Younger Set

Kavine Nelly.

She just wants to grow up in a safe and loving place. 

David ready to reach his goal, which is some day to go to America. He expects to go in a big airplane. 
That is a good idea as it is to far to swim or walk.

Kenny likes to play Memory and eat bisquits (cookies).
The kids do get two cookies each day after play and before they go to the evening meal, when we have them.
They get candy occasionally but not too often as we are protecting their teeth. Candy is given out early afternoon. Mamas do not need a sugar high close to bed time - ask me, I know!
Jacob is now cutting teeth. That's a full time job.
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Progress on School Project

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We are negotiating with a builder for desks and chairs. The desks open.
Each set costs 21,000 rwf. Don't panic. That is about $32 USD for a desk and a chair. 50 students will move to second grade.
Pictured below is what you will be giving to the first class and future classes with your gift.
Cement under overhang completed. 
The first coat of rust-proof paint on windows, doors and gutter is finished. Blue paint to follow.
The window glass goes in next.
Funding is needed. Appriciate your help.
This is the site of our next building project, we hope.
It will be a two story building saving land and will house grades 3 & 4. This land is for sale. We need it, and we need partners.
A donation to Hope Made Real reduces your income tax as we are a 501(c)3 organization.
Think about it. What better way to spend your hard earned money?

Newsletter for July 2013

Hello Dear Friends and Family.
The saying from my childhood goes through my mind from early radio. Some of you may remember. "ITS A BEAUTIFUL DAY IN CHICAGO " Well I am not sure about that but "It is a beautiful day in Rwanda" Our weather is lovely but we do need rain. If all continues as usual August will be very dry. September starts our rainy season but with the climate changes who knows? There are important events in Rwanda to honor children and the day set aside as "DAY OF THE AFRICAN CHILDREN" is just such a day.
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Important Event

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During the year Rwanda honors its children with a special day just for them. I was invited to attend this celebration at a public school in Muhanga District. The Vice Mayor Fortunee addressed the children telling them how important education is to them and to the future of Rwanda.
Day for African Children. This day is celebrated every year to show honor to the children of Africa.
Children from Muhanga District participated in the event with skits, poems, songs and dancing.

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.