Ragdolls are new to Urukundo. This gift from a friend of children is so special.
Lillian J. Candy Kriner Hein shared her treasure with Urukundo's kids. Thank you, Lillian.
Stones
The perfect place for honor and memory stones has finally been found.
Retaining walls are permanent and the perfect location.
Patron stones on Mama’s residence retaining wall.
This stone is in memory of a special servant of the Lord.
The stone honoring my dear friend and mission companion has a special place in my heart and in the hearts of two churches in Pennsylvania, USA: Saint John's-Newberry United Methodist Church in Williamsport and Oval Church in Jersey Shore. Pastor Marge and I traveled together on a mission for the Susquehanna Conference of the United Methodist Church, and she was my mentor on my very first mission trip to Africa.
These stones now have a permanent resting place. We honor our patrons and others who have stones on other walls. Watch for your stone in the months to come.
Message from Mama
I am fine and Urukundo is thriving. For sure, the Secondary School will be a reality by September 2025. Another goal will be reached.
What an awesome Hope Made Real!
When Urukundo prospers, the community prospers.
As shown in the newsletter, the preliminary work on the Secondary School is well underway. It will be ongoing for some time yet. I admire our day workers as they do hard labor that would be done by machines in the USA and elsewhere. They are doing a great job. The construction in progress at Urukundo has an outreach that includes jobs for men and women in this community who have no income and need to feed and clothe their families. We need volunteers to come and work alongside our Rwandese workers to get this job done.
Love, Mama
December Newsletter
Because the newsletter is published after Christmas, it is best we just wish all our followers a Happy New Year 2025!
Special event
December started us off with a beautiful baby boy named Ricky. His mama is Juliette, and his papa is Felix. His grandmother is me. Juliette has been part of the Urukundo family since our first girls came to Gitirama in 2006. Urukundo encouraged and supported Juliette in furthering her education. She went to university on weekends and did her work at Urukundo during the week.
Over the next 18 years, she graduated from university, married Felix, and became the human resources employee and treasurer at Urukundo. Three other children were added to her family: Edison, Jerry, and Edith. Ricky was an unexpected blessed event. Of course, his older brothers and sister will help me spoil and love this little boy. That's a grandmother's job.
Play area
We have a new safer play area for our daycare kids.
Thanks to a generous donor, our daycare kids are blessed.
Even the big kids like the grassy area.
Favorite photo
This is just my favorite photo for this month. No other comment. Love, love, love.
University graduates
Bosco and Lillian graduated from university.
Lillian and Bosco are Urukundo sister and brother. They are two of the 26 older kids.
Neighborhood outreach
Alice is mama to one child but has four siblings in need.
Big sisters care and are so special. Clothes for all.
The Mama & Baby Project continues to care for newborns and mamas.
Another birthday for Mama
Ninety-four of them. Seems like a lot. Birthdays come, like it or not. I expect to have many more.
Fanta, cake and song. Both in English and Kinyarwanda. Beautiful voices.
A room full of LOVE. Family all around.
Eric brings a second cake in celebration.
Cake and fireworks. Who could ask for more?
Headmaster Viateur adds strength to cutting the cake.
Fanta and cake for everyone.
Seraphine gives her Urukundo mom a hug.
Oliver shares the joy. The flowers are from Johnny, my flower child.
Bridal shower
Celebrating a bride-to-be is special. Celebrating two at the same time is extra special.
Our school secretary Adeline and teacher Alexie each takes their marriage vows before the New Year arrives. I was invited to participate in cutting the celebration cake. What joy!
The celebration was enjoyed by all of our ladies.
Secondary school anticipation
We have faith and are anticipating our O Level secondary school.
This is the land chosen for the new building.
Headmaster Viateur and I inspected the site and saw the beginning of digging the trenches for the foundation of a strong retaining wall. This wall will hold the land brought in or brought down from the top as fill. Building the lower retaining wall is the first step.
The process requires purchasing stones, sand, lime, and water. Then there’s lots of hard labor. Initial costs before construction can begin.
Trenches dug, foundation laid, wall rising.
Leveling started.
Bringing the mountain down to a useful level. The dirt removal will go down about 6 feet from the bottom of the fence. Pick, shovel, and a wheelbarrow load at a time.
Earthmoving in progress.
In a few weeks, an upper retaining wall will be in place and leveling will be completed. Much more work must be done before construction of the two-story building can begin.
Christmas decorations
The tree in my bedroom. Except for the two angels and star, these decorations are all hand-crafted in Rwanda.
In my outside yard. Lights come on at dark. Beautiful.
This tree is in the great room for all to enjoy. It is a mix of American and Rwandan ornaments. The nativities are crafted in Rwanda.
Wreaths on the doors. Love the colorful bells.
