Urukundo was blessed in April by the visits of 7 young people. Three came from Rwanda and four from the UK. They came to be with us during the memorial week. They spent their time with the younger children. It was a fun week for all.
Day Visitors
We welcomed a return visit from Thomas Gamby who visited us with AIC in early April. He came back bringing his wife Marie-Louise, First Secretary, Head of Administration for the Sweden Embassy. We were so honored by her visit. Their son Oscar and his wife Sofie from Sweden were with them. We are glad they included a visit to Urukundo while visiting their parents in Rwanda. After touring the compound they enjoyed lunch with the kids. That is quite an experience.
Long Term Volunteer
Saying goodbye is painful. If you don’t believe it, ask Laura Rowland from Pittsburgh, PA USA.
Laura came in February to volunteer for three months at Urukundo.
Her work here has included assistant teacher at the Preschool/Kindergarten, helping out during playtime at Hope House and assisting at the start up of the Dental Initiative. There she was so appreciated. Her skills as a leader and teacher and her ability to relate to children were a blessing. The kids had trouble with the L and R in her name so she was called many different names while she was here. Never a problem - Rorla was the favorite I think.
The kids watch as Laura and the car drive away. Having them sit on the steps is the only way to make sure none are too close to the car and all are safe.
All of the kids would like to be in her suitcase. They will miss her so much. Her time with us was truly a blessing.
Gathering for pictures was a last fun time for Laura and the kids.
More March Volunteers
Carol Falke & Marilyn Ely arrived on schedule bringing many books and teaching plans share with our teachers. As volunteers they have a very heavy schedule planned. Others on their team will join them on March 21st.
We are so blessed by their presence.
Many many suitcases, some with books. Pounds of books arrived with Carol and Marilyn. Gifts from those who value the library in our Learning Center.
When books arrive they are cataloged into our system on the computer and then added to the shelves in the library. We thank Marilyn for entering them all into the computer.
Teachers check out the books and place them in the right categories.
Another volunteer arrived.
Meredith Lu came home for too short a visit. Meredith just finished her nursing program at Johns Hopkins Hospital and is now a Registered Nurse. She is going for her Masters but came home for a visit first. Congratulations Meredith from a proud Mama and the Urukundo Kids. Visiting the kids at Gasogi Secondary School was a treat for them and also for her.
Welcome home Meredith. Next time stay longer.
Spending quality time with the kids.
Making New Friends at Urukundo
Laura from Pittsburgh USA and Meredith from Seattle USA on their way to work at the Preschool early in the morning.
Two of my girls.
Saying good bye to Meredith and Marilyn was tough.
But on the same day we were saying hello to Carol Bany and Nona Nina Fellin from State College. They were part of the Carol Falke, Marilyn Ely team just arriving a bit late. We are strong believers in “BETTER LATE THAN NEVER.” Welcome Carol and Nina and come back soon Marilyn and Meredith.
Greetings from Urukundo for February 2014
February was full of exciting events at Urukundo Home & Learning Center.
On February 1st an event that seemed impossible took place. Imagine being able to be fitted for a custom garment, and then have a photo op in the finished gift - for all 23 children at Urukundo!
The kids were thrilled and had a great time when Janet and Angela Murray, seamstresses from Canada came to visit. They bought material at the market and worked with the staff at the sewing Center to complete their project.
A dress for each girl and shorts for each boy. The kids saw the process from start to finish.
The day started sunny and bright. Janet and Angela worked to finish their project as today was their last day to be with the kids.
They were due to leave at 3 PM. Most important they wanted photos. The morning was perfect for photo taking. This is Rwanda!
About 1:30 the sun left and the rain came. This was not on our schedule! Photos would have to be taken on the front porch. The lawn would have been so great and the rain would not last long but their timetable was set. Mama's front room became a room of activity as last minute adjustments took place and play clothes were chucked and finishing touches and modeling of handiwork took place. Such fun for Janet, Angela, the mamas, myself and the kids.
Boys model shorts!
while the girls modeled sun dresses. (with boys in the back ground being boys). In the photo:
Janet, Angela, myself & four of our wonderful mamas : Chantel, Delphine, Betty, Francois & the kids.
Visitors
Laura Rowland from Pittsburgh, Pa, USA arrived February third and will be with us for three months. Laura is working with the teachers in the preschool in both the morning and afternoon sessions. Teachers and helpers are needed. Laura is doing a first rate job.
In late afternoon she helps with the children at dinned and joins them for devotions. We are blessed to have this young woman at Urukundo Village.
Visitor from Burundi
Nadine’s visit was a return trip. She visited us in 2009 while still a student. She has finished that period of her life and came back to see the kids she knew in 2009. Of course that did not happen because like her, their lives have moved on and they were all at boarding school. She now has a whole new family of children at Urukundo, all under 7 years of age. She will come back in April when the older kids come home from school.
Nadine playing with Nursery kids at play time.
Diane and Soso. Quite an armful.
Visitors from Canada and the US
A wonderful mixed team from Canada and the US paid a very short visit to Urukundo. Their main purpose was to visit the school and see the Dental Initiative firsthand. This was Misty and Debbie's second visit. They were here in 2012 and found the changes rather interesting. Janet and Mariah visited for the first time. It was a fast 2 hours but a delightful one.
Volunteers at Urukundo
Benjamin Grange from France.
Benjamin is involved with solar energy and did some maintenance on our solar connections and worked at teaching the kids how to Juggle colorful balls made specially for the sport. This is not easy! We worked hard to juggle just 2 balls, while he juggled 5 with no problem. He left the balls and the kids are practicing so when he comes back he will be surprised.
CLAUDE, ALINE, CLAUDINE, BELISE enjoy a photo moment with Benjamin.
Mother and Daughter come to Urukundo to help at the Sewing Center. Janet Murray and her daughter Angela from Canada.
Visitors
Seems the most difficult thing for our visitors to do is to leave the children. Real attachments take place.
Abigail who said she never cries was in tears as she left the kids and Urukundo with the promise that she would be back. The kids want to know when.
They are doing the exercises and Gymnastics and using the hula hoops as she taught them.
It is so funny seeing them doing hand stands against the walls and cartwheels in the garden. In Rwanda "the garden" is the lawn not a place where we plant and grow seeds.
Visitors from Austria at the preschool
Otto Fischer and his team spent an overnight at Urukundo following their trip to the source of the Nile.
The men find the seats at the school a bit small for long legs.
Otto is a yearly visitor to Urukundo. Many of you will remember he is the Veterinarian who operated on Daisy's eye several years ago. We look forward to his visit each year about this time.
Otto's new camera takes great pictures.
Secondary Students and teacher from Green Hills Academy paid Urukundo Village and Learning Center a visit in October. We were sorry our secondary kids were not at home to exchange ideas with this group.
They were most welcome.
Teachers
Our need for educators to come and work with our teachers on best practices in teaching continues. Our schools are in session when your's are closed for the summer. A trip to Rwanda would be an excellent vacation, well spent helping others! Whatever your talent or ability, it can be used at Urukundo Home and Learning Center.
EXAMPLE
Abigail from New Zealand & Australia is spending a month teaching Gymnastics and acrobatics with a circus flavor. The kids love it. Abigail is here for a month. The kids call her Aby-girl.
Abby and Sarah.
Abby and Kinella.
Abby and Luki.
What a delight it was to have Joanna and Pacifique visit Urukundo Village.
Joanna is from California and lives in Rwanda. Her business here is called "Comprehensive Language Services."
She lives in Kigali but now is connected to Urukundo by love.
Pacifique is a young man with a future. He is a Rwandese author having written 3 books in Kinyarwandan. He was raised in JAM Orphanage and is devoting his life to letting other orphans know they can build a future with motivation and a goal. He is a very interesting person. His time with us was spent sharing his time with the kids and reading to them. Pacifique is not only an author he is an excellent reader.
You met Kyle from Texas last month (photo in September newsletter) He is teaching 2 Adult English classes a day. One for beginners and one for more advanced students. Others have come to work on the farm and in construction. There is no end to the volunteer work you can do if you love children and want to help.
These young women are Nursing students from Johns Hopkins University in Maryland.
They are classmates of Meredith Lu. Meredith spent 2 years at Urukundo through Peace Corps and returned to the US to follow a career in Nursing at JHU. She asked the girls to visit David her sponsored child at Urukundo.
David just turned 6 and will be in Primary one 2014. Meredith: he is waiting for you to come home to Urukundo. The girls were here for a short time but played with the children and wandered the grounds of Urukundo Village. The kids had a great time with them while they were here.
Thank you Meredith.
Catherine Willman, Shannon Heuklom, Heather Holloway.
Visitors of the Month
Kyle Jerro is here on his fourth visit in two years. Kyle is working on his PHD from University of Texas in Austin. Kyle says he is home when he at Urukundo. He truly is a member of the Urukundo family. He will be with us until after Christmas when he will return to Texas to finish his education. Kyle is a Linguist and while here he is teaching the Mamas a class in English. He is a hero to the kids. First question from the kids when they come to play is "Where is Kyle?
Short term visitors
Melanie Kiendl and Judith Kampe visited Urukundo.
Both young women are medical students from Germany. Their visit was short but such a pleasure.
(left) Judy (right) Melanie
Mama Francois & kids pose for pictures with Melanie & Judy. Kids love to have pictures taken.
Mama joined the group.
Game Time
Memory is a great game for the younger set. These games are played at Mama's house with supervision.
Rebecca, David, Aline, Soso. Soso is learning Mama helps him.
Another game loved by the kids is UNO.
Here Belisa and Claude play with Bella our visitor from California.
Chicken foot with dominoes.
Great fun.