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May Birthday Party

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The Nursery (Mama Cindy's Cottage) is such a blessing.  So much activity takes place there.

The month of May found three of our babies having a birthday - LUKI, SARAH and PRINCE.

The special event, the birthday party, now takes place each month in the nursery where things are just their size.  It begins with a Baby Einstein dvd (thanks to Rhegan from Arizona) on my 15 inch laptop, then cake with a candle to blow, singing and juice and gifts. Sarah received a box from her sponsor. Luki has a new kite to share from Louise in the UK. A box of trucks, cars, a big red fire truck and large yellow bus came for all to share from Ken Lake in California.   It was a HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

New Arrival

In May we received Eugene (Egade) from the District. He is an abandoned child. His mother tried to drown herself and this precious child. She was pulled out of the water and both were saved but she is mentally not responsible for herself or her child. The District has placed him in our custody.  He is precious and needs a sponsor. Any one interested????
Egade is in the colorful pants. David and Kenlia are his protectors now.
Aline (big girl) and Sarah bonding with Egade.
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Greetings from Mama Arlene in Rwanda for April 2011 - Part Two

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The Second Half of a Wonderful Month at Urukundo Village

The Vice Mayor of Family Development and Gender and her assistant paid a visit to Urukundo Village.  They met the kids and heard them sing.

She encouraged the kids to work hard in school and to have a goal in life. She visited the school project and toured the Village.  We were honored by her presence.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Surgery on our Farm

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Not your typical operating room, nor the normal procedure, but it works in Urukundo Village. The combined expertise of a vet from Rwanda and two vets from Austria has made a difference in our lives at Urukundo Home for Children and for our favorite and only milk cow DAISY.
Daisy is our source of milk for all 43 children and she had a problem that threatened milk production.  When Daisy was very young a cow herder hit her in the eye with a stick. She lost vision in that eye and it petrified. For some reason recently the eye began to water and enlarge, protruding more and more and causing Daisy pain.
Sam, our farm manager, was our driving force. When he heard that our visitor was a surgeon for animals he set things in motion to get Daisy the help she needed. Anesthesia was the critical need. Drs. Otto and Tina joined our on site vet in performing surgery.
A happy team after the successful operation.
Otto and Tina also spent time with the babies. Here they are with (l-r) David, Mama and Kenny, Rebekah.
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Greetings from Mama Arlene in Rwanda for April 2011

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A month with mixed emotions. This year marked the 17th anniversary of the devastation caused by genocide. There are those who say it never happened. Rwandans know the truth and suffer loss because it did happen. The message for the people of Rwanda this year was Remember, Know the truth, Respect yourself and your neighbor.  Rwanda weeps and in their hearts they pray to God and speak to the world saying, "NEVER AGAIN" 
This April also is the time of remembrance in the Christian faith. There is a difference because as the time of Lent concludes there is a Celebration and great joy. The Lord has risen.  Respecting the heartache and sadness of Rwanda and proclaiming the great joy of  a risen Christ becomes a challenge for those of us who love Rwanda and spread the Good News of Christ. I am sure there is a sermon in there.  It is good to remember and it is also good to move forward at the same time.