OUR FIRST LAMB
Urukundo Village farm is growing.
Newest Addition to our Animal Population
OUR FIRST LAMB
Urukundo Village farm is growing.
OUR FIRST LAMB
Urukundo Village farm is growing.
Hope House our Multi Purpose House
VISIT HOPE HOUSE AND ENJOY:
Story Books, blocks, color books, crayons, puzzles, little cars, indoor balls, etc.
All ages benefit and Betty is Caregiver in charge.
Story Books, blocks, color books, crayons, puzzles, little cars, indoor balls, etc.
All ages benefit and Betty is Caregiver in charge.
Visitors for April
Jessica Cobbett returned to DC, She is missed.
Julia Kent Lewis, a short-term visitor with the Water Authority, included Urukundo in her time in Rwanda.
Claude made a new friend.
Meredith's mother Ellen Chu was with us a very short time. Meredith was a very happy girl to have her mother come and meet everyone and see her at work in Rwanda . Meredith and her family are from Seattle and Meredith is a volunteer with the Peace Corps.
Todd has arrived. Welcome Todd to your home away from Home.
Julia Kent Lewis, a short-term visitor with the Water Authority, included Urukundo in her time in Rwanda.
Claude made a new friend.
Meredith's mother Ellen Chu was with us a very short time. Meredith was a very happy girl to have her mother come and meet everyone and see her at work in Rwanda . Meredith and her family are from Seattle and Meredith is a volunteer with the Peace Corps.
Todd has arrived. Welcome Todd to your home away from Home.
Greetings from Mama Arlene in Rwanda for March 2010
The time is drawing near for my trip to the United States to see all of you. I am excited. Even though it is three months away, already we are making preparations for my time away from home. Todd and Andria Ellingson from Arizona are scheduled to come beforehand to train so that they will be the managers in my absence.
There is one need that I must bring to all of you my friends. As you know, in Rwanda I do not use any of the money you send for the children for any of my expenses or travel. Instead I live on (and share) my pension. Therefore there is not much left for my air travel expenses to and from and while I am in the United States. Approaching 80, I no longer drive so I will also need friends and supporters who can transport me to and from places and people I need to meet and visit with. I look forward to seeing so many of you, both individuals and churches as well as the school who have prayed for me these many years. If you are able to help me with my travel, either with funds or with your vehicle please let me know. Any funds sent should be designated as “TRAVEL FUNDS”.
There is one need that I must bring to all of you my friends. As you know, in Rwanda I do not use any of the money you send for the children for any of my expenses or travel. Instead I live on (and share) my pension. Therefore there is not much left for my air travel expenses to and from and while I am in the United States. Approaching 80, I no longer drive so I will also need friends and supporters who can transport me to and from places and people I need to meet and visit with. I look forward to seeing so many of you, both individuals and churches as well as the school who have prayed for me these many years. If you are able to help me with my travel, either with funds or with your vehicle please let me know. Any funds sent should be designated as “TRAVEL FUNDS”.
Challenges
Last year at this time we were out of water and using our vehicle to transport drinking & cooking water for the village (our own use). This year the dry season did not happen. Climate changes.
Excessive rain this season has done damage to Urukundo property. Many died in Rwanda due to mud slides. The first photograph shows where our cement and ground started to wash away because of a heavy torrential downpour. The septic for the little house is right there. Any further erosion from the rain would be a disaster for Urukundo.
Thought you might find a few pictures worth a thousand words.
Ground preparation
Hard labor transporting the rocks in a homemade wheelbarrow
Almost finished.
Excessive rain this season has done damage to Urukundo property. Many died in Rwanda due to mud slides. The first photograph shows where our cement and ground started to wash away because of a heavy torrential downpour. The septic for the little house is right there. Any further erosion from the rain would be a disaster for Urukundo.
Thought you might find a few pictures worth a thousand words.
Ground preparation
Hard labor transporting the rocks in a homemade wheelbarrow
Almost finished.
Latest fashion!
Sarah's first Afro hairdo, thanks to our volunteers Jessica & Meredith. Meredith is the photographer while Jessica stands nearby to make sure Sarah is safe. She loves to pose for the camera.
Precious gifts
Esperance receives a generous gift from her Godmother Yvonne Kaufman in Reston, Virginia.
Thank you Yvonne. Dolls are so precious here.
Our Easter Parade
Kidding of course. These hats came in a box and our kids loved them. They take turns wearing them. Even the boys take a turn.
Aline & Aline Molly
Aline & Aline Molly
English as a Second Language Graduation
Our very First graduating class from Urukundo School of English. These four passed the exam and received their certificates.
Teacher Johnnie and his prize pupil. Her grades were the highest in the class.
Teacher Johnnie and his prize pupil. Her grades were the highest in the class.
Palm Sunday at Urukundo
The walk to Jerusalem, Children waving palms and shouting Hosanna.
Jessica leading the donkey. Claude in green shirt leading the way ringing a bell.
Girls dancing for the lord
Amazing what some simple pieces of material to drape and a ribbon can do.
Communion Palm Sunday.
Jessica leading the donkey. Claude in green shirt leading the way ringing a bell.
Girls dancing for the lord
Amazing what some simple pieces of material to drape and a ribbon can do.
Communion Palm Sunday.
Visitors for March
The Youth Choir from Gitarama Presbyterian Church
Pastor Leonard and the youth choir from the Gitarama Presbyterian Church came to worship with us and were a blessing and added to our worship service.
Pastor Leonard, Youth Leader Gitarama Presbyterian Church
Pastor Antoine and his family from the UMC join us for our Palm Sunday service.
A very happy Mother.
I have been blessed with so many wonderful visitors and I love them all but this visitor is indeed special.
My daughter Rev. Dr. Patricia Brown traveled from snow covered Pittsburgh, PA. to sunny and warm Rwanda.
She admits she hopes the snow is gone when she returns to the US after her visit here.
Patricia carried many needs for Urukundo but the most important was the American girl doll for Esperance from her mom in America Yvonne.
Greetings from Mama Arlene in Rwanda for February 2010
The news for February from Urukundo is exciting. Grades are out and our kids were all promoted.
Our 'oldest kid' finished Senior High. This graduation is very special.
John Kayitare, Papa John to the kids and my Executive Administrator, at the age of 35 has graduated from Senior 6 (12th grade in America). Yes, after being out of school for 15 years, John opted to finish Secondary School in order to better serve Urukundo Foundation and to provide a brighter future for himself and his family. He had to start in Senior 5, but he completed two years of school in twelve months whilst doing his best to serve Urukundo at the same time. Not an easy task. This took a lot of courage and dedication on his part.
John finished his National exams graduating with distinction. Quite an accomplishment for an "old man".
Quite honestly, the kids announced upon hearing the news, "we didn't think he could do it!" But he did, "praise God."
Thanks especially to Carrie Schwartz from Piney Flats, TN, who believed in John and wanted to help Urukundo. Carrie provided the funds while Urukundo provided the time necessary. There have been many times when school and Urukundo clashed. Times when both John and I wondered if we had made the right decision. God in Charge.
When John came to volunteer at Urukundo, he had no job and his family were in bad living conditions. He could not provide for them. His faith was strong and he felt called to be a part of this Ministry. So in January 2007, John and his family became a part of our Urukundo family. Much of our success here is because of his hard work. I am grateful that God placed him in our lives just when the need was greatest.
Congratulations John.
Our 'oldest kid' finished Senior High. This graduation is very special.
John Kayitare, Papa John to the kids and my Executive Administrator, at the age of 35 has graduated from Senior 6 (12th grade in America). Yes, after being out of school for 15 years, John opted to finish Secondary School in order to better serve Urukundo Foundation and to provide a brighter future for himself and his family. He had to start in Senior 5, but he completed two years of school in twelve months whilst doing his best to serve Urukundo at the same time. Not an easy task. This took a lot of courage and dedication on his part.
John finished his National exams graduating with distinction. Quite an accomplishment for an "old man".
Quite honestly, the kids announced upon hearing the news, "we didn't think he could do it!" But he did, "praise God."
Thanks especially to Carrie Schwartz from Piney Flats, TN, who believed in John and wanted to help Urukundo. Carrie provided the funds while Urukundo provided the time necessary. There have been many times when school and Urukundo clashed. Times when both John and I wondered if we had made the right decision. God in Charge.
When John came to volunteer at Urukundo, he had no job and his family were in bad living conditions. He could not provide for them. His faith was strong and he felt called to be a part of this Ministry. So in January 2007, John and his family became a part of our Urukundo family. Much of our success here is because of his hard work. I am grateful that God placed him in our lives just when the need was greatest.
Congratulations John.