Visitors

Visitors from several states spent a couple hours at Urukundo. One of the most interesting people traveling with them was William Mwizerwa.
William and his family live in Tennessee, USA. He is Rwandese and originally from Gitarama, Muhanga District. 
William is serving in mission. He is Director of www.legacymissionvillage.org in the US. You might want to check his web site.
Their visit was too short. They were great fun and their time with the kids was priceless.

Juliet our staff secretary, John Paul and many time visitor Talia from Bloomsburg, Pa are puzzle fans. This is an important pass time now in mama's house.
Spending time at Hope House with the children is great fun for visitors and a big help to Mama Arlene.
Suzanne Sklaney worked the puzzle Noah's Ark with Claude and Agide.
Larissa Sinclair is learning to build blocks and knock them down. Our baby Diane and big sister Sarah are the teachers. Sarah is 4 years old a great teacher.
Kaboss is an independent thinker and loves this double sided puzzle. Talia is there to assist.
Talia now has a namesake in Rwanda.  Baby Talia is the daughter of Oswald our full time driver since 2009. She is as beautiful as the young lady she was named for.

 

Thoughts about Urukundo

Written by Jan, a recent visitor to Urukundo.

I went to the Urukundo Children's Home in Gitarama. I met Arlene, the founder. She is over 80 years old and has started this foundation which helps lots of kids all on her own. The love and dedication that she has for her work just dazzled me. It's incredibly inspiring to see how someone leaves their safe home (in this case) in the US, comes all the way over here to help people. Even if it means spending every last cent they saved up for their retirement. 

Yesterday I read somewhere that we live our lives as if we are never going to die and then we die as if we have never lived.  Well, maybe some of us do. But definitely not Arlene. When she leaves, and I hope it will be years and years before that happens, she is going to leave an incredible legacy behind. 

And she will have lived, indeed.

Sports at Urukundo

The future soccer team of Urukundo. First they have to grow into the shirts then they will be a great team.
Shirts a gift from Christian from Switzerland and his team of young kids. Kids helping kids - how great is that! Thank you Christian and team.
Basketball court marked out and ready for play.

 

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Path to Learning

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Two new stones on the Path to Learning.
John & Sally have visited Urukundo Village. Sally, a nurse, came in 2006 with a small team and returned in 2008 with John.
John is construction wise and taught mama about laying a plumb line and helped build the foundation for the boys' house.
The stone was a gift from their son Mike and his family.
Pittsburgh, Pa has its own stone. Thanks to a gift giver name unknown. 
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Greetings from Urukundo Village and Learning Center - June 2013

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It was such a blessing for me to be able to attend Solange's graduation from Rowe High  School in McAllen Texas. Solange has been amazing. She was able to complete 3 years of credits for High School in one year. This was done through hard work, dedication and a strong desire to succeed.
CONGRATULATIONS SOLANGE!
During my time in Pittsburgh I met with the art students of Propel High school. They have partnered with our kids and other high schools in PA. The project is HEARTS FOR RWANDA.
The project raised over $1200 to help with education in Urukundo Learning Center.
These are just a few of the kids who took part in the project.
Inside Propel High School
Students partner with students at Urukundo Learning Center.  I was honored to see Rwanda's Flag displayed  on the school wall.
The project consisted of the art students accepted art mats from the children of Urukundo added their ideas, mounted the art and added pictures of the Rwanda student and the Propel student. These were for sale. 
T-shirts were designed, printed and sold.  
HEARTS FOR RWANDA is a project founded and supported by SPIRIT WORKS YOGA CENTER in Pittsburgh.
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Homecoming

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I arrived home in Urukundo Village on June 12, 2013.  It was a very happy day for me as I was homesick for the children. Now I will be homesick for family and friends at home in the US!  Seems that is the way it will be.
I have recovered from jetlag and am catching up here.
The homecoming was awesome. When we arrived the gate was wide open with banana trees on both sides of the road. (this is a traditional indication of celebration.) The children, including Jacob and all the staff with Pastor Antoine, were in the yard at the steps waving and cheering. 
Johnny brought me a special flower.
The school children were in school uniforms and very handsome. They sang songs for me and were so excited. 
We did a group hug.
Hard to keep my balance but it was great!
                                                          
The staff gave hugs. There was colored ribbon and balloons around the door and a ribbon to cut to go in. Claude #2 held a wooden plate with scissors on it. I cut the ribbon and we went inside. More songs were sung by all and Pastor Antoine prayed thanking God for my safe return. It was truly a wonderful welcome. The kids each had a lollipop and the staff had chocolate, and know that treat was sent by family in America. 
Later in the afternoon visitors from the village stopped by to say welcome home.
Then it was back to business as usual on Thursday.