Visitor for March

Tina Pennington founder of the Non-Profit RAISED HANDS FOR AFRICA arrived for a 16 day work stay at Urukundo Village.

During her stay she learned how to make chapati.

Spent time with Diane at the King Faisal Hospital in Kigali. 

Shared hand made dolls with the nursery babies.

Worked each day in the Nursery         

Walked the water trail to see the source at the bottom of the mountain.

Witnessed babies from the village getting water to carry home.

All things considered she had a very busy and productive time.

Tina's web site. Check it out.
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A Way to Celebrate our Fifth Year, a Year Late

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It has been a long time coming but THE PATH TO LEARNING is finally starting as a way to financially support the development of our schools in the URUKUNDO LEARNING CENTER.
When Urukundo announced its 5th year in service to the children in Rwanda in 2011 it was suggested we should build a path and call it a PATHWAY TO THE FUTURE. There really was no place to put such a path and we were not sure where the future would lead. It was a good idea but it was not the time for such an event as God's plan for education to be our priority was very new. The time has now come. Education is our priority. The name has changed to THE PATH TO LEARNING. 
With a gift of $100 or more a stone will be placed on the PATH TO LEARNING. The stone will have the donor's name or a chosen word or the name of someone you wish to honor.   Here is the plan as it is seen.  Any suggestions would be welcome.
As the path develops the stones will be secured with cement to hold them in place.  The first stone will say THE PATH, Another stone will say TO LEARNING 
Then READING, WRITING,  SCIENCE, MATH, LANGUAGE, GEOGRAPHY, HISTORY, MEDICINE,  JUSTICE, COMPUTER TECHNOLOGY.
You can choose to sponsor one of these stones.  These marker stones will indicate what the path is about. The stones purchased with names on them will then make up the rest of the path. We will send you a picture of your stone when it placed on the path.
Pictures show the path as it has begun. It will be exciting to see it grow knowing the children in Rwanda are the beneficiaries of a life changing gift.
Your gifts will help us to build through education for the future.
 

The path is in front of the new building for classrooms leading to the original class room where it all started. Where will the future lead as Urukundo develops in education?

New stones added this week.  Stones ready for your name.
 
HELP BUILD A BETTER LIFE FOR RWANDA'S CHILDREN THROUGH EDUCATION
The April DENNY'S  event should be a big boost to our education program. Check your local DENNY'S and participate in it if possible.
ENJOY SPRING AND ALL ITS PROMISE OF NEW LIFE. 
Urukundo will also celebrate the joy of THE RISEN CHRIST. 
Starting in  April Rwanda  honors with sadness the loss of families during the genocide. 
Please keep Rwanda in prayer as all  travel through this rather difficult 100 days.
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Greetings from Mama Arlene in Rwanda for February 2012

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February the traditional month for sharing love, and it has been such a month for Urukundo Foundation.

The month has been filled with outreach ministry to the community, schools and other NGOs.  I also received my share of love when my youngest son, Jerry came to visit and share the work at Urukundo Village.
It was the perfect valentine's gift for me, and my yard is most beautiful because of the work he did.
Notice the heart - my reminder of his visit and his love for all Urukundo kids and me.
Not an easy job but worth the labor.
Tools of the trade, no mulch, just beautiful work well done.

Jerry was a big hit with all the kids, especially the little ones. They ask where is Jorry?
Emmanuel and Agide with Jerry.
Sarah and Jerry.
Claude was Jerry's shadow.  The two 'Mr Fix-Its'! 
Jerry returned to the US February 17th.  Needless to say, the kids were not happy.

Going to the US

The month of February was eventful for our sister Salonge. Urukundo was successful in applying for a Visa to study in the US and Salonge  and her sponsor Rev. Sharon Landis departed for Texas where Salonge will continue her education.
Our prayers go with her as she embarks on this new journey.  Salonge is missed here and much loved.

 

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February Love Month

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OUT REACH TO THE COMMUNITY

A Dental Clinic was held, supported by the love of Urukundo Foundation.  Doctor Richard Reckmeyer DDS, MBA of RURAL RWANDA DENTAL from Peoria, Arizona is a long time friend of Urukundo Kids and Mama Brown.  He came to Gitarama armed with tooth brushes and a story to tell about teeth and how good oral health means a healther body. Doctor Rick, along with a trainee, spoke and taught at Urukundo Village and 5 schools in the Muhanga District. We thank the District for working with Urukundo Foundation to make this possible.
First Dr. Rick worshipped with the Urukundo family.
Dental team : Misty, Deb, Doctor Rick & Denis.
Dental technician Deb at worship with the kids.
They then took a tour of Urukundo Village ending on top of the mountain where the boys had a great time fixing Rick's hair.
The top of the mountain.
The hard part for Misty - saying goodbye to Claude.
Love is plentiful at Urukundo Village.
 
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More Outreach

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90 children, both boys and girls, attended a Basketball Clinic/camp at Urukundo Village. The Clinic was held by Rob Thomson.

Rob is an American/Rwandan citizen born in Pennsylvania wearing the #12 Uniform. He is 6 ft 10 tall.

 
First team up for instructions.
Rob Thomson giving some tips.
Coach Ryan Turcott.

Coach Jacque Bahige.

Abis, Rob, Bosco & Claude.

 

 

Water and Solar Pump Project : the Latest Update

So much has happened this month of February. I hope our readers are not asleep by now. We are so grateful to all our Urukundo friends and family - because of you, this is all made possible.  I stand and cheer for you and ask blessings for you.
The water project, with solar electricity is a dream come true for me and for the community.
Celebrate with us. The water is a gift from God. The ability to accomplish this work is a gift from those who want to make a difference. You have done that for this community and Urukundo Village in Rwanda, Africa. Please continue to keep us in prayer.
Our neighbors and friends came out to celebrate this occasion of WATER.
There are so many who made this possible. I hope saying Rotary International, Central Pennsylvania UMC members and friends is sufficient and covers everyone. Previous newsletters list each contributor.
Cutting the ribbon.
These brave souls hiked to the bottom to view the source of water.
The stone was too hard to mount the stone.  We did the best we could without drills.
Solar Panels and Rotary International emblem.
Young Rotarians touring Urukundo Village.

 

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Progress Report

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Progress report on classrooms for Cyakabiri School for Young Children, the HEART of Urukundo Learning Center.
We hope to be ready to open the new class rooms for the April term.  We are working to make this HOPE REAL.
Furniture, a water tank and a sealer for the bricks are part of the building process yet to be dealt with. Looking for a project??  Here are three very necessary ones to consider.

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Greetings from Mama Arlene in Rwanda for January 2012

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Hello from Urukundo Village.
What a blessing it is to be home to warm weather. I love Pennsylvania but winter is not the time to visit there. Snow is beautiful from inside the house. Sunshine and warm is better. 
Yes, I am home with the children and what a joyful reunion it was. There were flowers everywhere. Hugs and tears from the older kids and staff and many knee hugs from the toddlers. I keep wanting to call them babies but truly they are toddlers. Even Soso has moved out of the baby category. His little legs let him travel fast.
After greetings the Kids gathered around me in my living room and sang "OUR GOD IS AN AWESOME GOD" They prayed and thanked God for bringing me home to be with them.
A bouquet of flowers was handed to me.  These flowers grow on our land.
My bed room and Office door decoration.
The perfect Birthday present for my 81st birthday may sound a little strange, but for me it was such a pleasure when those who honored my birthday each came or sent a gift of Legos. This gift will be appreciated at Urukundo Village and at the Urukundo Learning center for years to come.
A special thanks to all who were a part of this wonderful celebration.
The Legos were moved from their wonderful containers into Zip Lock bags to make transporting easier. I thank my daughter Patricia for hosting the birthday party and for gathering and zip locking the Legos. Even after bagging, 2 large suitcases were needed to bring my treasures home.
Mama the teacher.
Checking the little book for directions. It takes a kid to deal with this. Adults find them interesting and difficult, including me. But we work it out. The Legos are a great learning tool dealing with colors, sizes, combinations and following picture directions. Every Mom, Dad and child should work on the project together. Both will learn patience.