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Performing Arts at Urukundo

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The arts are a big part of our program and this month our children were introduced to Ballet.
Megan Bensinger, a volunteer from PA, has been dancing since age 4 and did a fantastic performance for the children.
We have suggested when she returns she teach ballet to our kids. We would need slippers. If you have used slippers contact Megan walkingbyfaith5@aim.com
or send them to 
Urukundo Foundation
BP 179 Muhanga
South Province
Rwanda
Megan and the dance. Our kids were so impressed as were the adults.
Visitors and girls in a fashion show at the August birthday party :  our visitors wore traditional Rwandan dress while the girls wore fashions from everywhere!
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Umugunda

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Umugunda is a very important event in Rwanda. Every last Saturday of the month the government has set aside the morning hours for all citizens to work together in their neighborhood to make it look good. We at Urukundo are a part of that and as a team the work is done well and is fun.
This month was special because four of out toddlers became a part of the team. Vincent and Grace supervised them in their work.

The guards pitch in.

Serephine, Belise & Aline clean up trimmings.

The toddlers join in for their first Umugunda day.

Kenny, Kinela, Agid and Claude part of the team.

Vincent, Grace, Agide, Kinela, Claude, Luki, Neli & another Claude.

Piling trimmings Claude in red and Agide in yellow shirt and tan pants

Filling the bag.

Job finished.

Moving to next clean up area. Can you pick out the toddlers and name them?!

 

Volunteers in August

Volunteers were a blessing this month of August
Nathan and Anna from Puyallup, Washington spent two weeks with us. This was Nathan's second trip to Rwanda and first trip to Urukundo. His first trip was while he was a university student and he is now a teacher. His bride Anna came with him. We enjoyed their visit and the work they did for us.
Liz and Keenen - mom and son - are volunteers from California.
The team from Christ Church McKeansburg, PA:
One team member is missing. Sorry Bri. 
Sam Buck from the UK is a long term visitor. He is training to be a youth leader and is involved in sports, projects, English classes. devotions.  Sam arrived July 16th and goes home September 9th.
While they were here our August volunteers traveled to Inyanza, the capital of South Province, to the historic Kings' Palaces.  The three palaces range from the ancient to the present day.  They also visited the Art Museum, The Museum of Natural History at Butare and the Twa Pottery Center at Gatagara.  The visit to the Genocide Memorial in Kigali City gave them a realistic view of the happenings in 1994.

Greetings from Mama Arlene in Rwanda for July 2011

Hello from Mama Arlene, Urukundo Village and all its 42 kids. At the end of July all 16 of the kids from King David Academy, Shogwe & Lysee are home and it is a busy place. 
We now have children in three secondary schools. As they finish Senior 3 they move to a school more in keeping with their goals and ambitions.  Birthdays will be honored for July and August with Sumbosa and Fanta. The babies have cake and juice with candles to blow out. Such fun.
July has been blessed with visitors from the US and England and the weather has been wonderful.

Urukundo and the Community Work Together

The water project is nearing completion. The community, Urukundo Village and our schools will benefit from the water. 
Help to contain the water in a useable manner came from christians in State College Pa, Rotary in Canada, and North Carolina's Tina Pennington's "RAISED HANDS FOR AFRICA" Ministry.  We thank all who made this happen.
The next step is power to get the water to the top of the mountain and into the reservoir at the top. We are blessed with friends who are making this happen. More about this later.
Reservoir #2 at the top of the mountain.
Reservoir # 1 at the source of the water at the bottom of the mountain.
Reservoir #3 - clean safe drinking water with easy access for our community and our Village.

Our Kids

Soso our youngest to date plays peak-a-boo. About time for a hair cut.
Claudine with lunch on her face.
Claude #3 happy smiling boy.
Agide - not quite sure, but thinking about it.
Giselle finishing Primary school this year on her way to her future.
Claude will some day be a big business man in Rwanda.
Bosco wants to be a driver. We hope we can make it happen.

Our Volunteers at Work

Talia and Nicole from Bloomsburg, Pa. painting the outside walls of the Boys' House. A great job for a warm day.  Our kids did not think they could do it. The job was a success. The house is good for another two years.

Liz James, a volunteer from California, takes a turn in the kitchen.
Liz and her son Keenen from California are spending a month getting to share many facets of Urukundo and its children. 
Washing dishes and pans in the oversized sink is interesting work.
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Trip to Akagera National Park

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In May Jan Brown, the Cyakabiri teachers and the girls visited Akagera National Park.   The animals are wonderful and a delight to see.
Not to be outdone by the girls the boys with their benefactor Lisa, our visitors Talia and Nicole and several staff member made the trip also.
Each trip was different and the kids appreciated being invited to go on the 5 hour journey each way.
They packed a lunch and then munched on bananas on the ride home.

It was a long journey and a good time was had by all.

Animals include cape buffalo, warthogs, zebra, water buck mama and calf, impala, giraffe, older male baboon and hippos.

Urukundo Foundation and this mama want to thank both Jan Brown and Lisa Martilotta for giving such a wonderful opportunity to be shared by our children.

From the Farm

The roof is going on. Soon the cows will come. Thanks to you who helped get it the materials for the barn. It will be such an asset for our farm and providing milk for the kids is the objective. 
The barn nears completion.
Our kids and Cyakabiri school learn about feeding animals. These baby lambs lost their mother when they were born and the farmer has kept them alive by bottle feeding. The idea is to show the children different ways to provide food for babies.  The milk is cow milk and the children felt the container to know the milk is heated before it is given to the babies. The lambs follow the farm boy everywhere. They think he is their mother. He is the source of their food.
Update on Daisy the milk cow : after eye surgery Daisy has no more pain and doing well. She is expecting a new baby we hope. Vet will verify next week.