Meet the kids of Urukundo

One of the best things that we have done whilst here in Muhanga has been going to Urukundo Home for Children to meet and work with the children there. Below is a paragraph taken from their mission statement  'Hundreds of thousands of children who managed to live through the 1994 genocide and its aftermath in Rwanda are struggling for survival in desperately impoverished situations. Due to AIDS, disease, and poverty many younger children have become orphans or throw away children. The number of vulnerable children in Rwanda is not decreasing. They are without help. Most of them live in loneliness, neither loved nor cared for. Many children have been traumatised and the psychological consequences of invisibility and powerlessness is devastating. These circumstances overwhelm them. Most, feeling hopeless about their future, end up wandering and begging in the streets where they are routinely exploited, girls in particular.Hope Made Real believes that all children are precious and are a sign of hope for Rwanda’s future.They need the love they deserve before they become blind and deaf by abuse and hardships.

Kevine is not one for words but her facial expressions say it all.

And then there was Diane. Not much to say about Diane expect she's Lauren's Child.

Urukundo was funded by Mama Arlene and inspiring 80 year old lady who had dedicated her life to helping the orphaned children of Rwanda in particular. She says "My mission, with the help of innumerable others, is to inspire the next generation of Rwandan leaders by placing these children in family homes where love, care, spiritual discipleship and physical needs are provided until each child is mature enough to live independently" .This is evident is the work that she has done at urukundo. Whilst volunteering there we got to meet and know some of the children there and their stories and joy in everyday life is inspiring in it self. I personally feel in love with Jacob whom i would have taken with me if i could.
The Amazing thing about the kids at Urukundo is the fact that most of them speak both english and Kinyarwanda. Even Jacob at the tender age of 1 can understand both languages. The Amazing thing about the kids at Urukundo is the fact that most of them speak both english and Kinyarwanda. Even Jacob at the tender age of 1 can understand both languages. 

Me and Lauren helping out at hope house

All the girl were fascinated with parens hair and made her a fairy princess.

Meet Rebecca 6, when she grows up she wants to have loads of pretty clothes.

Mama Arleen has just gotten the computer she needed to set up her IT room to not only teach the children computer skills but also the local people, so they too can better their lives.

Patrick helping out with the children of p3.

Jacob my big baby!!! Love this boy so much :)

The older girls at Urukundo always help out with the younger children as well ensuring that they are protected and have all that they need. They make awesome big sisters and such lovely friends as well as i came to know.

If you are interested in getting to know more about Urukundo Home for Children as well as what you could perhaps do to help the children then please do not hesitant to get in touch with Mama Arlene arlene@hopemadereal.org. Or visit there Website here for more details.

Sorry for the lack of posts but with no internet and the amount of power cuts we get here as well it gets touch keeping in touch but i will talk to y'all soon

Issie xox