Zimbabwe is a beautiful country, depending on which side of the economy you sit. You are either a “have” or a “have not.” And if you are a have not, life can be extremely hard.

Zimbabwe is located in Sub-Saharan Africa, a region deeply affected by the HIV/AIDS epidemic. Many parents passed away from the disease, leaving behind elderly grandparents or young children to care for entire families on their own. In many rural communities where money is scarce, you will find children as young as 10 years old staying alone at their homesteads while raising their younger siblings.

These are some of the heartbreaking realities and long-term effects of HIV/AIDS.

There are very limited social benefits available to support these families. As a result, many children cannot attend school because they cannot afford school fees, uniforms, or books. Some do not even know where their next meal will come from.

I will be participating in the Shoppers Drug Mart Run for Women to raise funds and awareness for the Canadian Mental Health Association, but there was also something deeper in my soul pushing me to do something — anything — for orphaned and vulnerable children (OVC's) from my home country.

My own mother, Charity Ruvimbo Faranando, had no choice but to marry my father so she could continue going to school. She was only 17 years old, while my father was 50 years old.

My mother came from Guruve, a rural district in the Mashonaland Central province of Zimbabwe. There are two rural primary schools there — Chinembiri and Chemachinda — which work extensively with the Salvation Army. They do their best to suppor tOVC's in these areas, but resources are limited and they can only assist a small number of children.

Our goal is to help raise funds so that as many children as possible can return to school and receive the resources they need to successfully complete primary school. We hope to support them consistently over several years.

Your donation will help us work through The Salvation Army to support these children with school fees, uniforms, books,food and other essentials.

Tom Stubbs, a fellow Petrean from the Peterhouse Group of Schools in Zimbabwe, will also be running in support of this cause. Tom is based in Saskatchewan and has previously raised funds for many causes, most recently the Jim Patterson Kids Hospital cancer fundraise in Saskatoon.

This campaign has honestly done more for me than it has for anyone else.

I was inspired by my cousin, Vongai Bayiwa, who runs consistently in Zimbabwe. Over the past year, I have watched her become stronger, faster, and healthier. She has truly led by example, and because of her encouragement, I decided to return to running this year.

I am currently overweight, and having a meaningful reason to run is helping me stay disciplined and consistent.

Both Tom and Vongai will be running in their respective locations on race day. Please help us support these children. We are counting on you.

Vongai will present the funds raised to The Salvation Army in Zimbabwe, and we wil provide updates and a breakdown showing how the donations were used.

Thank you for reading this far.

And if you are unable to donate, please support the cause by running wherever you are on Sunday, June 6th, 2026.

Yours Truly,

Rebecca Ruvando

#blackgirlonadestinyassignment