Mama and three little girls came to Mama & Baby Project for help. Thanks to so many of you, we can help. The big girls like their new clothes. Lookin’ good. Baby is 3 months. She also received clothing for her age and size. Mama’s front porch is the distribution center. Love it.
We are careful to remember the other children in a family and give them something also. Don’t want hard feelings when the baby gets gifts and others don’t. Learned that from being the mom of five.
This little one is a first child, and mama is so happy with a gift of clothes. The baby girl’s name is Belise.
This little premie is loved by her mummy and Urukundo. Her mother came back to say thank you. I share that thanks with all of you.
Precious Stones
For a very long time, my kids have been bringing me precious stones. We have made a rock garden using the stones collected. The kids choose a word of the month and write it in the rock garden.
This months word:
Well, to me the stones are all precious, but the latest one is mind-boggling. Take a look at the latest precious stone the kids brought me.
Actually, I think it looks like a fish and is a shiny purple with cream-colored bands at its tail. Don’t know what kind of rock it is or where they found it, but it is beautiful. I will use it as a paperweight on my desk. Love it.
Tree Down
And the the tree came tumbling down. (This time not the wall.)
What a surprise waking one morning, looking out the window and seeing my front yard a jungle. During the night, a huge limb on the tree in the front yard decided it no longer wanted it be a part of the whole tree. It broke away and filled half the yard and the drive with it branches.
Soso, Jacob (little Benj) and Benjamin inspect the damage.
Wonderful Wedding
Weddings in Rwanda are fun -- especially if they are on our basketball court. Short walk to get there. Francois, who is one of Urukundo’s mamas in the boys’ house, invited our volunteers and mama to her daughter’s wedding. Tents were rented and erected, music played, ceremony took place and delicious food was served to the guests.
Sarah, myself and Anna dressed to the nines and attended the wedding.
The bride was beautiful. The groom handsome. 
The colorful decorations were breathtaking.
The day was fun.
My Joy
This little boy chose to sIt with me in worship. Don’t know his name. So cute.
Future Plans
With the help of family and friends, Urukundo continues to move into the future. Still in our goals for the next five years:
• Four classrooms for the Sewing Center.
• A two-story high school.
Without your help, we stand still. Blessings to all of you who are a part of this this mission.
July Newsletter
Lovely tribute to Urukundo:
Dear Mama,
I sincerely apologize for such a late follow-up. I was actually sitting in the Paris airport on my way back when I had originally sent this email with pictures, but for some reason it did not send. I wanted to thank you again for such an amazing experience; the love and kindness I received from Urukundo truly reaches beyond borders.
I have shared my experiences with many, and more importantly shared the new values and morals I learned with your community. The experiences I had will last a lifetime, and I am eager to return. I hope all is well. Tell the kids I said hello! And finally here are the pictures that were long promised....
God bless,
Peter
Project for the month and beyond
All Urukundo staff and kids helped to repair the entrance road leading to the house. I am grateful as the short road out of the compound to the main road was dangerous to walk on. I feared tripping and falling. Stones were in, out, angled, upside down and sharp. Catching my toe or foot on a stone and landing on my nose was not a good idea.
The staff and kids decided this would be an Urukundo project just for mama.
Forever and Younger Claude work as a team.
Big brother Bosco, at home for a break, pitched in and carried stones to the worksite along with the children.
Luki and teacher share the load by carrying stones and sand to the work area.Supervision on the job
Little Benj (Jacob) is on duty. He is a hard worker.
Jacob in Uniform. This navy uniform -- which was a gift from volunteers Bob and Amy Dove -- is just like the one Maintenance Manager Benjamin wears. Note even the boots are like Benj wears.
Teamwork. Jacob, Soso, both Claudes, David, Prince and many other children worked along with the adults.
Starting to place new stones. These will be covered by quality cement. I can’t wait to have a safe walkway. It will also be easier on the vehicles.
The kids were delighted to see Headmaster I’rene (principal at Urukundo Learning Center) carrying stones with them. He is such a good role model for staff and kids.
I am so proud of all. It was heavy work for the kids. Hard work for the staff. God bless them all.
Welcome home, brother
After 18 months in Seattle, Washington, USA, John Paul was finally coming home. His plane was due in Kigali at 3:10 pm. Wonderful. No, not so wonderful. John Paul’s homecoming had a few problems.
His flight from Seattle to Doha, Qatar, was delayed six hours, causing him to miss the flight from Doha to Kigali. Time was made up, and he was just two hours late getting to Kigali. So he still could be home in time for devotions with the kids and a photo. But that didn’t happen. There was an accident on the road from Kigali to home, and traffic was stopped for hours.
The kids waited until after 8:30 p.m.; then it was off to bed. JP arrived after 10 p.m. with only Mom to say welcome and no photo. We still needed a photo with him home and the kids loving him. The children are so happy he is home to stay. Big brothers are precious here at the Urukundo Home.
Visitors in July
Urukundo was very happy to welcome Bill Graf and some of his family members. Bill was instrumental in the first land purchase Urukundo made in 2007. That was when we bought land to house our chickens. In a short time, the land became the site of Urukundo Village and Urukundo Learning Center.
Pastor Alexi from the United Methodist Church in Kigali accompanied our guests. The visit was short but so appreciated.
Bill was accompanied by relatives Carolyn Graf from Sarasota, Florida, USA, and Steve Graf from Warner Robins, Georgia, USA.
Breakfast in Mama’ s home.
Janette is teaching Carolyn a new dance step
Janette is telling Jacob, “NO, NO don’t dance like that.
Do it like this.”
David is on the drum
Latest look at Urukundo
Bringing you, our friends up-to-date on development at the Urukundo Learning Center.
You have made this possible. Thank you.
Overview of Urukundo Learning Center
Top Level: Preschool, Kindergarten, Culture Center (brown roof), retaining wall site of future classrooms for the technical school for sewing, Cleared, leveled and ready to start building foundation. Water storage reservoir.
Second Level: Classrooms for Primary 1, 2, and 3.
Third Level: Restrooms for boys and girls. Funded by World Orphans Fund. Red Roof: Teachers Resource Center, Music Center.
Fourth Level: Classrooms for Primary 4, 5 and 6.
Black water tanks on three levels.
Photos by Jean Marie
The second photo provides a closer look at a portion of the compound.
Space and construction begin for four classrooms to move the Sewing Center. The retaining wall indicates where the new classrooms will be constructed. I’m looking forward to when the Sewing Center will be part of this picture. The Sewing Center now is in a rented space which is scheduled to be demolished when a new road is completed. It is urgent we get the center moved into a new building before that happens.
In process: Clearing done, Leveling done, Retaining wall built. Need funding for foundation and construction. To construct one classroom costs $25,000, or $100,000 for four built at separate times.. To build four at a time, the cost is less than $75,000. A savings of over $25,000. Our aim is to build at lowest cost for quality work.
Would you like to help? Gifts appreciated.
Friends have responded to what has been built so far. Friend Lisa in Switzerland said, “You have built a dream many only talk about….Pretty sure that’s heaven there. So well done, Mama.”
Friend Drew from the USA said, “Quite a learning center indeed! Great photos!”
Volunteer from England
Charlotte Earl is a student nurse from England with a love for children and a heart of gold. 
Charlotte came for 19 days to volunteer at the Urukundo Learning Center. She and the kids connected with love and activities. She was a most welcome volunteer. She advanced our health program at the school, shared devotions in the evening with the home kids and monitored exams at the primary school. She had a busy time while she was with us. Love you, Charlotte. Mama & kids.