Western PhD student launches fundraiser to help single moms in Rwanda survive the pandemic

A PhD student in food health promotion at Western University has launched a successful fundraiser to help single mothers in her native Rwanda feed their families during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Aimee Utuza came to Canada with her five children in 2018.

"I'm still very much connected to Rwanda because I love my country … and I always connect my research to the Rwandan situation," she said.

When the pandemic struck, her thoughts turned to the many single mothers in her homeland who eke out an existence by selling hand-made crafts or vegetables. They earn about 2,000 Rwandan Francs, the equivalent of about $3.00 Canadian a day.

Because they now have to stay hunkered down in their homes due to the pandemic, the women are unable to operate their businesses. They can't afford to feed their families.

Their plight caused Utuza and her sister, Clarisse Cechetto, to launch Zirkana, a campaign to help more than 200 moms.

So far, it's raised more than $5,000. With the help of volunteers on the ground in Rwanda, each recipient was recently sent $20.00 via mobile phone apps. That's enough money to provide dinner for their families for 10 days.

Utuza said the women are very grateful.

"Through the volunteers, they sent pictures and recorded messages. Some of them just can't believe it."

She said one of the mothers said, "I didn't have anything left (to eat) in my house ... and then I went to buy food for my kids."

Utuza said her memories of surviving the Rwandan genocide spurred her to launch the fundraiser. From April to June 1994, an estimated 800,000 Rwandans were killed. When the Tutsi people were attacked, their homes were destroyed, forcing them to seek refuge in churches and hospitals.

During that time, Utuza, her sister and other members of her family fled to a psychiatric hospital where her mother worked. They spent 10 days fearing for their lives, going without food and water because they couldn't risk leaving the hospital.

She said they witnessed people all round them being shot and killed.

"It's a miracle [we] survived," she said.

Utuza said the memories of that harrowing experience inspired her to reach out to Rwandans, who are now struggling to survive the pandemic.