Rock Garden New to Urukundo Kids

For a long time, the children have been collecting and giving me precious stones. These stones are unique as there are many colors and crystal-like particles in them. They are beautiful, but I needed to do something with the stones. My bedroom was getting crowded.
What better than a rock garden?

The kids loved the idea, so a part of the garden was set aside for the rocks. Their first message was HELLO FRIEND. The second was a welcome home for Mama. Each week, the kids will choose a word they all want to learn and will spell it in the rock garden with the little stones. Oh, yes, the stones are many sizes.

Love it.
Mama spent a two days in Kigali. The children welcomed me home with this word and a photo in the rock garden.

Love these kids.

Visitors in February

Linda and Theresa came from Germany.


Delightful visitors, but their time was very short.
Volunteers Linda and Theresa had dinner with the kids.
Day care kids got butterfly stickers with visiting teacher Cheryl.

Cheryl, from California, USA, spent the month of February teaching in our primary and preschool and spending time with our kids. Come back soon, Cheryl.
Of course, the kids had to make funny faces. That’s what kids do.

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Computer Training


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New to the Urukundo sign is ICDL.

School, Dental, Foundation and now ICDL for computer training.

With ICDL, an advanced computer training class with qualified teachers is available to the community.

Police, bankers, businesspeople, district employees and any other interested groups or individuals are invited. Classes will begin in March 2018. They are in process as you read this sign.

To those readers in Rwanda: Delighted to have you join us. Call 0788919754 for information.

It might be a bit of a trip from outside the country, but you are also welcome.

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January 2018 Newsletter

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Here it is: another whole new year given to us as a gift. What new beginnings will we make in 2018 and how well will we work with projects from 2017 that were not finished?

Looking at our 2017 goals, many were accomplished. The building project for Preschool has been finished, giving us six Preschool classrooms.
Primary 1 through Primary 6 now have 12 classrooms. This was completed ahead of schedule.

A new guardhouse at the gate of the village is under construction. This will give our guard protection from the rain, and he still will be at the gate.
One school bus was purchased, and we were halfway toward the purchase of a second, larger bus. I couldnít get a photo of half a bus. Sorry. But here's the first one we bought.

Six new teachers were added to our school in December.


Bob and Amy Dove joined the Urukundo family and plan to be here for a year. They are improving our school with added training for our teachers.
For a yearís stay, it was decided they should have a house of their own. They are living in a house about a two-minute walk from Urukundo Village. Great to have this young couple with us.
Amy at work

Our community outreach focus is getting the ICDL computer center off the ground and running. This is Bob Dove's project. It is ready to roll.
Bob putting it all together.

Construction of the new computer lab and teaching center for the ICDL and the school is complete. They are in operation. More computers are needed. If you are upgrading your present computer and it is still good, think about contacting Carol Falke (falkes@verizon.net) and dispose of your old one for a good cause. It must be not junk.

In 2017, we welcomed Pastor Yves to Urukundo Worship Center as spiritual guide and counselor for the staff, children and community.
Yes, 2017 was an awesome year, thanks to all of you.


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Setting Goals for the New Year and Beyond

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SETTING GOALS FOR THE NEW YEAR AND BEYOND
Goals for 2018 started out with purchasing the second half of a bus. That already was accomplished in January. The bus is bigger and can bring more of our kids safely to school. It has been painted the school bus color, its title was changed and it was inspected for 2018.
SECONDARY SCHOOL (HIGH SCHOOL) IN VISION The main and GREATEST goal may be a bit harder to achieve. (God in charge; all things are possible.) That goal is to fund and build a Secondary School (High School) to be added to our school system. WE NEED YOUR HELP.

The first Secondary School gifts to kick off the project are here. Add your name to the list. No gift is too small; no gift too large. Designate the gift: Secondary School.
Michael Jerro   USA        Amount $100
Lace Ladies     UK         Amount $200
Thank you, Michael and the Lace Ladies.

 

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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