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Christmas at Urukundo

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Sharing Christmas with the kids from the neighborhood was awesome.
I had the usual qualms. What if nobody comes?  I need not have worried. Over 150 kids from the very youngest up to secondary school age arrived. The little ones learned to play HOT POTATO & DROP THE HANDKERCHIEF and the big kids played football, basketball and volley ball. 
Cookies and juice were served, lolly pops and a small gift was given to every child under 12. A chocolate was given to the older kids after cookies and juice. Chocolate is a special treat here.
From the youngest to the oldest all had a good time.
Gifts for the children from the community.  Not enough so many received a packet of cookies. Next year we will
prepare more.

Greetings from Mama Arlene and the Urukundo Kids - November 2013

The month of THANKSGIVING has come and gone.  But the time for THANKSGIVING at Urukundo is not just a month. It is necessary to give thanks every day of every month, all year long.
Our blessings come on a daily basis. What are you thankful for?
I AM THANKFUL FOR;
My family  in the US who make my life worth while with their love and understanding.
My faith family who give me courage in this ministry.
The friends from all over the globe who love and support Urukundo and its kids.
My family in Urukundo Village in Rwanda both children and staff.
All of the faithful sponsors who care for the children at Urukundo Home and know them on a first name basis.
Those who send gifts to care for the missionary allowing me to continue in this Hope Made Real.
Another birthday. WOW !!!!
Good health and climbing a mountain at age 83.
I have so much to be thankful for.

Continuing the Gallery

Some of the older kids
Secondary school equals High school.
These were the little kids in 2006.
Abis, 16 years old, in Secondary 2.
Tresor has just finished Secondary School and qualifies to test for the MASTERCARD SCHOLARSHIP AWARD.  He is applying for further education with BRIDGE 2 RWANDA to be better prepared to take the tests and then apply to a university in the US through the MASTERCARD SCHOLARSHIP program.
This young man can use some financial help to accomplish his goals.
Alexander, 17 years old, Secondary 6.
The oldest of our 3 Claudes, 18 years old, Secondary 1.
Divine, 17 years old, Secondary 6.
Olivier 16 years old, senior 2.
Liliane, 17 years old, Secondary 3.
Esperance. We have two young girls named Esperance. This is the older of the two.
19 years old, Secondary 6.

Note to Sponsors

Check your status. Your gift to sponsor a child is so important. Did you send your gift for 2013? Please check.
Will you remember to send a gift for 2014?
If your circumstance have changed please do not hesitate to let us know. 
Knowing the economy in the US is iffy this gift must not be a burden to those who have supported Urukundo kids in the past years.
Much love and gratitude. Arlene

Addition to our Home

A baby girl has been added to our family. She arrived unexpectedly November 11, 2013.  We placed her birthday on November 8, 2013. Indications were she was 3 days old on the 11th.  She weighed 3 kilos, 6 lbs
In three weeks she is now 5 kilos. 

The name chosen for her is Jenett. She will be called Jenny.  I love nicknames, never having had one. There is just no suitable nick name for Arlene. Darn.

The administrator and head doctor from the MEDICAL CENTER brought Jenny to us. We are glad we are here to be a safe haven for these vulnerable babies needing the love we have to share.
 Vestine, Mama in charge of the nursery, receives the tiny baby girl,
Our stats for children under 7 is now at 19.

From the Farm

Christmas dinner for the Urukundo Family. These turkeys are a gift from Bruce and Margie Krogh and family. I really like buying them at the supermarket already dressed or undressed how ever you look at it. I don't like getting to know the birds on a first name basis. Oh the life of a farmer.
Bruce and Margie Krogh and some of their family from the US  are going to spend Christmas with the children at Urukundo. The Krogh family have taken Urukundo on as their Christmas project and are making Christmas special for our kids. We are so excited!
Urukundo's kids are preparing a program to present to our guests.
There will be a time of worship, the children will present songs of the seasons and a play about the arrival of the Christ Child.
They are practicing "AWAY IN A MANGER", "JINGLE BELLS", "HAVE A JOLLY HOLLY CHRISTMAS" and a few others. Such fun.
Jenny will play the baby in the presentation as Jacob at 10 months old would object, much like Johnny did several years ago. Johnny is five now.
Pictures will be in the December Newsletter and some on Facebook.
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The School

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Summer classes in English.  We are trying something new!  Urukundo Learning Center offered English class for 2 hours Monday through Friday for children from our home, our school and the community. These kids are 6 - 7 year olds.
This holiday in Rwanda is a 3 month holiday much like the summer shutdown for schools in the US and other countries.
Progress at school
Furniture for Primary 2 class rooms.
The desks have been delivered. Chairs to be delivered the end of November. Picture next month.
Desks stacked.

Visitors

Seems the most difficult thing for our visitors to do is to leave the children. Real attachments take place.
Abigail who said she never cries was in tears as she left the kids and Urukundo with the promise that she would be back.  The kids want to know when.
They are doing the exercises and Gymnastics and using the hula hoops as she taught them. 
It is so funny seeing them doing hand stands against the walls  and cartwheels in the garden.  In Rwanda "the garden" is the lawn not a place where we plant and grow seeds.

Visitors from Austria at the preschool 
Otto Fischer and his team spent an overnight at Urukundo following their trip to the source of the Nile. 
The men find the seats at the school a bit small for long legs.
Otto is a yearly visitor to Urukundo. Many of you will remember he is the Veterinarian who operated on Daisy's eye several years ago.  We look forward to his visit each year about this time. 
Otto's new camera takes great pictures.
Secondary Students and teacher from Green Hills Academy paid Urukundo Village and Learning Center a visit  in October. We were sorry our secondary kids were not at home to exchange ideas with this group.
They were most welcome.
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Reminder

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This is the time of giving from the heart. The gift of education is a gift that is not opened and then returned or put on a shelf to be forgotten.
Education is a never ending gift and so vital in the lives of children.  If every person who reads this message put a small check in the mail to 
HOPE MADE REAL
PO BOX 3222
WILLIAMSPORT
PA 17701
Imagine the impact that would make in the lives of our children at Urukundo and the children in this Rwandan community.
Your gifts have made this project a Hope Made Real for so many children.  Give from your heart with love.
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Announcement

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I am so proud to tell you I have two new great-grandbabies born in October: Mason Heusle Brown, grandson of Gerald Brown, my youngest son and Hannah Arlene Albawab, grand daughter of Barbara Brown Downs, my middle daughter. The grandparents are delighted. Congratulations to parents Tim & Krista Brown and Laura & Shaddi Albawab. If my count is correct I now have 18 Great-Grands. How very great is that?  I am so blessed.  

Great Gram Arlene

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Growing Kids and Views from the School

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I will send different pictures each month so you will know all the kids as they grow. I am in awe as they change so much and so fast. It would be my pleasure to send you pictures of all 48 kids at one time but the server would refuse because of volume.
The kids are well and looking forward to our seasonal holiday with no school until January 2014. This is a time when we are all together as a family at Urukundo Village.  I love having all the kids home.
Agide 6 years. Graduated from Kindergarten to First Grade in 2014.
David, 6 years old, 2013 Graduate, Grade 1 2014.
Claudine, 6 years old, a beautiful little girl. In Preschool and received a special award at graduation ceremony.
Sarah, 5 years old, number one in her class. Kindergarten 2014.
Rebekah 4 year old, preschool, still missing front teeth.
Johnny 5 year old, Kindergarten 2014.
Kaboss, 4 year old, Kindergarten 2014.
Kenilla, 6 year old, Grade 1, 2014.
After seeing the kids I want to share with you the beautiful land where we live in Rwanda. This is the view from in front of the primary school.
It will be interesting to see the new buildings develop on this land. The mountain view will not change.
View of the mountains.
Land for new classrooms.
Building area and view.
One day a secondary school.