Gloria Elikana, a beautiful toddler born on September 16, 2024, tragically lost her life after being struck by a train in Springfield, MA. Gloria was the beloved daughter of Elikana Jackson and Happiness Raphael, immigrants from Tanzania with roots in Burundi and Rwanda. The family fled the genocide and lived as refugees in Tanzania until they found hope and a new beginning in the United States in 2016. Gloria leaves behind her siblings Grace (13), Jackson (10), Beatrice (8), Brighton (5), and Justin (3), who are all struggling to understand and cope with the loss of their little sister.

The family is in shock and mourning. Elikana, Gloria’s father, has served as a pastor for the past seven years and is known for his dedication to his community. The pain of losing Gloria is compounded by memories of his older brother, who also died in an accident years ago, awakening intense trauma for him. Happiness, Gloria’s mother, is struggling to reconcile with the death of her baby girl. The family works hard to provide for their children, but this tragedy has left them facing overwhelming funeral expenses and emotional hardship.

We want to thank everyone for their support and recognize the deep mourning the family is experiencing. Your kindness and generosity will help cover funeral costs and provide much-needed support as the family grieves and tries to heal. Please consider donating to help this family through an unimaginable loss.