COVID-19 has affected our lives in the US: staying inside our homes and neighborhoods, working and learning from home, seeing few people and family members, not getting to be with loved ones and celebrate life’s big and small moments. Some of us have gotten sick and others have not been able to be with loved ones in their moments of suffering and death. We have all faced financial uncertainty, some more than others, and many, many plans have had to change.

In Rwanda, poor rural families were already barely getting by and struggling for a better future. COVID-19 has worsened their situations leaving families with no work and struggling daily to survive. One extremely vulnerable group in Rwanda are single young women with children. 

Very often, these young women are abandoned by their families and communities and have no one to turn to. Sexual exploitation becomes a mode of survival. We can only imagine how their dignity and self-worth suffers, as well as that of their children. 

These women, who rely on daily wages earned working in the fields of other people or providing services like hair dressing and tailoring, have found their incomes slashed overnight. Families have no food to eat and no money to buy groceries in the off chance that food is available.

AVSI is providing monthly cash support for 408 young mothers via mobile money apps and helping them continue participating in savings groups. Over 70 women are now making and selling masks, and another 50 have perfected their skills of soap making and have a business. The women receive psychosocial support and life skills to heal from trauma and remember the value of their lives.

With your help, we can continue supporting young single mothers who have lost their income due to COVID-19 but not their hope for their children. Help us raise $20,000 to keep them safe and on the right path. 

Goal: $20,000 and 400 women, 800 children helped