Hillie is growing stronger at six months. He is very capable of telling us when he is hungry!
Sarah and mamma Mahoro spend some quality time together.
Sarah and mamma Mahoro spend some quality time together.
Visitors for September
Joe and Michelle Halonen came back to visit Urukundo Home for children in September on their return trip to Rwanda. The Halonens are from the same area of Arizona as Todd and Andrea and have known Todd and Andrea for a long time.
Stateside News from Mama Arlene August 2010
Missing the children at Urukundo is the down side of our trip to the US. It is disturbing to think about how much the kids, especially the babies, will have grown while I am away. We are blessed because we do have Skype and so get to see them occasionally. The time difference sometimes makes that difficult.
We have traveled many miles and have many yet to go. We are being treated most royally, greeting old friends and making new friends along the way. The end of August finds us in California. We are so blessed.
It is my pleasure to report to all who have been praying for the addition of a nursery that a gift was received, sent to Urukundo and the Nursery is under construction. Glory be to God.
The next project will be the day care and preschool. Prayers please, as we continue our journey.
Thought you might like to see my wonderful family in America.
Mama and Children
We have traveled many miles and have many yet to go. We are being treated most royally, greeting old friends and making new friends along the way. The end of August finds us in California. We are so blessed.
It is my pleasure to report to all who have been praying for the addition of a nursery that a gift was received, sent to Urukundo and the Nursery is under construction. Glory be to God.
The next project will be the day care and preschool. Prayers please, as we continue our journey.
Thought you might like to see my wonderful family in America.
Mama and Children
Lilliane's Continuing Adventures
Lilliane is having a magical time in the US.
On the left : August 1st was her 15th birthday.
On the right : reunion with Talia; driving a four-wheeler in PA.
Washington Monument and the Kennedy Center : Lilliane and friends in Washington DC,
Grand Canyon, Arizona
Lilliane with Native American cowboys
On the left : August 1st was her 15th birthday.
On the right : reunion with Talia; driving a four-wheeler in PA.
Washington Monument and the Kennedy Center : Lilliane and friends in Washington DC,
Grand Canyon, Arizona
Lilliane with Native American cowboys
Greetings from Todd Ellingson in Rwanda for August 2010
We are very excited that the nursery walls are almost done. Construction started again after a generous donor gave us a gift a month ago. The new nursery is located attached to the girl's dorm. The current nursery is in the boy's dorm and is crowded with eight children and three mamas.
Arlene continues her travels in the USA (details of her schedule can be found here); in the meantime here are a few snapshots of daily life at Urukundo:
The boys play marbles almost every day.
Johnny, Sarah, Rebecca make the most out of a cardboard box.
Praying mantis are common around Urukundo.
Arlene continues her travels in the USA (details of her schedule can be found here); in the meantime here are a few snapshots of daily life at Urukundo:
The boys play marbles almost every day.
Johnny, Sarah, Rebecca make the most out of a cardboard box.
Praying mantis are common around Urukundo.
Saying Goodbye
John Kayitare, on our executive team, was sent on his way with prayer. John will be attending a university in Uganda for three years. John will be deeply missed. He hopes to one day be a parliament member!
Secondary School kids head back to King David's Academy after a month long break. We rented a public transport van to take the ten children back to their boarding school. These types of schools are very popular in Rwanda for high school. King David's is one of the top three boarding schools in Rwanda.
Secondary School kids head back to King David's Academy after a month long break. We rented a public transport van to take the ten children back to their boarding school. These types of schools are very popular in Rwanda for high school. King David's is one of the top three boarding schools in Rwanda.
Craft-time with Ruthie
Ruthie, originally from Nigeria but now lives in England, came back for her third visit. The children love her story telling, singing and crafts. Ruthie had the children make greeting cards to Mama Arlene for her return.
Dr Peter with Amin
Dr. Peter is an eye specialist from Belgium. He has made a four year commitment to Rwanda and we are fortunate to have him located 10 minutes away at Kabgayi Hospital. Dr. Peter was the one who brought Claudine to Urukundo because she had cataracts. Pictured above is Amin. Amin was suffering from irritating eye allergies. Dr. Peter injected medicine directly into his eyes. Amin is feeling much better now.
Hauling Water
Dry season in Rwanda means that our city supply of water runs out so we have to haul water from natural springs. The water is a 15 minute drive away. We fill four large containers and six smaller ones and carry them up a steep hill to our Toyota SUV. The whole operation takes about 1.5 hours for one trip. We usually need two trips to get enough water for cooking, cleaning and construction. Around mid September the rainy season begins again and the water supply comes back.
Hillie at Four Months
Hillie aka "Soso" at 4 months was having a bad hair day! We are delighted that he is putting on weight and getting chunky!
Visitors for August
The Society of Rural Physicians of Canada brought a team of doctors to Urukundo. After a tour and dinner the children put on a talent show. Later the doctors presented Urukundo with a Certificate of Appreciation and a suitcase full of toys for the kids. Thank you so much!
Yvonne and her son Edu, came to stay for a few nights. They are from Spain and came to Urukundo through Volcanoes Safaris Tour Agency. Edu enjoyed playing football with the boys.
Kathy Lesnar is Todd Ellingson's high school classmate - she is also Immaculee Ilibagiza's personal assistant. Kathy and Todd reconnected on Facebook recently and found out they had a similar love for Rwanda. So Kathy brought her tour group with Immaculee to Urukundo. Immaculee wrote the book "Left to Tell" on her survival of the 1994 genocide. We were so blessed to have Immaculee and her group visit. In this picture everyone is checking out our baby Hillie!
Ornella Umubyeyi stopped by on her way back to Wisconsin's Ripon College. She is from Rwanda but has been attending school in America since the age of 16. Each summer she returns to her home country to donate and volunteer. She stopped by Urukundo to donate a suitcase full of clothes. Thank you!
Stateside News from Mama Arlene for July 2010
Mama Arlene's complete schedule can be found here.
Greetings from Urukundo's traveling ambassador and sidekick Lilliane! Here is an abbreviated update of our travels to date.
Lilliane met her sponsoring Gram and family on our second day in the US. She is having many new experiences on her visit. Here are just a few.
Erin, Cassidy, Lilliane, Gram Carolyn
Shopping
Pedicure at "Neat Feet"
Time at amusement park in Pittsburgh.
Visit to a Zoo
I have had 23 engagements in 30 days. These have included a wedding, several luncheons and many speaking engagements. In PA, I visited Turtle Creek, Saint Johns/Newberry, Fairplay Gospel, Heilman, Warrensville, Wallace Run, Loyalsock and Rose Valley as well as New Life Christian in North Carolina. I surely am blessed.
Our goal for this visit is to create awareness for the need to complete the Nursery, work on which is already underway. We aim to build a Preschool and Kindergarten, starting our school system on Urukundo Land, and to embark on the initial building phase of the Clinic for our children and the community.
Gifts have been received to hopefully complete the nursery. Any additional funds received will go toward the additional projects detailed above.
Sally and John, who have been visitors at Urukundo
Pastor Mike and wife Fairplay Gospel Church Pa.
Tina & Dana, North Carolina
Border of Virginia and North Carolina
Sunrise out my bedroom window. Barco N.C
Next month will be just as busy. Keep Lilliane and I in prayer as we share the story of the kids at Urukundo Home and Village and this "God in Charge" mission.
The Lord be with you.
Mama Arlene
Greetings from Urukundo's traveling ambassador and sidekick Lilliane! Here is an abbreviated update of our travels to date.
Lilliane met her sponsoring Gram and family on our second day in the US. She is having many new experiences on her visit. Here are just a few.
Erin, Cassidy, Lilliane, Gram Carolyn
Shopping
Pedicure at "Neat Feet"
Time at amusement park in Pittsburgh.
Visit to a Zoo
I have had 23 engagements in 30 days. These have included a wedding, several luncheons and many speaking engagements. In PA, I visited Turtle Creek, Saint Johns/Newberry, Fairplay Gospel, Heilman, Warrensville, Wallace Run, Loyalsock and Rose Valley as well as New Life Christian in North Carolina. I surely am blessed.
Our goal for this visit is to create awareness for the need to complete the Nursery, work on which is already underway. We aim to build a Preschool and Kindergarten, starting our school system on Urukundo Land, and to embark on the initial building phase of the Clinic for our children and the community.
Gifts have been received to hopefully complete the nursery. Any additional funds received will go toward the additional projects detailed above.
Sally and John, who have been visitors at Urukundo
Pastor Mike and wife Fairplay Gospel Church Pa.
Tina & Dana, North Carolina
Border of Virginia and North Carolina
Sunrise out my bedroom window. Barco N.C
Next month will be just as busy. Keep Lilliane and I in prayer as we share the story of the kids at Urukundo Home and Village and this "God in Charge" mission.
The Lord be with you.
Mama Arlene