In my house

Preparing a little bit before Christmas.

I want to share with you my bit of Christmas joy. The little tree is my American side. The backdrop is Rwandan culture. Combining both is my lifestyle. These nativities crafted in Rwanda and locally are so special to me. The doves of peace and red ribbons make for a simple tree decoration.

I am so blessed to have all of you in my life and ministry.

An even more special tree. The ornaments on this tree were created by my Rwandan children. On the back of each ornament is the child's name and the year it was created. I love the decorations on this tree.

Party for community children

Each child received cookies, a lollipop treat and a small gift on Dec. 24.

A bit smaller than expected. Covid is still a concern with parents and gatherings. The kids enjoyed watching an animated movie about the birth of Jesus. Like the children, I enjoyed hearing the animals talk as they took part in the birth.

Bob the builder was an added attraction.

Message from Mama  

December is special in my calendar year. I thank everyone who took the time to extend birthday wishes to me. Thank you. It is a joy to be remembered. More importantly, I thank everyone who took this month of giving and reached out to Urukundo/Hope Made Real and its mission to the children and families in Rwanda. Your support makes a difference for so many.

 

Happy New Year 2023!

Dental Clinic approval

Urukundo Dental Clinic was given approval as a Health Care Facility in Rwanda. The dental clinic is registered with the Rwanda Development Board, and we are official. We are in the new building, and the new license has been issued.

Thanks to all who helped make this happen.

Dental Clinic in progress. Handicap parking and ramp are a must.

We are thankful for improvements to the Dental Clinic.

From this ...

to this.

From this …

to this.

From this …

to this …

and this.

Sterilization is so important. The old sterilization room.

The new sterilization room.

What a difference the move has made for our dental staff and clients!

The renovation is complete except we are waiting for our new chair to be delivered. The room is ready. This chair will be for orthodontics.

Urukundo Learning Center

After several months of no assemblies because of Covid, our students had an assembly.

Various school clubs  available for students to join gave presentations. It was awesome.

The November assembly for students and teachers. Kids enjoyed a break after a month of hard studies. Fun is important along with school work. The various clubs gave presentations to the student body.

The English Club did a radio broadcast with news, weather and interviews.

The French Club sang songs (of course, in French).

Karate Club

Karate Club is now part of the extra school activities. The team demonstrated moves.

Dance Club

Cultural Dance Club in action. Beautiful!

Kinyarwanda Club

The Kinyarwanda Club did a presentation on the calabash, which is a large gourd used to churn cream from milk to make butter in early Rwandan culture.  Mom and Dad were teaching the children the history of the calabash and its use.

It's the season

We are preparing to share the gifts we received from you with more than 700 community children.

Little girl gifts

Hair ribbons, bracelets and My Little Pony with hair brushes.

Hair ribbons, bracelets and My Little Pony with hair brushes.

Just a few of the gifts we received are toothbrushes; coloring books and crayons; pencils with notepads; Matchbox cars; and stickers.

We thank our donors who make giving gifts to children a real pleasure.

Soft and cuddly stuffed animals are new friends and work well for the little ones. They are such fun.

New and slightly used clothes make great gifts.

Like all kids everywhere, our kids love Legos.

These packaged Legos are great for boys and girls.

The youth at St. Paul's United Methodist Church in State College, Pennsylvania, USA, packaged Legos and sent them for our youth.

I hope these young people in State College know how much they are appreciated and how they have enriched the lives of children in Muhanga, Rwanda.  We are grateful.

Giving is not a matter of age. It is a matter of love.

Betty Knouse, 91,  joined the youth at St. Paul's UMC in filling a need at Urukundo Foundation/Hope Made Real. These receiving blankets are so appreciated and needed.

Hi, Betty! We share an age, but I will pass you by turning 92 in December. We are awesome women

Other donors include the kids from Park Forest Village United Methodist Church in Pennsylvania, USA. They gave the gift that keeps on giving.

Books for Urukundo Learning Center Library. So appreciated.

Books for Urukundo Learning Center Library. So appreciated.

Our staff pitched in and helped wrap the presents.

Colored tissue paper, tape and willing hands. Gift wrapping in progress. Eric, Urukundo’s executive secretary, lent a hand. His help is appreciated.

We are in the computer age. Checking the list of our staff’s children under 12  was made easy. Chantel, co-manager of the daycare, is checking it twice. We give a gift bag to each child and make sure their names are on each gift.

Message from Mama

Please remember that the greatest gift is love during this season of loving and giving.

Of course, a donation would also be appreciated. Please send to:

Hope Made Real

PO Box 3222

Williamsport, PA 17701

USA

Or donate on the website, hopemadereal.org.

Hey, this is a sneaky way of getting in a commercial.

Seriously, your love and support are so appreciated all year long, not just at the season when we are all THANKFUL and counting our blessings. As Tiny Tim said in “A Christmas Carol,” “God bless us, Every one!”

Because the December newsletter comes out in January 2023, I wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Giving Tuesday Special

To friends of Urukundo Foundation / Hope Made Real.

I am told that the first Tuesday after Thanksgiving has been designated a time to give to your favorite charity. If we are among your favorites would you consider giving? Any amount would be appreciated.  Our children need study materials. Those books are available here in Kigali city. With your help, Urukundo Learning Center could purchase the books so needed.

Don’t let the figures frighten you.

Remember 186,000 RWF is $186. USD

Below is the list. Scroll to the bottom.

Pick a textbook or an amount and send the donation to:


Hope Made Real

PO Box 3222

Williamsport PA 17701


This can also be done through the website: hopemadereal.org

Education is so important and you can help supply the tools to further improve the quality of education at Urukundo Learning Center by giving a little or a lot.

The total amount needed $9359. USD

Thank you.

Mama

Item Books Qty Unit Price (FRW) Total (FRW)
1 MATH P6 31 6,000 186,000
2 ENGL P6 34 6,000 204,000
3 KINYARWANDA P6 31 6,000 186,000
4 SCIENCE P6 31 6,000 186,000
5 SOCIAL STUDIES P6 34 6,500 221,000
6 FRENCH P6 31 5,000 155,000
7 MATH P5 56 6,000 336,000
8 ENGL P5 58 6,000 348,000
9 KINYARWANDA P5 54 6,000 324,000
10 SCIENCE P5 55 6,000 330,000
11 SOCIAL STUDIES P5 55 6,500 357,500
12 FRENCH P5 70 5,000 350,000
13 MATH P4 65 6,000 390,000
14 ENGL P4 65 6,000 390,000
15 KINYARWANDA P4 63 6,000 378,000
16 SCIENCE P4 64 6,000 384,000
17 SOCIAL STUDIES P4 64 6,500 416,000
18 FRENCH P4 82 5,000 410,000
19 MATH P3 81 6,000 445,500
20 ENGL P3 40 6,000 200,000
21 KINYARWANDA P3 40 6,000 240,000
22 SCIENCE P3 - - -
23 SOCIAL STUDIES P3 60 6,500 330,000
24 FRENCH P3 - - -
25 MATH P2 56 5,500 308,000
26 ENGL P2 64 5,000 320,000
27 KINYARWANDA P2 62 6,000 372,000
28 SCIENCE P2 - - -
29 SOCIAL STUDIES P2 61 5,500 335,500
30 FRENCH P2 - - -
31 MATH P1 51 5,500 280,500
32 ENGL P1 55 5,000 275,000
33 KINYARWANDA P1 61 6,000 366,000
34 SCIENCE P1 - - -
35 SOCIAL STUDIES P1 61 5,500 335,500
36 FRENCH P1 - - -
Total 9,359,500