,

Project for April

,
The on-going project for Urukundo Farm to be a major producer of broilers and eggs is getting close to being accomplished.  We just need more space and the building project will give us this. The building project in the pictures below shows the progress made so far. We have a market for the broilers with MR CHIPS RESTAURANT in Kigali City. He would like for us to deliver at least 200 broilers a month. Now, that is reaching but with God all things are possible. 
Broilers
Construction in progress.
,

Vincent's Journey to the USA

,
April 19th saw the start of Vincent's trip to the USA.
The kids helped load his luggage.

Last minute instructions 
Vincent is presently business administrator at Urukundo Foundation working with Felicitie, our home administrator.
Oscar in the picture is helping out while Vincent seeks further training in school administration in the USA.
Trip in trouble already! The car would not start so our guys came to the rescue and they pushed.  It started.  I think we need a new battery.

Nice down hill grade pushing worked this time.   Vincent is on his way.
We received word that Vincent arrived safely and is staying with his hosts Carol & Steve Falke in State College, Pa. 
Vincent's journey is to better equip him as administrator for our Urukundo Learning Center of which Cyakabiri Preschool is the beginning phase. The next phase is the Primary School. With help we hope to open the first class rooms in the primary school for the January 2013 term. God in Charge.
Please notice the lovely Snap Dragons along the wall. These seeds were sent to us by flower lovers in the US. Once planted they continue to grow and spread. We have no killing winter frost. Thank you flower people. You make our land more beautiful.

Other seeds needed:
Romaine lettuce, pickle cucumbers (I'm not sure about these - is there a special cucumber for pickling??).
Snow peas

Visitors for April

Lycee and his family paid us a visit. Many of you will remember this young man as the bicycle champion with one leg.
Lycee lost his leg as a young boy to a land mine. He is amazing as he competes in bicycle races on a regular bike against others with two legs and wins the competitions. I've been proud to call him my friend since 2002, and he is a true friend to all of us here at Urukundo.
We welcomed Dr. Otto Fischer from Austria and the children from Verein Future for Kids – Zukunft für Kinder in Ruanda.
We had a wonderful time and his kids challenged our kids to a dance competition next time we get together.
Mama with Vincent (l) and Otto (r).
Visitors from Canada
Valeria Gagne and her mom Diane came for a day and returned to spend two more days at Urukundo and its kids.
Charlotte, another daughter, is coming to volunteer at Urukundo Foundation for an month starting June 8 and Mama was checking us out. We got a 5 star rating I think.
They bought a stone to be added to  the PATH TO LEARNING. while they were here.
During the school break from where she works, Amy Milkus, who is a very special person, came to work with us at Cyakabiri School. She worked very hard helping us prepare the new classrooms for the new students. Amy Milkus  is a tutor at Maranyundo Girls School in Nyamata, Rwanda. During the two weeks she was here she taught English as a second language to our Primary students and helped our teachers improve their English. After doing all this she found time to play with the toddlers in the nursery. Thank you Amy. The children miss you!

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!

,

Greetings from Mama Arlene in Rwanda for March 2012

,
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!

, ,

Cyakabiri School for Young Children

, ,
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.