University Graduations are Special

We have made a difference in the lives of  7 of our staff. Four have already graduated from university and Julette and Etienne will graduate in the fall. I thank all who have been a part of making a difference through education in the lives of these young people. Kevin,  our first college graduate student is furthering his education in the US.
RECENT GRADUATE
Johnny teaches English as a Second Language at Urukundo Learning Center. Johnny's son is a student at Urukundo School for young Children.

Johnny has worked as a volunteer at Urukundo Center for Learning since 2008. We are very proud of his accomplishments.

Marie Claire came to work as a volunteer at Urukundo Home for Children in 2006. Thanks to a gift of tuition from Ken and Cindy Grieshaber, Marie Claire attended Butare National University and now is a graduate of the school. 

CONGRATULATIONS MARIE CLAIRE!

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Cyakabiri School for Young Children

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We welcome four new faculty members to Cyakabiri school for young Children.Urukundo Learning Center

Theogin, Teacher  

Alexis, Teacher's Assistant

Andrew, Teacher  
Solange, Teacher's Assistant
New Faculty Members
Part of the program at Cyakabiri School is teaching hygiene.  

Brushing teeth and washing hands are an important part of this program.

Playing in the water is also fun.

More cardboard bricks are needed. 

Volunteers of the Month

17 young Rotarians from SFB  came for a day as a work crew. They entered into the work in progress. After hours of labor and good food they joined the Urukundo Kids in a fast paced basket ball game. It was great fun for them and for our kids. I am delighted to say the teams playing included girls, our boys and the young men from SFB. Good thing too because they were all about 6 ft 8 and our guys are a bit on the shorter side.
Working in construction.

Painting Inside Walls.

Preparing the ground for planting. 

Urukundo's Cyakabiri School in Mission

Urukundo Learning Center lends a helping hand with much needed school supplies and clothes.
for children in another Preschool. 
Director Alian visits Urukundo Village.
Sharing our love and materials with Tumukunde Assoociation's preschool.
This is schools working together in Ministry for Education.

 

Urukundo Learning Center lends a helping hand with much needed school supplies and clothes.
for children in another Preschool. 

 

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.