

As I said, “God’s plan works best.”

The expanded space will be used on weekends for weddings, meetings and special celebrations. Thanks to a special gift, a rod was installed and a curtain made and put in place. The curtain allows a hiding place for toys etc. so that weddings and meetings can take place. This area is also used for the younger children to have Sunday School. It is a great place with lots of space for teaching our younger children the good news.

Toddlers and older children now have a new play area. Kids can run a bit, stretch their little legs and enjoy being kids.

Lunch at the day care. Notice the little guy under the table.

A safe environment and safe toys along with children learning to play together and to share are big parts of the day care’s agenda.

Babies still take first place in the heart and on the back.

Even if the baby is a bear.

Little ones under 18 months have their play area with much loving care.

Our little ones sleep. It is time for a rest.

Naptime for babies.

Our staff does a great job. Delphine, Betty, manager Anitha, Josephine and Francoise.

In our hearts

Our kids are always in our hearts.

Olive and Oswald visited Jason this month. He is doing well in his new home and new school. Growing so tall!

His smile is still the best.

Dining room update

Ceiling and lights are installed. Yet to be done are installing the glass for the windows and doors, and painting the walls.

This amazing addition will serve many purposes even though it is designated as a dining room. The extra space will supply the required distancing for the students having lunch each school day as we strive to keep our students safe.

The lighting is beautiful.

Dining room progress

We are continuing to work toward a dining room that will meet the requirements for our school children as we move on.

On Dec. 1, the dining room has a roof. A blue one, no less.

Progress. On Dec. 15, doors and windows are added. They also will be painted blue.

Onward to completion or whatever the future may bring. January is our goal for the dining room to be in service. That is when all students will be back in school. The larger dining room will accommodate the distancing required for the safety because of the Covid-19 virus.

Workers ensure proper drainage from destructive storm waters.

The shelf between the building and the ditch protects the foundation of the dining room. Water is harmful if not channeled properly.

Dec. 26 and progress is made.

What a difference some days make!

Special visitors

Our boy Claude came home for a visit. He wanted to spend some time with his Urukundo brother, Soso. The boys had a great time. School started for Claude on Nov. 23.

Claude is in Primary 4 this year. Soso is in Primary 3, and he is one of three children who remains at Urukundo.

Here are some others who made a visit home:

Esperance

Now in her last year of secondary school, Esperance was delighted to find her Urukundo sister Belise at home when she arrived. Although the girls are in the same level of education, they go to different schools. The schools are very far apart, so coming home at the same time is a real event for the girls.

Belise

Her smile brightens our world.d

Belise came to Urukundo when she was 4 years old. She was the first girl under age 7 to become part of the Urukundo family. The story of Belise is a chapter in my book on Pages 75-78. She is in her final year of secondary school (high school). Her graduation has been delayed by the Covid-19 pandemic.

Bosco

Bosco, who was home for the day, came to be part of the Urukundo family in 2007. He was one of eight boys brought to Urukundo by the village leader. He is now a university student in his second year. He is enrolled in Mount Kenya University, Kigali campus.

Yes, there is no place like home.

There were early morning good-byes as the girls carrying their treasures started off for university. Now that public transportation is back, they were able to board a bus and return to their studies.

Their younger Urukundo brother, Claude, assists them as they walk to the bus. A helper who also carries school supplies is important.

Worship

We miss the children’s choir at worship, so Pastor Yves paid them a visit.

It is important they know they are loved.

They sang for him, and he did a video for me. Check the videos. https://youtu.be/G1f9gWa_aOc