Canada is undeniably a beautiful country, renowned for its welcoming spirit and the support it offers to immigrants, for which we are truly grateful. However, despite these positive aspects, many immigrant families find themselves struggling with loneliness, overwhelmed by the profound changes they face, and challenged by the difficulty of adapting to a new way of life. The elderly, in particular, are often isolated, grappling with unfamiliar food, climate, and social norms. Meanwhile, our children experience a disconnection from their roots, leading to a crisis of identity.

As they navigate these unfamiliar waters, many individuals feel adrift, facing mental health struggles and a sense of purposelessness in a country that feels foreign to them. Families across generations encounter unique challenges that transcend mere difficulties—they reflect a profound crisis of belonging, cultural preservation, and the future. This is an urgent call for support and action.

In my own journey to address these challenges, I confided in my dear friend Dorine, who serves on the board of our organization. Her husband, Hypax, joined us after work, and together we discovered that we shared a collective vision. It was as though our conversation gave life to a long-held dream.

Hypax, the president of UFHC, shared that he had long yearned for meaningful change within our community. He dreamed that, if ever fortunate enough, he would use his resources to build a community centre for East Africans—much like those established by well-rooted communities such as Ukrainians and Italians.

Shortly after, I met with Elodie, another board member, and learned that she too harboured a desire to foster unity through community-centred activities.

This led to regular meetings where we collaborated on creating an action plan to turn our shared vision into reality. Our first summer camp, held in July 2023, was a resounding success. We welcomed over 20 children from our community, offering them the chance to learn Kinyarwanda, Kirundi, traditional dances, sports, and other recreational activities. On the final day, leaders and members of our community came out to celebrate this milestone with us.

In the summer of 2023, we also formed two community groups: the Elders Group (Abahetsi) and the Women’s Group, both designed to provide a space for regular gatherings. These groups now meet weekly to discuss the challenges they face and explore ways to overcome them.

In the fall of 2023, Alexander, my husband, and Bruno, Elodie’s husband, who had also shared a similar vision, officially joined us, forming the current board of UFHC. Together, as a united team of six board members, we began transforming our ideas into tangible actions, bound by a collective belief that true change starts with us.

Although three families came together to establish this foundation, we have always known that UFHC is larger than any one of us. It’s not just for us—it’s for the entire community. We understand that we cannot do this alone, and we welcome everyone who feels they have something to contribute. Whether you are an individual, an organization, or simply someone who believes in our mission, we invite you to join us in this journey.

If you wish to support, collaborate, or learn more about how you can get involved, please reach out to us through the contact information on this website. We are eager to connect you with the right person. Together, we can build a stronger, more unified future for generations to come.‎