His first Sunday in our family Jacob was introduced to the congregation during worship. Pastor Antoine did the honors. We had not had a new baby for over a year and so the kids were excited.
Naming Jacob was a real pleasure for me. Jacob is a biblical name and that is good but Jacob also is the name of my father and so I was privileged to be able to honor my dad by naming a beautiful little boy for him.
Our outreach to the children in the community continues to be a success because so many of you care. Our goal was reached. Thank you for supporting this part of the mission. The photos are just a few of the children from the local community, Binunga Village, that Urukundo through your gifts are supplying basic needs for primary school.
Opening day at Cyakabiri Preschool and Cyakabiri Faith Primary School was a very busy day. Parents and children gathered. Many new to our school and all new to Faith Primary School. To add to our joy Claudine, our special child, started preschool. We were not sure how she would react but to our surprise and pleasure she fit in just fine and the teachers encouraged us to keep her in school.
After the opening ceremony the parents and kids visited both class areas. The final total enrollment for the schools : Faith Primary 56, Cyakabiri Preschool 140.
What a wonderful sight. The official opening and dedication of the schools will be in March. You are all invited!
Eight new stones were added in January. There is always room for more. Education, what a blessing. The gift that keeps on giving.
The Urukundo Faith Primary class rooms are bright, airy and cheerful for the students. Each child having a desk and chair is unique.
Pictures on the walls are both cultural and educational and add to a pleasant learning center. The seating arrangement makes access to every student easier for the teachers.
The view from the front of the school from our place on the mountain is spectacular.
Hello from Urukundo.
As I write this message Christmas has come but is not yet gone.The excitement of the season is winding down and that is as it should be. The spirit of Christmas should never be gone. Urukundo (Love) truly is what Christmas is all about. Now we set our sights on the New Year. The last year has had so many surprises and I am sure there will be many more in 2013.
Open your hearts and let the future begin. Be like the "SMALL PEBBLE IN A BIG POND" Start your day with a smile and watch it ripple and swell as it touches others.
HAPPY NEW YEAR FROM URUKUNDO
to
ALL THE EXTENDED FAMILY
Today was a red letter day. The furniture for the PRIMARY SCHOOL was delivered.
The children know this is not actually the birthday of Jesus but a day that we, as his disciples set aside to worship and honor his birth. It is a very special day.
On Christmas Day we celebrated the birthday of Jesus with worship. The kids had a program and sang carols in English : SILENT NIGHT & JOY TO THE WORLD. They worked very hard to get all the English words properly. The staff and their children joined us and after worship we served juice and cake donuts for all and gifts for the children of the staff.
The red hats with URUKUNDO on the front are a gift to us from Gary Ehrig. There were enough for everyone to have one. It was very special. Thank you Gary.
We celebrated the party, hardy, Christmas on Christmas Eve. Food, fun and gifts for all the children. Fanta, sumbosa, a tree, music, dancing and 2 gifts for every child. It took place after dinner. The little ones had their treat and gifts first and went off to bed happy. The older kids then had their party into the evening.
The food and drink was provided by the sponsor of Liliane (Carolyn and Mark) who sent extra money for us to be used for Christmas. Thank you.
The music was a gift from Jean Marie one of our staff. The gifts were from boxes sent from our support family and friends to be shared with the children. Thank you all. Talia and Meredith came for Christmas with a gift for every child. What better family support could Urukundo have?
The kids sat on the floor of Hope House and opened gifts together. each child received a gift from you and a gift from our visitors Meredith and Talia.
The little children sang Happy Birthday Jesus. We all joined in. I am sure there were smiles in heaven.
Going to the building site Dec 28, 2012 I was surprised by an inspection team from the Muhanga District.
Vice Mayor Fortune and Exec Secretary Rodger from the sector were part of that team. Our report was a good one. School will open January 7 and an official opening will take place in March. Dec 31 we start moving into the class rooms. This is an exciting time specially for Luki, Emmanuel, Nelly and Claude as they will help with the move to prepare their new class room for other students. The January Newsletter will have news coverage of the school start up. Don't miss it!
Sending kids to school who would otherwise have little chance of receiving an education is a worthwhile project.
Just a reminder that it's not too late for the 2013 school year, which starts soon. Your gift of $15 supplies one child with a uniform, shoes, exercise books, pens, a sweater and a back pack. Where could you find a better bargain? It will do your heart good knowing you are making a difference in the life of a child and these children are so grateful.
I hope many of you will consider funding an education sponsorship.
It was a wonderful birthday celebration and I can't wait for the next one in ten years.
Thank you everyone who contributed to the fund for the Primary School as a gift to me.
