It's years later, but they're our babies.
Such a blessing to see them growing up!
Palm Sunday at Urukundo
Gathering
Walking and singing Hosanna
Amy Dove reading Scriptures; Bob Dove as speaker for the day.
First school term ends
The first term has ended. Exams are over. Children are waiting for their report cards.
It is an exciting time as a two-week holiday begins and secondary school brothers and sisters come home.
Please keep Urukundo and all our kids in prayer. We continue to pray for you.
February Newsletter
Love Is All Around
February is the love month. The perfect month for the LOVE (Urukundo) FOUNDATION. I hope each of you are our Valentine. There is so much love here with lots to share.
Belise and Esperance
Babies from Mama & Baby Center share love.
We are ever in need of infant clothes for Valentine babies who remain in our hearts.
More love. Kiriku, Joyce, Jacob, Banitha. Friends.
Betty is also a Valentine. She has been the main caregiver in the boys house since 2006. She should be a great mom when she has her own kids as she has had lots of practice in the years she has served Urukundo’s boys and girls. Congratulations, Betty, and a happy marriage to Etienne from Mama and all your Urukundo family. 
Thank you for inviting us to this happy event.
Child of the Month
Jacob
Jacob is very special in my life. As I have said before, I have the privilege and honor to name the little ones who come to us with no identity.
As a young mother, I dreamed of naming one of my kids for my dad, Jacob Robert Griffith. That did not happen. When this beautiful young baby boy arrived in our Urukundo family, my dream was realized. So you see, Jacob was named for my dad whom I loved very much, making him a bit special.
We think Jacob was born about Friday, Dec. 28, 2012. We call that his birthdate. He arrived at Urukundo on Friday, Jan. 4, 2013. He was seven to 10 days old at the time.
He was a wonderful surprise. A gift between Christmas and the New Year. Can’t do better than that.
This dear baby boy was found very late at night. He was kicking and crying. He was in a ditch along a side road in Muhanga District. He was out of harm’s way but not safe.
The police on patrol heard him crying and kicking up a storm. Why not? He was alone and hungry. It was late at night. So what to do? The police were wise and took this crying baby to the health center across the road from Urukundo Village. Good move. The hospital had no milk for the infant and sent the police and their bundle to Urukundo and our mamas. They were sure we had milk, and, of course, we did.
Jacob had found a home, food and love.
Jacob’s role model
Jacob has an idol. When asked what he wants to be when he grows up, his reply was, “I WANT TO BE A BENJAMIN.” This surprised us until we realized he wanted to be a man like our maintenance manager Benjamin. He follows Benj everywhere and Benj gives him work to do alongside himself. Construction is in his future as Benjamin is in charge of construction at Urukundo.
For Christmas, Bob and Amy Dove, who are volunteers living here and Jacob’s education sponsors, had the Urukundo Sewing Center make him a suit like the one Benjamin wears.
Jacob with Amy and Bob
What a fantastic boy!
He graduates from preschool in November 2018.
Urukundo assistant manager Jacob. Now he has boots also like Benj.
Jacob’s best friend is his Urukundo big brother, Tresor. This little boy is such a treasure.
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.
Computer Training
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.
Construction Underway
We are still building retaining walls. This one is a big one, protecting the library and classrooms. One extra plus is it does keep community citizens employed.
Last month you saw this work in progress. Now you see the finished gate house.
Secondary School Plans
On our way. Our hope is in you.
Long way to go. Prayers, please.
Donations
L. Ladies $200
D. Jerro $100
B. Stapleton $500
Thank you. Help us reach the top.
Mama Arlene
January 2018 Newsletter
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.
Setting Goals for the New Year and Beyond
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.