URUKUNDO VILLAGE--THE CHILDREN'S HOME

Oswald Chambers said it like this, 

       "When God gives a Vision, transact business 
              on that line, no matter what it costs".

Arlene Brown has done just that through the Urukundo Foundation that she began in 2002.  Having worked in refugee camps and seeing all the needs she followed God's call on her life at age 65!   Remember... there is nothing in the Bible about retirement..  (sorry, to all my retired friends)... but in the Lord's work.... there is no respite- due to age!  
Seeing Arlene on Saturday is proof that at age 81... not much is going to stop her!  God has given her a vision, strength, wisdom, generous donors and a family of children in great need.  She came from Williamsport, Pa... and her daughter lives in Forest Hills... quite close to Penn Hills for those of you reading that don't live in the area.  So, we have a little connect by where we are from.  

We had the joy of spending last Sat. at the beautiful place she has built for the Lord and His kids.  Presently, she has a preschool for 120 kids in the area... There are 44 children living with her (plus those that help her), from babies through high school age.  Some are in boarding schools now in Kigali for high school, but they come back as soon as exams are over. 

A new preschool building has just been completed... In fact, since 2008... a girl's house, a guy's house, a multipurpose building (where the preschool has been housed and where worship is held) has been built.  Arlene bought a mountain with lots of land and now there are these building, room for her dream of a higher ed program on the mountain top, and a fully operating livestock farm and much ground committed to crops.  All that in the last 4 years!   She employes local help and you will see them in the pictures.... 

She has recently purchased a home for herself (with her own funds).. and another building that will serve as a guest house for teams coming to do mission projects and oh.. there is also a health clinic and soon to be dentist office, too!  I know i am forgetting much but the stories are too numerous to tell here...... Most of the children come to her from the government... either children who can't be cared for at home.... or from being left somewhere.  They are called throw-away babies or children... but once Arlene gets them.. they will no longer be called that.  They will be able to grow up in a healthy, Christian home and be totally loved!

Please check out the link to this wonderful place...

Urukundo Village is an independent home for Rwandan children created and funded through Hope Made Real and its incredibly kind donors.    hopemadereal.org/


I will try to share with you via the pictures so you can get a glimpse of what it is like.  Hebron Family, this would be a great place for a mission trip or seed money.  And kids, I think we would have a great time communicating with these kids... almost all of them speak English.  So maybe we can form some friendships and provide for some needs that the children have!  They would love it so much!  In the meantime....

 Let me introduce you to this place of peace in the 

                                 Rwandan mountains...

Arlene's Office-- finally out of the house. 
Dan and Kelly, can you relate to this?

The health Clinic... other supplies locked up in next room.

The new guest house under renovation.

                            

One of Arlene's kids doing the trim work

                                 

                                 Laundry day... all done by hand ....is everyday with 44 kids!

The Boys' House..  Watch dog asleep in day--he works all night!

The Girl's House... with Claude and Arlene. He is her protector!

The boys keep their room quite neat, don't you think?

 Time for lunch--so much room on this side...

2-4 yr olds like to sit close!

                 We had potatoes, rice, mushrooms in tomato broth and passion fruit.        


The cooking is all done on these charcoal pits!



                                      And now onto another building.

The center of the multipurpose room

Note each child's toothbrush has their picture on it.

The just built soon-to-be new preschool building!
It is very beautiful inside and out.
All of these buildings have been built since 2008!!!! And children's lives are being built everyday! 

The little ones telling Bruce what shape they were holding

One of the rescued babies with Mama!

Two of the little ones rescued by Mama and their caretakers!

                 We are going to go on a walk up to the top of the mountain... 

                    But i think we'll do that tomorrow and then head on to the farm!

Arlene and us in front of her house


See you tomorrow..
love,
margie