Making Sweaters

A new addition to our sewing center are two machines that make sweaters for school uniforms. These are not electric machines, but use foot peddles like our sewing machines. Theresa, the sewing center director, had someone come for two months to teach her how to use it. She then hired Solange and taught her how to use it. It's been a success as Solange can make 5 small sweaters a day.

Solange is 28 years old and has 3 children, 5 years, 3 years and 6 months. She finished 6th grade in 2000 then worked in agriculture. She said, "This is a great opportunity so I can earn money to take care of my children."

New Uniforms

All the children wear uniforms to our Urukundo School. When a student with need cannot afford one, our teachers many times will pitch in or Urukundo will cover the cost. Each uniform, shorts, shirt and sweater costs $8,100rwf or $11.00.

Our school is about community so we do whatever it takes to be sure each student has the same opportunities. And that includes supplies, uniforms, shoes, socks and even underwear.

*New uniforms that were made by our sewing center
*Preschoolers needing uniforms
*Trying to find the right size
*getting ready to try it on!!!

Stories of the Bible

How many stories from the bible are about water? The kids at St. Paul's United Methodist Church in State College shared many stories through homemade coloring books. The covers designed by B J Rhodes were colored by the kids in PA while the pages will be colored by the kids at the Urukundo Home.

So Saturday I sat down with the kids and we talked about the stories of the bible. I was amazed they guessed, without seeing them, what most of the pages depicted - God creating the oceans and seas as well as creating the animals on the land and sea, Moses parting the sea, Jonah and the whale, Noah and the ark, Jesus walking on water and calming the seas, Jesus being baptized and standing with his disciples as they fished.

Several took turns sharing the stories of Noah and Jonah in bits and pieces. They were absolutely amazing in their retelling of the stories. Then each chose a book and had time to color. One page from each of their books will be colored for Sunday School kids at several churches. Kids sharing with kids. Such special moments sharing God's love.

*Bible story sharing
*Claude and Aline coloring
*Josephine who takes care of us and Chantal one of our new girls
*Nelly coloring Noah's Ark

Barb Arrived!!!

Barb arrived on Friday from Pennsylvania and was soon playing with the kids. It's amazing how kids connect so quickly with visitors to Urukundo. Barb, a retired librarian, had been to the Congo in 1993 and met Mama Arlene many years later. Since then she always considered coming to Rwanda to serve in missions. And here she is.

David was thrilled to have someone interested in birds so off they went to discover what was hiding in the tree in the front yard at Mama's house. Looking it up in a Rwanda bird book they discovered it was a Black Frowned Blue Heron, a nocturnal bird.

Then it was time for goal practice with Barb being the goalkeeper. You never know what the kids want you to do. Thank you Barb for have special time with David!!!!

Barb will be working with our new school librarian, help at the farm and I'm sure in many other ways yet to be discovered.

Pen Pals 1

This is the third year pen pals have been writing each and and what a success it has become. We have 21 pairs ages 6 to 14. There are twins writing to twins, music lovers and sports enthusiasts paired up and some are simply kids writing to a new friend. So much sharing and so many questions.

besides the typical questions about food, friends, snow and pets they asked:
Will you come visit me?
Can I come to American and see you?
When is your birthday and would invite me?
Can you send me a guitar?
How far away is your house from Rwanda?


*Aline writing
*Barb and Prince
*Kimber with twins Kenny and Kenilla
*Connie and Koboss

Pen Pals 2

More pairs continued working together to write pen pal letters. It's so wonderful to have all these children sharing with kids across the world.

Connie and Sarah

Kimber and Nelly

Go Ed Africa, Houghton College university student Riley and Johnny

Go Ed Africa, Messiah College university student Jenna and David

Kimber

This year it has been amazing to have Kimber Hershberger come to Rwanda with me. She has been a teacher for 30 or so years most recently as a 3rd grade teacher at Radio Park in State College. I worked with her and several classrooms last year and when she retired in 2015 she said she was interested in coming.

Kimber has taught students at Penn State PDS and teachers how to teach science. She has also traveled to South America to teach science and storytelling with PSU Parks and People Program for 5 years. With the water theme this year she brought a whole new level of teaching which our teachers were excited about.

The projects continue with school partnerships but Kimber is bringing many science experiments, art projects, and even a play. It will take several stories to cover what is being done so I will start by showing a few of her in action. She is so expressive and moves alot so photographing her is keeping me busy.

I will explained some of the amazing projects over the next few days.

*How heavy is air?

*Will it sink or float

*Undersea mural

*Reading "Mr. Seahorse", by Eric Carle outside the classroom