Four children lost their fathers on 21 May.

Help us be there for their families.

On 21 May, Rangers Kasereka Valyathire Baraka and Munguakonkwa Mihigo Jacques were killed in a deliberate armed attack at Kamuhororo, on the southern shore of Lake Edward. Both were in their thirties. Both leave behind a widow and two young children, six more people now depending on this fund.

In January, severe flooding destroyed the Mutsora Workshop, the facility that gave widows from the Northern Sector a place to work, earn, and rebuild their lives. The women it supported have been without it ever since. Then on 24 May, we lost a second workshop to disaster. Of the three workshops that form the backbone of this programme, only our Goma facility remains.

The Fallen Rangers Fund has never been needed more, or stretched further.

How the Fallen Rangers Fund supports families
From the day a ranger is killed, the fund steps in and stays.

  • Full salary for 6 months, then an ongoing pension so families can plan ahead.

  • Widows and children receive medical care through Park facilities.

  • Children attend school. Widows access literacy, skills, and vocational training.

  • Sewing, quilting, jewellery - skills and income in a community setting.

  • Graduates have gone on to work in energy, chocolate production, and more.

2026 — a year of loss

2026

Opened September 2017

Severe flooding devastated the Mutsora facility, which served widows from the Northern Sector. The women who depended on it for income, skills, and community have been without it ever since.

2026

Kasereka Valyathire Baraka (35) and Munguakonkwa Mihigo Jacques (34) were killed in a deliberate armed attack. Both leave behind a widow and two young children — six more people now depending on this fund.

2026

Opened September 2016

The Rumangabo Workshop, the first and longest-running of the three widows' workshops, was lost on 24 May. However, the women have already relocated and resumed their activities. Of the three original workshop facilities that formed the backbone of this programme, only the Goma facility remains intact.

2026

Open and operational

Our Goma facility continues to operate, despite the city being under rebel occupation.

January 2026

Mutsora Workshop destroyed by flooding

21 May 2026

Kasereka Valyathire Baraka and Munguakonkwa Mihigo Jacques were killed

24 May 2026

Rumangabo Workshop lost to disaster

Now

Goma Workshop — still standing

2026

Opened September 2017

Severe flooding devastated the Mutsora facility, which served widows from the Northern Sector. The women who depended on it for income, skills, and community have been without it ever since.

2026

Kasereka Valyathire Baraka (35) and Munguakonkwa Mihigo Jacques (34) were killed in a deliberate armed attack. Both leave behind a widow and two young children — six more people now depending on this fund.

2026

Opened September 2016

The Rumangabo Workshop, the first and longest-running of the three widows' workshops, was lost on 24 May. However, the women have already relocated and resumed their activities. Of the three original workshop facilities that formed the backbone of this programme, only the Goma facility remains intact.

2026

Open and operational

Our Goma facility continues to operate, despite the city being under rebel occupation.

  • 2026

    Opened September 2017

    Severe flooding devastated the Mutsora facility, which served widows from the Northern Sector. The women who depended on it for income, skills, and community have been without it ever since.

  • 2026

    Kasereka Valyathire Baraka (35) and Munguakonkwa Mihigo Jacques (34) were killed in a deliberate armed attack. Both leave behind a widow and two young children — six more people now depending on this fund.

  • 2026

    Opened September 2016

    The Rumangabo Workshop, the first and longest-running of the three widows' workshops, was lost on 24 May. However, the women have already relocated and resumed their activities. Of the three original workshop facilities that formed the backbone of this programme, only the Goma facility remains intact.

  • 2026

    Open and operational

    Our Goma facility continues to operate, despite the city being under rebel occupation.

Photo credit: Bobby Neptune

Since September 2016, I have been part of the sewing workshop for widows of the fallen Rangers in Virunga. As a widow, participating in the workshop has been extremely helpful. We went from living in very difficult conditions to now having a house. With the money earned through the workshop activities, I can now send my 4 children to school. The widows' workshop is a project that has brought me a great deal of joy because it has enabled my children to attend school and live well. We love this project and hope that it will continue for many years.

Jeanette

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