Public health official and human rights activist Rutendo Mukotsanjera has died of the coronavirus, leaving her daughter Chichi to be looked after by the Renew Church in Uttoxeter, Staffordshire
Rutendo Mukotsanjera died, leaving behind her daughter ChichiUK Mirror|A 12-year-old girl who lost her mother to the coronavirus has been left without family in the UK.
On April 10, Rutendo Mukotsanjera died at the age of 45 having contracted Covid-19.
She was a prominent public health official and a human rights activist, having previously worked for the Infrastructure Bank in Zimbabwe.
Rutendo leaves behind her daughter Chiedza, who goes by the name Chichi.
The 12-year-old is currently being looked after by members of the Renew Church in Uttoxeter, Staffordshire, where the mum was a loyal member.
Church officials have contacted Chichi’s family in Zimbabwe to discuss where the young girl should go next.
The 45-year-old died of the coronavirusPastor Matthew Murray said: “Chichi was inseparable from her mum and is understandably very upset after being told the news late last night.
“Chichi is currently being cared for and is in the safe hands of a member of our church nearby as we begin the logistics of what life will look like for Chichi in the next few weeks and months.
“We still don’t know where Chichi will live and we are talking to her family in Zimbabwe to discuss the best possible plan.
“Whatever happens, we will support her. She is one of our own.”
The church is now looking after Rutendo's daughterThe pastor has set up a fundraiser to support Chichi and to pay for her mother’s funeral.
He added: “We want to show Chichi that she is not alone. She is a young, brave woman of strong Christian faith and we want her to know that Renew Church and the wider community is behind her.
“This fund will help with any funeral and legal costs and ALL surplus will be given to aiding Chichi’s future.”
Rutendo’s cousin Cindy Munyavi, a musician, tweeted: “Thank you for your prayers. Unfortunately my cousin Rutendo Mukotsanjera didn’t make it.
“She was an amazing person. Covid-19 is such a harsh reality and it takes losing a loved one for one to realise what a monster it is.
“Please stay at home for your sake and others.”
So far more than £30,000 has been raised for Chichi and to sort out her late mother’s fuenral.
There have been 1,008 confirmed cases of the coronavirus in Staffordshire.