Fellowship

Urukundo is becoming a Teaching Center for others involved in volunteer work and study programs. Our work with 30 young people learning about teaching Preschool was first. Then two young men came to study electrical wiring with Benjamin our construction expert. On our farm, farmers came to learn how to do below ground silos and then the Director of Agriculture at another compound came to learn about kitchen gardens.

This young man is here to study human rights and ethics and how it affects children. We are so honored to have these students with us. We learn along with them.

His name is Vincent Twishime. He is Rwandese. Vincent is 25 years old, from the Musanze area.  He attends Makerere University in Kampala.   He is a wonderful young man who has just completed his first year studying human rights and ethics.  Vincent will be with us for two months. While here, he will work at the school and be a part of life at Urukundo Home and Village.

Old Friends are Jewels

New friends are always so welcome at Urukundo, but old friends are precious and what a pleasure it was for me to welcome Pastor Boyd and his helpmate Shirley to Rwanda.

Volunteers in May

Kira and Rebecca.

Kira is a junior at Penn State University in State College, Pa.  Rebecca studies at Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, Pa.

SHORT VISIT

Colin & Heather Ashe. Their children Elizabeth, Brian and Katherine.  These are special visitors of Bruce & Margie Krogh from Pittsburgh, Pa.

Bruce & Margie are in Rwanda with Carnagie Mellon Rwanda University and are friends to Urukundo and our kids. We are blessed by their visitors.

The kids had so much fun playing together.

Our children were sad to see them go.

Susan Van Dolsen and her daughter Hannah came to Urukundo in late May. They were the last visitors of the month. While their visit was short, they looked round the Village, Farm, Dental Hut, Sewing Center and Learning Center (school).

Then they had lunch with the children. Their visit was delightful.

Hannah is a graduate of King School, Stamford CT.  She was a member of the English department's RWANDA SERVICE CLUB supporting Urukundo since 2009. This was her first visit to Urukundo Village.

Gardening Adventures

Gardening in Urukundo Village is a bit different, but our volunteers were very interested in agriculture and one of our teachers was game. It is back breaking work but well worth the pain.  Well that is my thought but I only watch! Building kitchen gardens requires a certain amount of skill and a lot of back breaking labor.

Tools are make-do using what we have available.

Nothing stopped our volunteers from completing the task!

Nina, and the two Carols hard at work.

Cloth animal feed sacks, 2 foot sticks whittled to a point by Carol Baney, a hammer, a machete or large knife and a desire to play in the dirt are the requirements most needed to build a Kitchen Garden.

Visitors

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 21^st.

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.