Fifth Annual Evening in Support of Women and Families in Rwanda
It’s our 5th annual Zirikana event filled with warmth, joy and holiday spirit!
Join us for an evening of connection, food, African music, holiday-themed raffles, a silent auction and holiday shopping with a variety of unique local vendors!
Rwandan Mothers Team and Living with Happiness (under the umbrella of Zirikana) have grown since we began raising funds and friends here in London 4 years ago. They provide micro-enterprise skill training, parenting and mental health support, and educational programs to women and families in Kigali, Rwanda.
Some of the funds raised at this event will support our “Hope for Christmas” campaign. When you donate before, during or after the event, you can tell us which of the three Christmas programs you would like your donation to support to bring gifts of hope, love and community to:
- New mothers in hospital who cannot pay their hospital bill
- Children whose families can not afford to send them to school
- Women with disabilities who have been isolated, especially during Covid
Some of the funds raised through this event will continue to support our sewing training and micro-enterprise program.
Reserve your spot for this special event!
Tickets $15 (plus service fee) in advance on Eventbrite until Nov 21.
At the event, cash only ticket prices:
Adults: $20
Children 7-12: $10
Children under 7: Free
Families : $40
Shop with our Market Vendors (see listings below). From now to the end of the year, when you mention Zirikana at the time of your purchase, 10% of the sale will be donated to Zirikana. Shop local and find unique products and services for your holiday gift-giving!
The Zirikana Story
As young girls, Aimée and Clarisse survived the 1994 Genocide against Tutsi but lost their parents and 4 siblings. The 1994 Genocide against Tutsi left the country ravaged, families destroyed, and many girls growing up without a mother figure. However, through this tragedy has grown hope, and revival of life and culture.
Zirikana (meaning “Never Forget” in Rwanda’s native language Kinyarwanda) is the umbrella organization for two non-profits, Living with Happiness and Rwandan Mothers team. Aimée, Clarisse and their loyal volunteers work with women and children to support family harmony, resilience and sustainable financial security. They provide programs to promote mental health, parenting education, empowerment, entrepreneurship through micro-enterprise, and youth development.
Since our successful fundraiser last year, our 13 sewing training graduates received their very own sewing machines, (donated by our Zirikana community in Ontario), and have become professional seamstresses, supporting their families and providing the financial freedom to send their children to school. They have also become part of a supportive community that helps each one to feel worthy, to belong, and to raise their children to be educated, confident and successful.
It is a wonderful thing to know that this work is largely funded by generous people like you!
Zirikana 2022
There are many ways you can support Zirikana:
- Make a donation
- Shop with our Market Vendors – from now to the end of the year, when you mention Zirikana at the time of your purchase, 10% of the sale will be donated to Zirikana.
- Attend the November 24th event and invite your family and friends too!
Clarisse Mukashumbusho Cechetto and Aimée Utuza, Co-Founders of Zirikana
Holiday Vendor Market
Good Food. Real Fast. TM
Sandy Van Alstyne
Epicure with Sandy
For the past 25 years, Epicure has been helping families cook healthy, affordable meals a little faster. We are a Canadian Company, located in Saanich BC.
Epicure products are 100 % Gluten Free, Low in sodium and sugar and free from artificial colours, sweeteners and preservatives. We are a movement that’s changing the way we live our lives. Delicious meal solutions, timesaving cookware and delicious spices and seasonings offer variety and simplicity to help you get healthy meals on the table quickly, for your busy lifestyle.
Ask how you can earn Hostess Rewards without even hosting a cooking class. I also do Fundraisers!
For more information, please contact me or click on the Shopping Link.
Phone: 226-235-6234
Email: sandysellspurses@gmail.com
JOIN MY VIP CLASS: https://www.facebook.com/groups/724100215232056
SHOP MY LINKS: https://linktr.ee/Poppygirl
Reiki and Bars Sessions
Patricia Maki
PM Energy
I am a Reiki Master Teacher with 23 years experience from Japan and Canada. I also am an Access Bars Practitioner. I include strategies using Qi gong, Tai chi and Mindfulness practices to help children and adults with anxiety and stress during my sessions.
As a qualified Animal Reiki Practitioner, I work with animals of all species to help them in their time of need as well.
I am an occasional elementary school teacher and have also been using mindfulness practices in the classroom and in my Reiki practice for many years as I attained my Internationally Accredited Mindfulness Teacher certification.
The sessions I provide, give you many strategies for your “self healing” to continue after your reiki or bars session.
For this Zirikana Fundraiser, I am giving back 10% of the fee on every appointment booked with me during the month of November and December for any future date (at my home office).
(PMEnergy)
Women’s Fashion & Accessories
Cat Hicks
Independent cabi Stylist
FASHION WITH FRIENDS
In person: a group styling experience in your home or mine
Virtual: a group styling experience on our Front Row platform
FASHION ONE-ON-ONE
In person: styling session in my home or yours
Virtual: a personal styling session together online
Boutique in a bag: your favourites plus a few more, delivered to your door to try
Curated by cabi: a monthly customized styling services
FASHION ANYTIME
Follow the shopping link for personalized shopping
I am honoured to be part of the Zirikana event and look forward to connecting with you!
Catzstyling@rogers.com
519-902-6356
Instagram: catzstyling
Ethically Sourced, Beautiful Products
Janice Martins
Little by Little, Haiti
Little by Little, Haiti was founded by Isabel Stigge, alongside her husband Greg Stigge. Since 2014, they have been able to keep more than 150 children with their families through economic empowerment. At Little by Little we believe that sustainable business can offer solutions to many problems facing the people of Haiti. Our goal is to create ethically sourced, beautifully designed products and our vision is to care holistically for the people of Haiti. You can go onto our website to learn more about us and to see our products. We look forward to seeing you soon at the Zirikana 2021 fourth annual evening in Support of women and families in Rwanda.
Nail Art Manicures at Home
Dorothy Reitsma
Color Street
Color Street is brand new to Canada and features unique nail art designs, glitters and polishes in a dry nail strip. The strip is 100% nail polish, is chip resistant and offers a salon quality manicure in minutes. Looking forward to sharing it with you!
Home Organizing Services and Up-Cycled Products
Sarah Aziz
Simply Sarah E
I am very excited to be a part of this event. I have a Home Organizing business and I also create and sell up-cycled products, like funky bags made from African coffee sacks and re-usable food wraps made from vintage linens and beeswax. You can find me on Instagram and Facebook under my business name Simplysarahe.
Books that Empower Children
Heidi Pritchard Payne
Barefoot Books
These books celebrate families, communities and world cultures through vibrant illustrations and meaningful stories, individual unique qualities and strengths are honoured, differences are respected and similarities are discovered. Life lessons around connection, empathy, and resilience are shared in an empowering manner.
I can provide guidance based on interest & age. Our selections are also perfect for teacher gifts. If in the London area, contact me to order to save on shipping costs.
Email: mymoosesbookshelf@rogers.com
Eco-Friendly Cleaning
Deb Miller
ENJO Canada
ENJO is an award winning cleaning system that uses only water from your taps, with our ENJOTex© fibres. Our fibres are handmade in Austria, sustainable, fully recyclable, and we’re carbon positive!
We help anyone looking to reduce use of chemical cleaners in their home, workplace or gathering spaces. ENJO saves you time, and money, and cleans 6x better than commercial cleaners (tested by science).
My Webshop is the best place to see our products, and leave me any questions or a request for contact.
www.enjo.ca/dmiller
or email me @ deb.miller@bell.net for any questions!
All purchases as a result of the Zirikana event, will generate a donation to Zirikana.
Heartfelt thanks to the many businesses and individuals that are supporting this fundraiser
Some of our supporters include:
Zirikana 2022
Keep informed of Zirikana Activities and Events
Receive our infrequent emails when you sign up by contacting mbezzina@uwo.ca