This is us…
Ubaka U Rwanda is a Christian charity
committed to turning around lives of Rwandan children and young people who are living on the streets.
We run a centre that provides a home for those who have been orphaned or neglected. Together we strive to help them build up a brighter future away from the street.
This summer’s excursion highlight was a trip to the lake Lake Muhazi . As much as we are striving to provide life’s necessities for the boys, we also believe that a vital part of growing up should be gaining new life experiences. We were fortunate enough to gain a small donation that would enable us to take the boys out for a swim.
A memorable day out
Evode, our centre manager, thought it was important to get the boys outside of the city of Kigali and make a day of it. We found a resort which was currently under renovations, which meant that we had it all to ourselves!
David had never seen a turtle before and is fascinated
Many boys were nervous but very excited as they had never left Kigali nor been swimming before! The bus ride was an experience in itself. We were crammed in a little bus and spend the whole journey singing and admiring our surroundings. We got there and the boys were set free to explore the playground.
Enjoying the playground on the resort
Swimming was everything everyone hoped it would be. The boys all had a great time and many of them were beginning to be able to swim on their own!
However for some, the only way we were able to get some boys out of the water was by enticing them to come on a boat ride! The resort had a small boat which they took us out on.
About halfway during the voyage though, it became clear to us that the boat had leaks and needed water to be bailed out! Luckily, we were never in great danger of sinking, and it became very comical to watch the boys bailing water!
It was a wonderfully relaxing day for everyone. It was a day of many firsts for the boys. It was a day when they were enjoying life and not just “surviving” like when they used to live on the street.
Last year we were proud to send our first boy off to boarding school. Now it is 2012, and we are excited to announce that two of our boys were accepted to attend boarding schools. Denys will visit a secondary school in Masango, and Big Jack in Gakenke.
Because both boys were off to different schools on the same day, we had to decide how to take them.
Big Jack’s father was killed in the genocide, but he is lucky to have a loving mother. Denys is an orphan so we decided it would be best to accompany him to his new school. Jack’s mother would accompany Jack.
All of the boys were very excited and helped out where they could as the two scholars prepared to leave.
We parted ways with Jack and his mother in Nyabugogo.
The secondary school for Denys was far off the beaten path and took two hours by bus to reach. Denys appeared calm and relaxed when we arrived, but when he was asked how he was feeling, he admitted he was nervous to leave home and be far away. But when the prospect of new friends was introduced to him, he said bluntly “I come to school to study much.” We believe he will in deed study much and succeed, and we are sure he will make plenty of new friends as well.
“Santa,” as the boys call him, has a long way to go before he becomes the doctor he wants to be but he is now one step closer. We are so proud of Big Jack and Denys, and thank everyone for their continued support.
This years holidays were filled with treats, crafts, visitors, and just general love and comfort. We could not have celebrated Christmas without the support from our volunteers and sponsors.
This year's Christmas Tree
One of our holiday visitors from the UK was Jenifer Mahon, a friend of Becky. She and Becky worked tremendously hard to transform the Ubaka center into a home. On Christmas eve stocking was handmade, a snowman was molded, lights hung and finally a Christmas tree decorated.
Everyone is busy crafting paper Christmas garlands
Jennifer filling the last stockings at 1 am in the morning
Jennifer brought stocking stuffers for all of the boys which included: toy soldiers, bouncy balls, candies, and underwear. Jennifer and Becky woke up during the middle of the night to stuff the stockings and place the presents under the tree. When the boys awoke the next morning they were pleasantly surprised.
On Christmas morning, it would be an understatement to say that the boys were excited, some could not figure out what to do with themselves. Yves could not stop giggling, Ishimwe kept running in and out of the house making sure that it was all real, and Dieudonne walked around saying “Merry Christmas!”
Every boy, no matter age, enjoyed every one of the gifts (underwear provided the most excitement!).
All and all Christmas was everything it should be; family, love, sweetness from freshly baked treats, and a house full of joy youth!
Happy New Year everyone and we hope you enjoyed your Christmas.
Students from the organization Bridge 2 Rwanda (known for assisting outstanding students in attaining scholarships to universities in the U.S.) have been coming to help the boys with homework, English, general studying, and just hanging out. For the last 2 months they have been visiting every Sunday.
Last weekend they led an activity called the “Egg Drop”.
Now some of you may be familiar with the “Egg Drop,” but for those who don’t let me explain.
1. Each team is given a set of materials and an egg.
2. They must create a device that will prevent the egg from cracking after being dropped from at least 4 meters off the ground.
3. The boys were divided into 3 groups and were each given a water bottle, tape, one balloon, toilet paper, and straws.
Team 1: Egg exploded
Team 2: Egg with a little crack
Team 3: One whole Egg!
Jack (14) has been with Ubaka U Rwanda for 2 years
Where did you live before you came to Ubaka U Rwanda?
When I grew up I lived with a man, who told me he was not really my father. I had to sleep out the front of the house, as he had locked the doors and when he returned one day he told me that he never wants to see me again. He took me by car to a bus stop and left me there. I was around 4 years old.
How did you survive?
A man at the bus stop asked me what was wrong. When I told him he took me to his mother’s house to do some chores, but in the morning they told me to leave. I slept in the woods for 2 nights where I fell and broke my arm. I went back to the man who raised me. He was not happy to see me, but let me stay until my arm was better, then he sent me away again.
Could the local authorities have helped you?
People who saw me sleeping at the bus station told me to go the Nyamirambo police station. They did not believe me at first, but then sent me to the “Gusimba Centre” orphanage. However they were full, and would not take me in so I had to return to the police station. I stayed there for more than a month, and they let me sleep inside the prison at night.
How did you get to Ubaka U Rwanda?
While I was staying at the prison, Evode came to pick up another boy. He said I could come with him, but the police officers would not let me go until they confirmed that Ubaka U Rwanda is ok.
How do you like it at Ubaka U Rwanda?
I love my life at the centre. Before I did not know anything about school and now I realised what I have missed. I try to make up for it and last year I was top of the class. My school and my parents (Evode and Becky) were so pleased that I was allowed to skip a year.
What are your chores at the centre?
Everyone in the centre is divided up into teams. I am in the cooking team, so I sometimes cook, or wash the dishes or help with the cleaning of the centre.
What would you like to do in the future?
I am thinking about 3 different jobs. I would like to become either a pilot, a highly educated doctor with my own clinic or maybe an ambassador. But I am certain I will have a good future.
Now I want to concentrate on my study and obey everyone that says the truth.
Mother’s day will soon be here so why not buy a thoughtful gift that will last & warm her heart. Why not try something different than the usual bunch of daffs?
Celebrate Mother’s day a little different this year by sending her a life-changing gift.
Here are some ideas:
1. Give her a Child Sponsorship certificate? It will ensure that a boy receives education; shelter and guidance at our center. Best of all your mother can be involved in the boys life via letters; emails or even visits. That should take the ease of daily phone calls to you for a while 
2. Whatever your budget… our alternative gifts start from about £10 and are a unique way of celebrating mother’s day by supporting those who are not as lucky to have one who cares for them.
All mother’s day gifts purchased by the 1st of April will be sent a mother’s day card with a gift certificate. For any questions or to send us the recipients address contact lucy@ubakaurwanda.org.uk.
In January the academic year started for our youngest, and a month later, our older boys return. A new school year begins with new books, uniforms and a big debate about the new school bags. We have a lot of spiderman and Obama fans! “Yes I can” and “Spidey” backpacks are all in fashion at the Ubaka U Rwanda center.
Spiderman vs Obama-along with general going back to school excitement!
What is different from when I went to school (a while ago I know) is that the boys eagerly await the new school year: They proudly display their pictures of their first school day and receive their school equipment with a sense of gratitude and pride.
David is finally going to school
“I have been waiting for this day for 3 years now… that’s how long I’ve not been able to go to school. Today is a good day”
These were the words of David on his first school day. He came to our centre half way through last year, and cannot believe the opportunities it has presented to him. Underneath the bubbly excitement I was struck by the realisation that we really are changing the lives of these boys!
We are particular proud of Gentil. He excelled in his primary 6 exams and was offered a place at a secondary boarding school. Thanks to a Young Persons Sponsorship, we are able to fund this important step in his live. Gentil, who normally is a reserved and quiet individual, is full of pride and lets everyone know that he is proceeding to the secondary level. Secondary school is obligatory in the West, but here it is a luxury and the boys know it.
To add to the positive news our relationship with the local government has improved so much that this year they are contributing to our primary school fees. This represents a milestone in our charity being accepted in Rwanda. This proves that we are contributing to changing the hearts and minds of Rwandans to get involved in the work we are doing in reintegrating the boys back into society.
Yves and Kasungu are happy with their new bags
I would like to raise awareness about one of our most important fundraising initiatives: the Child & Young Persons Sponsorship Programme
How does sponsoring a child differ from giving a one-off donation?
Most importantly it gives the boys a way to relate to a life outside of Rwanda: they know that somebody, a real person with a personality cares, rather than an anonymous donor.
A sponsored child will write letters and send photos regularly so that the sponsor can see the difference their donation makes. A sponsor will be able to open a savings account for them, which they can access once they are adults and you will be more than welcome to visit them. (With advance warning please )
Having regular donors means that we have the ability to plan ahead. Also it comforts us to have supporters who are actively engaged in our cause and operations.
Thank you to those who already sponsor us, and if you are interested to hear more about our programme please feel free to contact us
Firstly, I want to wish everyone connected with Ubaka U Rwanda a Happy New Year. 2010 was a massive year for us as we saw the marriage of our founders and a significant increase in new supporters! In November the long school holidays start in Rwanda and the boys progress at school has been incredible. Looking back from the start of the year we can really see the change from street boys to educated, mature young men. Your continued support has had an significant impact in the boys lives.
What did you get for Christmas?
2011 starts with a new and exciting development at the Centre. The boys of Ubaka U Rwanda were given a basic luxury that I suspect back in England we take for granted. On Christmas Day 12 brand new wooden bunk beds were installed in the centre along with new mattresses, thanks to the kind donations of a small number of people. To sleep in a bed rather than sleep on the floor is a simple luxury but for most of our boys this is a real step away from the streets. On behalf of the whole Ubaka team and the boys, I would like to say a huge thank you to everyone who contributed to this project.
So what is your New Year’s Resolution?
We at Ubaka U Rwanda hope to continue to provide our boys with a loving and supporting home, food, schooling and the promise of a better future. We cannot do this without you. Your continued support really does make a difference. Together we can change the lives of these boys and give them a real future. Be it a mechanic, sportsman, lawyer, doctor or even President of Rwanda, they deserve that opportunity and together we can give it to them!
Help the boys by purchasing a new mattress here.
Christmas Day the beds have arrived
Elise excited about Christmas and his new bed
Francois find a new use for his bed
The boys bed room
