Thanks to all of you, our scholarship drive was amazing. 330 orphans and children of very poor families are going forward in education. Below are just a few of the kids you are helping to have a better future.
Tragedy and Sadness
Sudden death is difficult and the death of Julie's father was tragic. We shared her sorrow. He had not been ill, but death removed him from his family. Julie is the youngest in her family and was the first Mama to come as a volunteer to care for our girls in 2006. She has remained with us and is a source of strength for our children. She is loved by all.
Our love was shown to Juliette as 23 of our children, 5 staff and myself traveled in a rickety mini bus for two hours over impossible roads and log bridges. We then climbed down a steep mountain and up another on foot to be there with her as her family at Urukundo. We are blessed that the Lord Jesus has placed her in our lives.
Wooden box lowered into the grave site in the back yard of the home of the family.
Julie's mother placing a handful of earth on her husbands grave.
Our love was shown to Juliette as 23 of our children, 5 staff and myself traveled in a rickety mini bus for two hours over impossible roads and log bridges. We then climbed down a steep mountain and up another on foot to be there with her as her family at Urukundo. We are blessed that the Lord Jesus has placed her in our lives.
Wooden box lowered into the grave site in the back yard of the home of the family.
Julie's mother placing a handful of earth on her husbands grave.
Visitors for January
Jessica Cobbett
Jessica is from many places. She was born in South Africa, Moved to England and currently lives in DC, USA.
She has come as a volunteer and will be with us for three months.
Jessica helps bath and feed the babies, attends the Library, has a sports program with the kids. She likes to run and they join her. Great exercise especially running up a mountain. For me walking the mountain is exercise enough. Way to go Jessica.
Sandy Walker, Leslie Hafner, Ed Keller
This team's was with us a very short six days. The six days were very busy days and we were blessed.
They visited the Kings Palace, National history Museum, Land of Joy farm, Gatagare Hospital for Handicapped Children (this hospital specializes in making and fitting prosthesis for Children) and the Batwa Pottery Village.
Greetings from Mama Arlene for December, 2009
Christmas was fun for the children, but I came down with a severe cold and chest congestion the day before Christmas and of course kept pushing with everything that had to be done. I accompanied Pastor Sharon and Tom to the airport Christmas day and took part in a Board meeting for the Urukundo Foundation on Saturday closing out the year and then my body said enough. Two days after Christmas it decided I needed a rest and the staff put me to bed. The kids have been great, making sure I have food and drink and letting me rest, but colds have to run their course and recovery is slower that I would like. I am on the mend and expect to be back in full gear today or maybe tomorrow.
I have received many wonderful Christmas greetings from friends and family this month along with pictures and I appreciate all of them. It helps me feel closer to home and knowing I am loved is very important.
I have received many wonderful Christmas greetings from friends and family this month along with pictures and I appreciate all of them. It helps me feel closer to home and knowing I am loved is very important.
November and December Birthdays
We celebrated both months' birthdays the last Sunday in November knowing the end of December we celebrate the birth of Jesus. That overshadows ordinary birthdays.
The cakes were beautiful. Seven birthdays were celebrated including mine. I find it awesome that God has allowed me 79 years and except for an occasional cold very good health.
The cakes were beautiful. Seven birthdays were celebrated including mine. I find it awesome that God has allowed me 79 years and except for an occasional cold very good health.
Christmas at Urukundo Village
Giselle, Esperance, Aline and Natete help make the tree beautiful.
Aline
The tree is artificial - there are no blue spruce (my favorite tree for Christmas) in Africa.
Aline
The tree is artificial - there are no blue spruce (my favorite tree for Christmas) in Africa.
Worship the Sunday before Christmas
The kids did a great presentation from the view point of the Shepherds - interesting concept.
The Halos kept slipping.
The dvd player was a Christmas gift to the kids from Pastor Sharon and Tom Landis - the thought is dvd's are lighter and cost less to send.
Angels and shepherds.
Johnny did not appreciate being a stand in for Baby Jesus.
Christmas Day
Mama
Each of the children received a t-shirt, song book and bible.
Kinyarwanda bibles and song books Lilliane and Salonge asked for English bibles and received them.
Becky assisted mama in giving gifts.
Lilliane, Florentine and Deborah Presented a cultural dance.
The boys did their part - Tresor, Emmanuel, Abis.
First and foremost we thank God for his son Jesus whose birthday we celebrate.
It was a day of joy and celebration. The program put on by the children was special and all our visitors were welcomed.
Visitors Tom and Pastor Sharon presented the children with a DVD player, Miceala gave them a basket ball, Karen and Becky brought lollipops with gum inside and Talia from Bloomsburg sent chocolate bells for all the kids. Chocolate is a special treat here. Thank you Talia.
Staff received song books for worship and a gift of Amafranga (money).
John gave us a goat from his farm and so there was meat for dinner and the cooks outdid themselves with a fresh fruit mix (fruit cocktail in America), fresh peas and carrots and a cucumber and onion salad all from our garden. It was wonderful. We praised God for our bounty and for each other.
Special Notice
Earth Class Mail was a great idea, but we forgot to take into consideration the handicap of the internet system in Rwanda. Power is not dependable and no power means no internet. Waiting 20 minutes to scan each piece of mail and a further 20 minutes to open the scanned mail, only to find out it did not detect the check because it scanned it sideways was not ideal! Trying to get the mail sorted on my own was not an easy task and so I am admitting defeat and we will go back to the old snail mail process.
The address will still be a post office box but not in Philadelphia. It will be in Williamsport, which was the place of our origin.
The new address is:
Hope Made Real
Arlene D Brown
PO Box 3222
Williamsport Pa 17701
The address will still be a post office box but not in Philadelphia. It will be in Williamsport, which was the place of our origin.
The new address is:
Hope Made Real
Arlene D Brown
PO Box 3222
Williamsport Pa 17701
New Board Takes Office
January 1st sees changes in Hope Made Real. My thanks to the previous Board for a job well done. Their job was not easy. Growing pains and learning experiences have brought us to where we are today. Thanks to them we have prospered and now move ahead in 2010.
Patricia, Christian, Cindy, Mary, Terry, Ed & Laurie - my thanks to each of you, the pioneers of HOPE MADE REAL. We could not have done it with out your love and perseverance.
~Mama Arlene
Please note the names and contact details of the new Board of Directors.
Patricia, Christian, Cindy, Mary, Terry, Ed & Laurie - my thanks to each of you, the pioneers of HOPE MADE REAL. We could not have done it with out your love and perseverance.
~Mama Arlene
Please note the names and contact details of the new Board of Directors.
Priority Project
Finish construction on the Multi Purpose Center "HOPE HOUSE"
Windows and doors needed.
Ceiling boards and tile for the floor are essential.
We are a faith ministry and in faith we know God is in Charge.
Our mission outreach after feeding, clothing, lodging and educating the Urukundo kids is to the aid children in Rwanda.
The update for scholarships given by you will be in the next newsletter. It is not too late to give the gift of a scholarship.
Send your gift of $16 for a needy child by Paypal or to:
Hope Made Real
Arlene D Brown
PO Box 3222
Williamsport Pa 17701
GOD BLESS US EVERY ONE
HAPPY NEW YEAR 2010
Windows and doors needed.
Ceiling boards and tile for the floor are essential.
We are a faith ministry and in faith we know God is in Charge.
Our mission outreach after feeding, clothing, lodging and educating the Urukundo kids is to the aid children in Rwanda.
The update for scholarships given by you will be in the next newsletter. It is not too late to give the gift of a scholarship.
Send your gift of $16 for a needy child by Paypal or to:
Hope Made Real
Arlene D Brown
PO Box 3222
Williamsport Pa 17701
GOD BLESS US EVERY ONE
HAPPY NEW YEAR 2010
Greetings from Mama Arlene for November, 2009
The month of Thanksgiving is here and Urukundo and I have so much to be thankful for. We are counting our blessings (42 children) and are thankful to our Lord for each of those blessings. I thank you for you have been faithful in supporting this ministry. That support not only feeds and cares for the children who live in our village but provides education for the very poor, vulnerable children throughout the region. A donation of just $15 makes a big difference.
Yes, $15 allows us to provide the necessary items needed for a child to receive an education and a better start for a promising future. If you are able to, please consider adding an extra dollar ($16), since prices have gone up in Rwanda, like the rest of the world.
Last year we were able to provide educational scholarships for 329 impoverished children giving them hope in Kigali and South Province.
This year we are nowhere near our goal - yet.
Don't delay, do it today! Make a difference in our world - yours, mine and the children in Rwanda.
LETS KEEP THEM IN SCHOOL!
Yes, $15 allows us to provide the necessary items needed for a child to receive an education and a better start for a promising future. If you are able to, please consider adding an extra dollar ($16), since prices have gone up in Rwanda, like the rest of the world.
Last year we were able to provide educational scholarships for 329 impoverished children giving them hope in Kigali and South Province.
This year we are nowhere near our goal - yet.
Don't delay, do it today! Make a difference in our world - yours, mine and the children in Rwanda.
LETS KEEP THEM IN SCHOOL!