Funeral for Sacha
Donation protected
Crena Asifiwe Uwase (friends and family knew her as "Sacha" or "Azu") overcame obstacles that most can't imagine. On Sunday, September 2, Sacha was airlifted to the hospital after a tragic car accident in Kalamazoo, Michigan; local police have apprehended the driver. She passed away in the hospital, leaving behind her three-year-old daughter, Kaylee.
After fleeing violence in their home countries of Rwanda and the Congo, her family lived as refugees in Kenya until they were resettled in Indianapolis in 2014 with no knowledge of English or American culture. Shortly after being resettled, Sacha became pregnant at the age of 15. This past May, Sacha defied the odds and graduated high school - despite having to learn English and raise a child as a teenager.
Sacha overcame her past and was on a path for success; college-bound this coming January, Sacha's goal was to major in nursing. She was a talented dancer on the Hoza Dance Troupe and was loved by her peers. Sacha and Kaylee resided with Sacha's mother, Bora, who is single-handedly raising Sacha's brother and three sisters as well as assisting with Kaylee's care. Bora, in her desire to not perpetuate the cycle of violence, has forgiven the driver and will not be pressing charges; but Bora will not be able to afford Sacha's funeral on her own.
That's where we are coming in to help. Kizito Kalima, founder of the Peace Center for Forgiveness and Reconciliation (PCFR), has been helping families like Sacha's assimilate into the United States since 2000. Kizito uniquely understands their struggle having come over to the United States as an orphaned teenage refugee himself after the 1994 Genocide Against the Tutsis in Rwanda. On behalf of Sacha's family, we are asking for help to cover her funeral costs and the costs of education for Kaylee to set her up for success and follow in her mother's footsteps. Please help us repay Bora's display of kindness and forgiveness. Any and all help is greatly appreciated!
After fleeing violence in their home countries of Rwanda and the Congo, her family lived as refugees in Kenya until they were resettled in Indianapolis in 2014 with no knowledge of English or American culture. Shortly after being resettled, Sacha became pregnant at the age of 15. This past May, Sacha defied the odds and graduated high school - despite having to learn English and raise a child as a teenager.
Sacha overcame her past and was on a path for success; college-bound this coming January, Sacha's goal was to major in nursing. She was a talented dancer on the Hoza Dance Troupe and was loved by her peers. Sacha and Kaylee resided with Sacha's mother, Bora, who is single-handedly raising Sacha's brother and three sisters as well as assisting with Kaylee's care. Bora, in her desire to not perpetuate the cycle of violence, has forgiven the driver and will not be pressing charges; but Bora will not be able to afford Sacha's funeral on her own.
That's where we are coming in to help. Kizito Kalima, founder of the Peace Center for Forgiveness and Reconciliation (PCFR), has been helping families like Sacha's assimilate into the United States since 2000. Kizito uniquely understands their struggle having come over to the United States as an orphaned teenage refugee himself after the 1994 Genocide Against the Tutsis in Rwanda. On behalf of Sacha's family, we are asking for help to cover her funeral costs and the costs of education for Kaylee to set her up for success and follow in her mother's footsteps. Please help us repay Bora's display of kindness and forgiveness. Any and all help is greatly appreciated!
Fundraising team: PCFR (3)
Jamie Coakley
Organizer
Indianapolis, IN
Kizito Kalima
Beneficiary
Gabrielle Douglas
Team member