Breaking news
Urukundo Dental Initiative has applied to the Rwanda Health Department for recognition as a Community Service Organization.
DID YOU KNOW? The tooth is the only part of the human body that can’t repair itself.
With the new chair and 2 new dentists we are really HIGH TECH. Urukundo Initiative wants to say THANK YOU to all the wonderful dentists and others who helped us with materials, machines and dollars for needed supplies to make such a worthwhile program posssible.
All three singing groups are Urukundo Kids. This event only happens during school breaks. It's a concert of the best kind. Soso is dressed for Alaska I think!
Precious Gems - 5 & under
Urukundo Kids 6 & up
Urukundo Teens Choir made up of secondary kids home for the holiday.
Trio: Tresor, Divine, Anitha. With accompanist Lennart Westmark from Germany
The music was spectacular.
The sliding board is very popular. Even before it was ready the kids were trying it out. It is now a beautiful blue color. The gift to build the sliding board came from RAISED HANDS FOR AFRICA, a devoted group from North Carolina. Check their web site.
Urukundo is looking for funding to finish constructing the Primary school.
Is there an organization or family that would be willing to accept a grant request from us or consider giving us a low or no interest loan?
If so, we would appreciate hearing from you.
You can help make the Hope for a school Real.
The Buck family - Mom Sally, Dad Chris, sons Jacob and Sam were visitors for 4 days this month. Jacob’s friend Johnathan May came with them. Moses, their Rwandan friend, made the group complete. Moses taught at devotions, the boys and Mom worked at the Preschool and Sam, Dad and Moses helped with a painting project at the Boys' Home. They were a great crew.
We were honored that Pastor Boyd and Shirley shared their visitors with Urukundo in August. Their special delight was a visit from their son Matt. I am happy to be included in this family.
Three pals. Friends forever. UK, Rwanda, Germany.
Vincent returned to University in Uganda.
Chris is returning to England on August 30. Chris worked at the schools and taught Karate when the teacher was absent.
Lennart and his guitar are leaving for his home in Germany after an extended stay.
We will miss him especially at devotions where he played guitar and sang for the kids and for me. I am partial to guitar and singing young men, as my son Ted was such a man in his youth. He still plays and sings for me when I am home in the US.
I share with my readers pictures of my children in Rwanda all the time. I need you to remember I also have a wonderful family in the USA. I will share pictures of a few of them with you. Hope you don’t mind.
I am a proud mama, Gram and Great Gram.
Mason
Mama Laura, Dylan and Hannah Arlene. Both these little girls are special. Laura is my youngest granddaughter. Hannah Arlene is blessed (or whatever!) with my name.
Jamie and son Aiden, Jessica and daughter Juliane. Jess & Jamie are sisters.
Steve and Anna.
Dale and Patricia.
Saturday Morning at Urukundo Home is special. There is no school so the children have an extra hour of sleep and then gather outside for breakfast.
I am sending you an invitation to join the children for a breakfast of porridge and chapati on the porch at the Girl’s House.
Jacob likes Chapati too.
Cups hold porridge.
You met Josh and Audrey from Canada in the June Newsletter. Their visit extended into July.
Watch them grow
Last month: Rebecca, Claude III, Johnny, Soso, Yves and Kaboss.
This month:
Diana - two and a half years.
Kavine Molly, two and a half years old and loves Connect 4. She's determined to fix it. I love the tongue and concentration.
Luki, David, Kenny & Claude.
Gathering in Mama’s room.
Prince
Moved to the porch. Better place for pictures. They are beautiful.
Kavine Molly joined the group. She does not go to school yet but loves to be included.
Jacob before his haircut.
And after his haircut!
Our need to build more class rooms for the school is on going. Please consider getting involved. The Step by Step fundraiser mentioned in last month's Newsletter is about to kick off. Get in touch with Carol Falke, or Carol Baney if you can help. It will be a way for you to be more aware of your health and at the same time to help Urukundo improve the lives of children in Rwanda, Africa through EDUCATION.
I am looking forward to adding the pictures of the teams participating to the monthly newsletters. Get your team together and send me and the Carols a picture! Will you be the largest and most active team? Make a difference.
Thank you for your loving, caring and sharing.
Bill Graf from Colorado, USA first visited Urukundo in 2007. He was with me when we started to clear the land for the chicken farm. It really was a jungle then. He found it quite different now. This is his third visit.
Pastor Alexi from Kigali accompanied him. We were happy to welcome both.
Chris Bailey from UK teaching Karate in the absence of our regular teacher.
Chris has been volunteering in the school, at Hope House and at devotions. He came June 26 and will leave us August 3. He will hate to see him go.
Come back soon Chris!
The kids had a birthday surprise for volunteer Lennart Westmark from Germany.
He was surely surprised. Lennart plays guitar and sings at devotions, He is very talented and sings in German. He teaches in our music program.
Vincent from Rwanda is here for 2 months. He is a third year student in Uganda and is here to learn from Urukundo about what volunteers do when they come to work with us. Vincent is working at the school library, He teaches English, takes part in devotions and works with our P2 kids in reading English. He is an asset to our foundation and is loved by the kids.
Talia, our sister from the US, has been a visitor each summer since she was 14 years old. Talia is a second year student at Penn State University. She is so much a part of our family. She is holding Jason in the picture.
Talia left for the US today, July 26,2014. We look forward to her return next summer.
Talia is ending her yearly visit earlier than we would like. She had only one day to spend with the older kids. Her new love is Jason.
The four young people who have been with us have not only participated in all the activities taking place but added programs of their own. It was good for us and for them to be here for an extended time. They surely are loved at Urukundo Home and Learning Center.
When you add the youth from AEE to these four long term you know how blessed we are.
