Volunteers at Urukundo

Benjamin Grange from France.

Benjamin is involved with solar energy and did some maintenance  on our solar connections and worked at teaching the kids how to Juggle colorful balls made specially for the sport.  This is not easy! We worked hard to juggle just 2 balls, while he juggled 5 with no problem.  He left the balls and the kids are practicing so when he comes back he will be surprised.

CLAUDE, ALINE, CLAUDINE, BELISE enjoy a photo moment with Benjamin.

Mother and Daughter come to Urukundo to help at the Sewing Center. Janet Murray and her daughter Angela from Canada.

 

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Greetings from Mama Arlene and the Urukundo Kids for December 2013

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December has been a month of memories. I am not sure how Facebook works but it does work. My birthday was filled with many surprises as I heard from so many wonderful people in my life and in the life of Urukundo and its special kids.

The birthday gifts for me that were sent to Hope Made Real were the perfect gift. Thank you. How to choose what to put in this newsletter is going to be difficult.

Kevin my first son in Rwanda ( 2006) adopted me and I adopted him. It was a mutual love relationship that has not changed with time.Solange, my precious girl, is now living in Texas and going to University. She is such a blessing and I am so proud of her. I miss them both at Urukundo but I know children grow up and move on. Having them wish me a HAPPY BIRTHDAY was a bonus in counting my blessings.

A trip on a bus to Kigali. How exciting.  It was all the kids talked about a week before the trip.  Most of our kids had not been out of our home village and Kigali proved to be as exciting as they thought. So many cars, and people and big buildings and police and soldiers and big buses. Little eyes could not take it all in.
The bus trip was only the beginning of this Christmas event.
The Green Hills Nursery had decided to honor Urukundo Home and Learning Center by making our kids "SECRET FRIENDS"  for their kids. Staff, parents and children participated to make our Christmas. The children at GHA were as excited as our kids to finally meet their secret friends. They shared play time and exchanged gifts and had lunch together.
It was a wonderful day.  Green Hills Academy furnished transportation for this trip. We thank them for the love. 
At devotions that evening our kids thanked God for their new friends at Green Hills Academy and for the many gifts given to them by other children
We were welcomed by Shamira the Principal.
The playground for tots was wonderful.
The Day Care Preschool team.
In the afternoon the Secondary (high school) students presented Urukundo with a check to support our school and home as well as many gifts of clothes, shoes and other necessities.
All the gifts under the tree were for Urukundo.

The whole team from the High School came to see us off.  Lucie, Anitha and I got in the picture.

A very tired but happy bunch of kids are ready to board the bus for the trip home.
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Gifts

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Each child received a gift. A Christmas tree ornament in the form of the BIRD OF PEACE was presented to our guests.  

On each bird was printed URUKUNDO XMAS 2013.
 
We became so involved in giving we forgot to take pictures of gifts under the tree. These bags were special. Each of our children received a bag with gifts just for them.  We prepared them before the great day arrived as is the custom for Christmas gifts if you are the mum.
This folding reading room was unique as gifts go.
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Celebrating our Staff

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The second day was a gathering for the staff and their children to let them know how much we appreciate their devotion in cooking, cleaning, teaching, guarding, farming and caring for our children. They also played games had juice and cookies and the children received gifts and the staff a small money gift. This was funded by donations from those who support Urukundo year around.

Hot Potato. When you lose you sit in the middle. It was great fun.

The two finalists. The guy in the red shirt received the prize!

Children of staff in center with our kids.
Christmas Day was for our family and invited guests. We thank Margie and Bruce and their family for providing funds to buy 3 turkey for our meal and for the gifts they brought for the kids. Ice Cream was a special gift from them. The kids had mixed feelings about the ice cream because it was too cold.
Christmas was wonderful but simple and we do thank all who made it possible.
Guests from Denmark. They later sang us a beautiful Christmas carol from their native land.
 Maureen and Kyle were part of the celebration.   
Joining us were Erica and Thomas from Sweden.
Bruce, Margie and son in law  Adam. Claudine in back ground.
 
Michelle gets a new baby girl, Iris is not so sure she likes that.
Mama & baby girl weary and ready for rest. Brother Isaac looking on.
THE SENIOR KIDS CHOIR sing Joy to the World & other Christmas songs.

The Christmas Story

If you have never watched  the Christmas Story with little ones under 6 years you have not lived. It was such a grand performance. The actors were the best. Costumes elaborate, directors award winning,

Their rendition of THE LITTLE DRUMMER BOY was unforgettable.  The best part is the kids under the direction of Anitha & Tresor did the whole thing by themselves.  I was so pleased.  This was an award winning presentation.   Wise men wait for their cue.
The door at the Inn where there was no room.
Following the star  Mary & Joseph.
The shepherds sing "AWAY IN THE MANGER".
The Wise Men bring gifts.
All sing "ON CHRISTMAS DAY".

  Whole cast and directors sang.   The Little Drummer Boy, Par rum pa pa pa.

Outstanding.  Take it from a pleased mama.

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The Farm

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Planting & Harvesting
December is when our gardens grow. This year the rains have been perfect. A beautiful lush green picture which has been hard work but worth every second.
Kitchen Garden cabbage this year. We rotate crops. Most of our seeds for this planting came from friends in New Ringgold PA and we are very grateful!
Corn & beans
Flowers make the gardens even more lovely.
The Animals
Our papa pig did a fine job.  Mama gave birth to 9 babies.

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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.