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Graduation

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70 children graduated from Kindergaten at Urukundo Learning Center on October 25, 2014. What a glorious day it was.

All students and parents preparing for the Parade.

The march from the school to the site of the ceremony was awesome

This scene takes place along the road for the neighbors to witness our graduates, students and parents. They made a very long line.

The parade coming in at my gate.

Very serious.

Our guest of honor was GASPARD RUTEGESHA from the board of education in the Cyeza Sector.  He took part by shaking hands and giving each child a certificate.

I felt very short today, my five foot one next to this six foot 7 gentleman. It's a good thing I was sitting down.

He was our honored guest and main speaker.

 

The president of Urukundo Foundation's Board of Directors Hildebrand Kanzira spoke, encouraging the children and their parents to place much value on education.

Even I added my 2 cents' worth, using the back of a chair for support.

A first at our graduation celebration: the music and art department presented a program for our entertainment. Bono the music teacher traveled from Kigali to be here for this occasion. Bono is from the Kigali School of Music and teaches twice a week at Urukundo Learning Center.

Intore translated means 'an all-boy dance team'. The boys did a great job. Keeping the culture alive for the children is so important.

The girl dancers were not to be outdone and we were delighted.

Diplomas were held high.

I have so many wonderful pictures it was hard to decide which would give you a clear picture of the event in the lives of the children and the program you are making possible by your gifts and donations.

Thank you for helping make a difference.

 

 

 

 

 

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Greetings from Urukundo Village for September 2014

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September has been an interesting month with some good and some not so good.

I guess that would be considered normal in this place and time.  I wondered what I would have to write about this September.  Each month I think there is going to be nothing to write about until I start to write and there it is.

HMR Board member:

This month's visitor is very special. He is a board member for HMR and this was his first visit to Urukundo.  We are so blessed. The kids love Tom Nunnally.  He is the perfect grandfather image for them. It was a struggle to see who would sit next to him in Worship.

Tom showing the kids where he lives on our world map.

 

This Picture and Article is such a Happy Surprise!

An unexpected and very welcome visitor came to see me this month after 5 years of silence.  I was so happy to see her. Many of you will remember this young girl. He name is Delphine Uwingabire. She needed serious surgery to save her life.

Do you remember

She came to Urukundo in 2009 for help. Her story touched our hearts.  We reached out and you provided funds for her time in the hospital and her surgery. The surgery was successful and today I welcomed a healthy young girl. It was such a delight to see the happy smile and the twinkle in her eyes. We sometimes wonder if what we provided funds for was ever done. A picture is worth a thousand words. This girl’s smiling face is a testimony to your love and mine making a difference when it was needed.

Thank you and thank God for the blessing of this wonderful day and this beautiful girl’s life.

Education Improvement

Knowing how important good English is to the future of Rwanda and the business world we have taken a big step to be sure we are doing our best in Urukundo Learning Center.

Having an English teacher to teach the children is not enough. Every teacher no matter what subject is in fact teaching English good or bad. The children copy the teachers and so it is equally important the teachers improve their English to better help our children.

We have been blessed by a professor who teaches English in a local university and has come to Urukundo Learning Center as a volunteer in our school system.

He will be head of our English program for both our regular school program and for adult education.

He is looking forward to working with other volunteers who come to help improve English skills at the Learning Center and in the community.

Education background:

Diploma in Business studies.Certificate in Education. Certificate for teaching English both spoken and written.  Computer training. Microsoft, Excel, and Internet.

Five mornings a week Felix teaches an English class for teachers and office personnel. In the afternoon he teaches 2 classes. One for Basic English to beginners and a second class of conversational English to advanced students. These classes are offered not only to our staff but also to the community. His classes consist of reading, writing, grammar and speaking. 

Felix Nshimyumuremyi  M.B.A.  B.B.A. has joined our staff.

One class group for basic English.

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Changes at Urukundo Village

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Maggie who was coordinator for our school is now a businesswoman. She has opened a shop where she hopes to start a career that will provide a wage for herself and her child.

Maggie goes from being an employee to working at Urukundo Village as a volunteer. It is good to know we are not losing Maggie because she is loved by the children and will continue to work with them.

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Visitors

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Kaboss had special visitors in September.

Diane & Bill Currier, part of his sponsoring family, came to see him. They brought him two wonderful books and other surprises that he shared with all the kids.

Before they left Urukundo Village, Sam, Jacob, Chris and Sally Buck and Jonathon May gave a donation to have a stone placed on the PATH TO LEARNING at the school.  A gift to the education fund. Our path continues to grow, as does our school. 2015 will see the first P3 class.

Position on the path.

Our Family Grows

This newsletter is hard to write. My heart is aching for this little girl who has been left alone in this world. I thank God that there is Urukundo (love) here in this place. I am grateful to all of you who make it possible for us to reach out and give this child a home where she will know she is loved and cared for.

This beautiful little girl has joined the Urukundo Family. We are happy that we are here to offer a safe haven to this child in need.

Her story is a sad one. Her mama was our neighbor and friend. Betty was a single parent with two small children - a 3 year old and a 1 year old. Betty died quite suddenly a few weeks ago leaving her two little girls. The day we buried Betty, her 3 year old also died. The deaths were not related but both were tragic. It was necessary to go through the proper channels to bring the 1 year old to Urukundo. The paper work is completed and she is here and has a home where she is loved.

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Greetings from Urukundo Village - August 2014

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Hello from Urukundo

August has been very busy. Our kids out of school, visitors from abroad, construction for the nursery and dental initiative. There was just a lot going on.

Arlene's Advice

I would give  this advice.  Do not eat papaya like cantaloupe, and do not eat peanuts before your stomach is recovered from excess papaya. If this is not clear, drop me an email and I will expound on the subject.

Lesson Learned.

OUR SECONDARY KIDS

Having the big brothers and sisters was very exciting for the little kids and for me. It is really a fun school vacation time. Even though they study during the time it is more relaxed.  They take part in the evening devotions and play with the little ones at Hope House.

Our Photo Shoot for August.  Secondary Students, some not all. How they have grown! All are now taller than me and better looking. Abis second year secondary.

Lucie our candidate for the ministry. She graduates from Secondary (High School) this year. Her goal is to be a pastor.

Divine

Amin

Claude

Esperance

Immanuel

Bosco

Cecelia

Jason

He does not expect to graduate from Secondary School until 2032. Please be there for him.