Newsletter Special - Award Nomination

Urukundo Home for Children has been nominated for a RINA (Rwandan International Network Assocation) Humanitarian Award.

This award is given to individuals or organizations that have demonstrated significant efforts in improving the quality of life in global Rwandan communities. Nominees have directly addressed the needs of specific groups within the Rwandan community in the areas of health, human services, education, and employment.

We need your votes! Please take a moment to visit our RINA Nominee Page and click 'vote'.  The voting process lasts only for two weeks and the winners will be announced thereafter.

Forward to your families, friends and communities - thanks for your support!

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Greetings from Mama Arlene in Rwanda for March 2012

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Hello from Urukundo Village, Mama & the Kids.
After returning from a holiday time with family in the US things are back to normal at Urukundo village.  The boys, Claude, Emmanuel and Luki wanted a picture with me and it did not turn out too bad so I am sending it on to all of you.
I do not do pictures well but the new hair do helps, and it does make life easier.

 

A VERY SICK LITTLE BABY 8 days ago

Ready to come home.  

We are thankful for her recovery and return home. Her lovely pink blanket was a gift from Lisa Carter in North Carolina, USA.

MORE NEWS FROM THE NURSERY
The kids love crawling through the tunnel and hiding in the tent.

Fun toys arrived for  the play area.  Would really like a sturdier set for outdoors. This one is great for the younger set.

Nancy teaching with shapes and sizes

Rocking chair is still a favorite for myself and Nancy Ohrig. our resident Nurse.
The day I have been anticipating has finally arrived. News hit the nursery that mama had candy and I am not sure who the rin leader was.  Maybe SOSO (his legs are short but he can travel)! They traveled en masse down the yard, past the kitchen and arrived in my bedroom looking for the candy. 
They were happy kids as you can see but the babies staying in the nursery is now a thing of the past. They are so beautiful.
The mamas were close behind and they also got candy. I am so grateful we were able to buy the problem house and close the alley so the children are safe to come to mama's house.

 

 

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.