2020 // Year In Review

This year was unlike any other. Globally, people felt the impact of Covid-19 financially, psychologically, and physically. In Kenya, our family experienced those same challenges.

In January 2020, our team in Canada was gearing up for the annual A Night In Africa Gala at Cambrian College. Our children in Kenya returned to school, and our team was hopeful for the new year. In February, there was talk of “Corona Virus” and the catastrophic effects of the virus sweeping across China and Europe. Soon after, it became very apparent that we were facing a global pandemic. In March 2020, our team established with heavy hearts that for the first time A Night In Africa Gala would have to be postponed. Nonetheless, we remained hopeful.

In March, everything changed in Kenya. The Kenyan government issued a national lockdown protocol which included enforcement of mask wearing and a national curfew. Schools closed, only to re-open on January 4th, 2021 for all students. During this time millions of Kenyans living under $1 a day struggled to access masks, as they were unable to work in many cases due to Covid-19 protocols and lockdowns.

At this time, ZLT Hope Homes launched the “Covid-19 Relief Fund” which raised funds for mask purchases and distribution in Kibera, Soweto, and Mathare regions in partnership with Mutual Aid Kenya. In total, over 300 masks were delivered to individuals living in Kibera, Mathare, and Soweto regions of Nairobi. Additionally, 1 month of wholesale food items were purchased for ZLT Hope Homes. A total of $793 via GoFundMe and $300 direct contributions were raised for this campaign.

In Kenya, we were down to a lean staff to prevent threats of contracting the virus and our children were confined to our compound. While this was challenging, yet our team and our children remained resilient. The children practiced music, learning new songs on the guitar and piano. They did educational exercises daily to ensure they would not forget all of the valuable knowledge they obtained in Term 1. They created dances and short videos, played salon, read books (a lot of them), played football, and helped Mom Jerusha around the house. They tried to find a new normal in an incredibly challenging time.

While our team hoped we would be able to simply postpone A Night In Africa Gala, in August it became very apparent that this would simply not be possible. Instead, we began planning for our virtual A Night In Africa Gala which will be taking place in February 2021. We had to get creative - in our fundraising, and our work on the ground! Our team was navigating unchartered waters.

As we neared September the Kenyan government announced that children in senior elementary school grades would be returning to school. This meant Charles, Hadija, Richard, Godrick and John would be going back to school. Our team was nervous, as all parents were globally, as we prepared our children to return to school. We ordered new masks, prepared ourselves mentally, and attempted to explain the importance of practicing proper mask wearing and sanitation. Thankfully, the transition back to school was positive. Despite the challenges they faced, all children passed Term 2 with a B+ average. It was something we were all incredibly proud of!

Aside from the more obvious challenges, our children affected by abuse had to navigate their own individual healing journey. For many, isolation brought forward triggers. In turn it also created a stronger bond between the child and Mom Jerusha. More than ever before, she became their safe haven. Our children opened up emotionally and shared what they had experienced in their pasts. They shared the pride they feel being a part of the ZLT family, and the value and gratitude they feel now for having a safe place to call their own and a family who loves them unconditionally. While many organizations often measure success by the number of people reached, academic successes, or the number of dollars raised, at ZLT we measure our success by the emotional breakthroughs and trauma our children overcome each and every year. Even a small breakthrough is worth celebrating. This year more than ever, we celebrated healing and resilience.

As December neared, our children were able to spend a lovely Christmas together. The Christmas spirit was alive and well in our home amongst the kids! They decorated, sang Christmas carols around the keyboard, created song and dance performances for Mom Jerusha - beautiful memories were created. Our Christmas was not fancy. The children enjoyed their favorite meal together with sodas and some sweets and watched movies on Christmas Eve and Christmas day, but it was perfect nonetheless.

To Technica Mining, BESTECH, OCP, Akfit, The Social Soulpreneur, and Social Rise — thank you for serving as our corporate sponsors in 2020. Thank you for standing by us through an event we all knew deep down would likely be postponed, but remaining committed while we pivoted and found our way.

To Allain Labelle, the Villeneuve family, Mimi Dube, Jack and Marlene Paquette, Suzanne Harvey, Amber Fournier, Kylie Keyes, the Luttrell Family, Manitoulin Community Church, École Secondaire Du Sacré-Coeur, École St-Augustin, and countless donors who have stood with us this year, thank you for your continued support and dedication to our mission.

To our ticket holders for A Night In Africa Gala, thank you for your patience and your compassion during these unprecedented times.

To our partners at Children of Hope, thank you for your belief in our mission and thank you for your commitment to our children. You continue to serve as a beacon of hope for our family.

To Andre Lapierre and Michael Vanderhooft, thank you for using your immense talent in your creative hobbies to raise funds for our children’s care and support. The time and love you invested into your art did not go unnoticed.

Finally, thank you to the Lacroix Family. Thank you for believing in our children’s hopes and dreams for the future, and for honoring us with the opportunity to be a part of Stephanie’s legacy.

2020 was a year of immense healing, reflection, and reconnection with our family for ZLT Hope Homes. We remain humbled and grateful that you have chosen to walk on this journey with us.

With Love and Appreciation,

Jacqueline Villeneuve-Ahmed, and ZLT Hope Homes Team