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Another Thank You

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BAGS OF BLESSINGS
Christmas was extra special for our children, thanks to St. Paul's United Methodist Church, State College, Pa., USA. Over 100 bags were hand-decorated and filled with precious gifts for the children in Urukundo Village, Binunga Community of Muhanga, Rwanda.


Rowan Miller is one of the wonderful kids in the toddlerís class at St. Paulís Sunday School. They are sharing. The toddlers, moms and dads were an inspiration. Little ones willing to share with other little ones is what the love of Christ and Christmas is all about. These bags also can be used as backpacks for the younger children and for delivering infant clothing to new mamas passing through the MAMA & BABY OUTREACH.
Thank you, St. Paulís and all who made this special time even more special for over 700 children who shared the bags of blessings in a small town in Rwanda. You are a blessing to us.

Our kids were so excited.

Child of the Month

Egide

Egide came to Urukundo on May 7, 2011.
This is my favorite photo.

Sorry, Soso and Egide. Mama could not resist this photo.

Egide is a beautiful boy with love to give.  So happy we were here to help heal his little heart and return the love.
The Vice Mayor from the Muhanga District brought Egide to Urukundo. His story is limited. We do not know his date of birth, but, based on his growth and his teeth, we believe he was 4 years old.
This is the story brought to us:
A young woman was seen walking into the water at the lake carrying a small child close in her arms. She was wading out into the deep water, holding her little boy with tears running down her face. A woman who was watching felt something was very wrong and called for help. Several men nearby came at her call for help and went into the water to bring the protesting mother and the little boy to safety. The mother intended to drown herself and the little boy. Both she and the boy were pulled from the deep water in time to save them. We are so thankful for the person who came along at the right time.
His mom is Vestine and she is in a hospital for mentally disturbed persons. We are hoping she will recover from the trauma she has lived through. We pray for her.
Egide is a fine young man and very handsome. He just started fourth grade.
In December 2017, Egide earned his orange belt in Karate. He had a white belt and advanced so well that he skipped the yellow belt and now is orange. That is quite an achievement. Congratulations, Egide and Sarah.

Excursion to the Lake

It's a short walk as the crow flies to a manmade lake near our home. OK, so not near if you are walking up and down the hills, but an enjoyable walk for kids and adults.
Resting after the walk.
The lake really does exist. We love it.
There's jubilation on their successful return trip home. Pastor and Chanel took charge.

Special Visitors for January

Meredith Lu and fiancé Alex came to Urukundo mainly to introduce Alex to her Rwandan family. Their wedding will be in June 2018. Meredith has been family since 2009, and she is an important part of the family. Welcome, Alex.
Meredith has photos of the kids since they were babies, and the kids enjoyed seeing themselves as babies on her computer.
Saying good-bye is always hard, but saying good-bye to three of our family -- Meredith, Alex and my great-grandaughter Chanel -- at one time is especially a time for tears.
P6 kids in school uniforms

Past Visitors Remembered

Livine did homework with Jenna Barlow.  

The Flint family celebrated Christmas with Urukundo kids in 2016. This was an event to remember for us and we hope for them.  A delightful family.
Claude and John Latona of the Buffalo team shared laughs.
WE SO APPRECIATE THEM ALL. LOOKING FORWARD TO RETURN VISITS IN 2018.

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Successful Bus Project

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We are celebrating.
It did not take long to find out that the smaller bus was not big enough. Thanks to caring donors, we were able to negotiate for a bigger bus this time. Now we have a second, even larger bus to carry more children safely to school.

The smaller bus goes to the rural area and the larger one to the town.
Urukundo kids got the first ride in the new bus.
Headmaster, secondary kids, Betty and Mama also enjoyed the short trip.

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School Year 2018 Begins

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Urukundo kids are ready, willing and able.
At a traffic check at the village gate, there are no vehicles in sight.
Then there's a traffic jam. New bus arrives with students on board.
Kids, kids, kids.
Opening ceremony was impressive.

Kids meet teachers. Preschool classrooms are in the background. We are so blessed. Thanks to you who make it possible. There are 722 children who are getting a good education and 32 qualified teachers who have jobs.
This young man is not sure he approves of the whole process. Attitude is everything. Home is better. Oh, yeah.

THANKS

In this first month of the 2018, we at Urukundo say:
THANK YOU ALL
&
HAPPY NEW YEAR
Mama, Staff, Teachers and Kids

Catch the Vision 2018

Please give this serious thought.
We need your help.

URUKUNDO'S GOAL FOR THE NEW YEAR (2018)
Help make 2018 outstanding for Urukundo/Hope Made Real.
Your love and your gifts can make it happen.
Large donations, small donations can make it possible.

IN ORDER TO REACH OUR GOAL TO BUILD A HIGH SCHOOL FOR URUKUNDO LEARNING CENTER IN 2018, WE NEED YOUR HELP.
THE ESTIMATED COST IS $300,000 USD.
We have the permission to build. We have and own the land to build.
This amount will pay for CLEARING, LEVELING, retaining WALLS, FOUNDATION and STRUCTURE COMPLETE.
A grant would be a HOPE MADE REAL. Donations in any amount leading to the total amount would be appreciated.


With $100,000 USD, we can start the project.
HOPE YOUR CHRISTMAS WAS FULL OF LOVE AND FAMILY.
WE WISH FOR YOU ALL A HAPPY AND PROSPOROUS NEW YEAR.
MAMA & URUKUNDO KIDS
FAMILY