2008 UPDATES
JANUARY 2008: HURRA!! THE RAINY SEASON STARTED.
Yes. Now we all are ready to welcome the heavy rains. Thanks to Rich and Monica Sembrat from Colorado USA we are protected from the very long rainy season. Rich and Monica sent us 102 rain ponchos and 35 shake style flashlights. Now the rain and the darkness are not at all a problem for us. We are sure that we are the only ones in the entire region having such high quality/beautiful ponchos. What a pleasure is to see the kids going to school without getting wet anymore. Now we can welcome with joy the heavy rains. Thank You, Rich and Monica, You are fantastic.
Yes. Now we all are ready to welcome the heavy rains. Thanks to Rich and Monica Sembrat from Colorado USA we are protected from the very long rainy season. Rich and Monica sent us 102 rain ponchos and 35 shake style flashlights. Now the rain and the darkness are not at all a problem for us. We are sure that we are the only ones in the entire region having such high quality/beautiful ponchos. What a pleasure is to see the kids going to school without getting wet anymore. Now we can welcome with joy the heavy rains. Thank You, Rich and Monica, You are fantastic.
FEBRUARY 2008: CROCODILE INVASION AT THE KIVU LAKE!!!
Over one hundred crocs arrived suddenly up on the hills of Rwanda. The family Edgar from USA ( Ron, Yanita and Jack ) together with the team of Centura Health Center Colorado got very close involved in this very special expedition. They gathered all the crocs and transported them from Colorado to Rwanda in their own luggage! The crocs arrived alive and healthy to the orphanage. Now our kids can wear indeed top quality shoes. Crocs are famous in USA for their very high quality and durability. What a privilege and delight is for our kids to walk to school wearing brand new crocs. Thank You Dear family Edgar for bringing so much color, happiness and joy in the lives of our children. Murakoze cyane.
Over one hundred crocs arrived suddenly up on the hills of Rwanda. The family Edgar from USA ( Ron, Yanita and Jack ) together with the team of Centura Health Center Colorado got very close involved in this very special expedition. They gathered all the crocs and transported them from Colorado to Rwanda in their own luggage! The crocs arrived alive and healthy to the orphanage. Now our kids can wear indeed top quality shoes. Crocs are famous in USA for their very high quality and durability. What a privilege and delight is for our kids to walk to school wearing brand new crocs. Thank You Dear family Edgar for bringing so much color, happiness and joy in the lives of our children. Murakoze cyane.
FEBRUARY 2008: BABIES ARE FALLING FROM HEAVEN!!
How would You feel when suddendly from one day to another You would get at once seven babies?! We got at the beginning of this month such an incredible gift. Our family and our joy are getting bigger and bigger. Each one of the babies are enriching our lives. Now Rebecca, Malik, Tiwala, Sam, Solomon, Suzanne and Noah are living in our brand new "Baby House" and are official members of the Children's Village Kigarama. Dear Babies, you are starting a new life together with us at the orphanage. May the beauty and the fascination of life shine in each one of you and transform you into strong and healthy men and women. Very welcome to a new life and home. It is a pleasure to live together with you.
How would You feel when suddendly from one day to another You would get at once seven babies?! We got at the beginning of this month such an incredible gift. Our family and our joy are getting bigger and bigger. Each one of the babies are enriching our lives. Now Rebecca, Malik, Tiwala, Sam, Solomon, Suzanne and Noah are living in our brand new "Baby House" and are official members of the Children's Village Kigarama. Dear Babies, you are starting a new life together with us at the orphanage. May the beauty and the fascination of life shine in each one of you and transform you into strong and healthy men and women. Very welcome to a new life and home. It is a pleasure to live together with you.
MARCH 2008: OLYMPIC GAMES IN RWANDA!!!
The ninth of March 2008 will remain for a very long time in the hearts and minds of all our kids. We staff members and children spent together a wonderful day. From early in the morning until late in the afternoon we all had tons of joy and fun. All posible sport disciplines were included. With lots of energy and humor the kids spent the day runing, jumping and using all their existing muscles. We finished a fantastic day together with excellent food and happiness. Thank You Jonathan, Aja and Miriam for so many precious moments. It is indeed a pleasure to enjoy the fascination of being alive surrended by so many good friends. Merci beaucoup!
The ninth of March 2008 will remain for a very long time in the hearts and minds of all our kids. We staff members and children spent together a wonderful day. From early in the morning until late in the afternoon we all had tons of joy and fun. All posible sport disciplines were included. With lots of energy and humor the kids spent the day runing, jumping and using all their existing muscles. We finished a fantastic day together with excellent food and happiness. Thank You Jonathan, Aja and Miriam for so many precious moments. It is indeed a pleasure to enjoy the fascination of being alive surrended by so many good friends. Merci beaucoup!
MARCH 2008: MORE BREAD FOR EVERYONE!!!
Jonathan Hodgson from Colorado USA together with Aja Diggelman from Switzerland built together with our children and some American friends a brand new baking oven. Now we can indeed bake enough bread for all our children. Jonathan and Aja are testing now many different bread recepies. Would You like to taste some banana bread? MMMnnnnhhhh..... they are delicious!Murakoze cyane Jonathan and Aja for working so hard and making another dream become true. And by the way Dear Aja, when will you start baking pizzas?! Hopefully very soon...
Jonathan Hodgson from Colorado USA together with Aja Diggelman from Switzerland built together with our children and some American friends a brand new baking oven. Now we can indeed bake enough bread for all our children. Jonathan and Aja are testing now many different bread recepies. Would You like to taste some banana bread? MMMnnnnhhhh..... they are delicious!Murakoze cyane Jonathan and Aja for working so hard and making another dream become true. And by the way Dear Aja, when will you start baking pizzas?! Hopefully very soon...
MARCH 2008: THE FIRST GENERATION OF TAILORS
March 16th, 2008 was a very special and unique day up on the hills of Rwanda. After two years of intensive training 13 young men and woman graduated officially as tailors. They are the first generation of graduated tailors from our tailoring school. The second generation of students have already started their training. They too have the privilege to get a practical and useful vocational training. Let us continue building a well trained generation on young men and women.
March 16th, 2008 was a very special and unique day up on the hills of Rwanda. After two years of intensive training 13 young men and woman graduated officially as tailors. They are the first generation of graduated tailors from our tailoring school. The second generation of students have already started their training. They too have the privilege to get a practical and useful vocational training. Let us continue building a well trained generation on young men and women.
May 2008: JONATHAN IS GONE
Dear Jonathan, it was an incredible pleasure to see you flying. You learned indeed to expand your wings and soar. It was so difficult to let you go. A part of you will always stay with us. Keep learning and growing. Please, never forget that dreams can become true. Murakoze cyane for being an excellent friend, brother and son. I enjoyed having you here a lot.
Dear Jonathan, it was an incredible pleasure to see you flying. You learned indeed to expand your wings and soar. It was so difficult to let you go. A part of you will always stay with us. Keep learning and growing. Please, never forget that dreams can become true. Murakoze cyane for being an excellent friend, brother and son. I enjoyed having you here a lot.
JUNE 2008: LET US PLAY
Aja Diggelmann together with the financial support of A Better World desgined and built a beautiful playground for our children. The entire project was done in just a couple of weeks. Dear Aja, Congratulations. You did a fabulous work. It is a delight to watch the kids playing and having fun. The adventure "life" is fascinating. The kid in us should never die.
Aja Diggelmann together with the financial support of A Better World desgined and built a beautiful playground for our children. The entire project was done in just a couple of weeks. Dear Aja, Congratulations. You did a fabulous work. It is a delight to watch the kids playing and having fun. The adventure "life" is fascinating. The kid in us should never die.
JULY 2008: AMIGA AJA HAS LEFT
Dear Aja, it was an amazing pleasure and privilege to walk some steps with you. You will stay deep in our minds and hearts. I will never forget the moments when you were shining, dreaming, flying. You enriched indeed our lives. May the beauty and goodness of life always shine in you. Keep breathing deeply the delicious fragrance of life. We will terribly miss You.
Dear Aja, it was an amazing pleasure and privilege to walk some steps with you. You will stay deep in our minds and hearts. I will never forget the moments when you were shining, dreaming, flying. You enriched indeed our lives. May the beauty and goodness of life always shine in you. Keep breathing deeply the delicious fragrance of life. We will terribly miss You.
JULY 2008: WOULD YOU LIKE A RIDE?
Have you ever been traveling at a speed of 17057 miles per hour ( Mach 25 ) and at an altitude of 220 statute miles? NASA Astronaut Ronald J. Garan did that possible for us. Ron took all our children in the Space Shuttle DISCOVERY and traveled with us to the International Space Station. During the 8 days, 17 hours and 39 minutes's experience the children were singing songs from the CD"Save Africa". Wow. Thank you so much Dear Ron for the unique ride. There are indeed precious moments in life. Could we do it again?
Have you ever been traveling at a speed of 17057 miles per hour ( Mach 25 ) and at an altitude of 220 statute miles? NASA Astronaut Ronald J. Garan did that possible for us. Ron took all our children in the Space Shuttle DISCOVERY and traveled with us to the International Space Station. During the 8 days, 17 hours and 39 minutes's experience the children were singing songs from the CD"Save Africa". Wow. Thank you so much Dear Ron for the unique ride. There are indeed precious moments in life. Could we do it again?
AUGUST 2008: GET READY TO BE DRIED
Jack Bacon and Chris Craw together with the team of Engineers Without Borders - Johnson Space Center, designed and installed the first solar drier prototype. Now we can start gaining experience drying our pineapples and papayas. EWB- JSC will continue helping us with the huge challenge of processing and packing tons of fruit. Would You like to taste our delicious dried fruit? Just come and enjoy with us the fascinating beauty of the hills.
Jack Bacon and Chris Craw together with the team of Engineers Without Borders - Johnson Space Center, designed and installed the first solar drier prototype. Now we can start gaining experience drying our pineapples and papayas. EWB- JSC will continue helping us with the huge challenge of processing and packing tons of fruit. Would You like to taste our delicious dried fruit? Just come and enjoy with us the fascinating beauty of the hills.
AUGUST 2008: COME DANCE WITH US
Our kids are getting now every Sunday afternoon rwandan traditional dance classes. Twenty four girls and boys are on their way to become excellent dancers. Our kids love to welcome our friends and visitors with the elegant dances. We hope that soon our children will get known all around as the singing-dancing orphans of Rwanda. Keep moving kids and enjoy the beauty of life.
Our kids are getting now every Sunday afternoon rwandan traditional dance classes. Twenty four girls and boys are on their way to become excellent dancers. Our kids love to welcome our friends and visitors with the elegant dances. We hope that soon our children will get known all around as the singing-dancing orphans of Rwanda. Keep moving kids and enjoy the beauty of life.
AUGUST 2008: WHO NEEDS HELP?
Kate planed and organized first aid kits for each one of our family units. Kate gave also our mothers a first aid training course. Now our kids can play and can have fun knowing that "Mum" can help them with the small wounds. You have done an excellent work Dear Kate.
Next time when you come we will continue increasing the health of our kids.Murakoze cyane.
Kate planed and organized first aid kits for each one of our family units. Kate gave also our mothers a first aid training course. Now our kids can play and can have fun knowing that "Mum" can help them with the small wounds. You have done an excellent work Dear Kate.
Next time when you come we will continue increasing the health of our kids.Murakoze cyane.
AUGUST 2008: KATE RETURNS TO THE USA
Kathryn Clair, a medical student from the University of Denver in Colorado spent two months with us at the orphanage. Kate developed an entire health care program for our children. Now our kids will have a much better health. Dear Kate, thanks so much for sharing your time, skills and life with us. You made indeed a real difference in the lives of our children. You are very welcome to come back.
Kathryn Clair, a medical student from the University of Denver in Colorado spent two months with us at the orphanage. Kate developed an entire health care program for our children. Now our kids will have a much better health. Dear Kate, thanks so much for sharing your time, skills and life with us. You made indeed a real difference in the lives of our children. You are very welcome to come back.
NOVEMBER 2008: OUR MISSION
Why are we here?What is the purpose of our work?Miriam Wyrwich together with Elisee helped us to make it very clear and simple.They painted a beautiful mural on the wall of our office. Now when friends and visitors enters the orphanage they can read right away our Mission. We are here for the Children. They are our inspiration and motivate our work. Very well done Miriam and Elisse. Thanks so much for your huge patience and endurance painting this mural. Without doubt is one of the best murals of the country. Congratulations.
Why are we here?What is the purpose of our work?Miriam Wyrwich together with Elisee helped us to make it very clear and simple.They painted a beautiful mural on the wall of our office. Now when friends and visitors enters the orphanage they can read right away our Mission. We are here for the Children. They are our inspiration and motivate our work. Very well done Miriam and Elisse. Thanks so much for your huge patience and endurance painting this mural. Without doubt is one of the best murals of the country. Congratulations.
NOVEMBER 2008: A UNIQUE ROOF
The orphanage wrote history again. Cate Townley together with Mark Reiner from Birambye International made it possible. They built together with our staff a very special roof. It is the first roof of this kind built in Rwanda and probably in Africa.We used local materials in combination with a new technology.The final product is very strong and resistent. Our workers learned how to do it and they will build two additional roofs during the next months. This new technology will also be applied in the construction of the Eco-Lodge. Birambye International, You have done an excellent work. Murakoze cyane.
The orphanage wrote history again. Cate Townley together with Mark Reiner from Birambye International made it possible. They built together with our staff a very special roof. It is the first roof of this kind built in Rwanda and probably in Africa.We used local materials in combination with a new technology.The final product is very strong and resistent. Our workers learned how to do it and they will build two additional roofs during the next months. This new technology will also be applied in the construction of the Eco-Lodge. Birambye International, You have done an excellent work. Murakoze cyane.
DECEMBER 2008: ST. NIKOLAS CAME TO RWANDA!!
Would you believe it? On Friday December 5th early in the morning we discovered our shoes filled with gifts and candies! Who did it?! The guilty ones were St. Nikolas and the "Black Pete's" his helpers. They came all the way from The Netherlands to us. Thank you Ankie and Peter for inviting such interesting friends. It was a pleasure to celebrate St. Nikolas Day together with You. We hope that the next year they will come back. Murakoze cyane.
Would you believe it? On Friday December 5th early in the morning we discovered our shoes filled with gifts and candies! Who did it?! The guilty ones were St. Nikolas and the "Black Pete's" his helpers. They came all the way from The Netherlands to us. Thank you Ankie and Peter for inviting such interesting friends. It was a pleasure to celebrate St. Nikolas Day together with You. We hope that the next year they will come back. Murakoze cyane.