The Multiplier Effect: Creating a Cycle of Change in Zambia

May 15, 2013
The Multiplier Effect: Creating a Cycle of Change in Zambia

Louis Mwewa, Firelight Resource Person in Zambia, wrote the following story after his recent site visit to Firelight partner Pazesa Horticulture Community. This story captures the resilience of families, the importance of sustainable programming, and how communities play an important role in creating a cycle of change.

The Multiplier Effect: Creating a Cycle of Change in Zambia

From a distance, one would mistake her to be a lady in her late thirties or her early forties. She is humble and very simple in ...

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Today’s the Day: 10 Days 4 Change

May 13, 2013
Today’s the Day: 10 Days 4 Change

In the U.S., $12 pays for three lattes. In Tanzania, $12 pays for a child’s education for an entire year.

10 Days for Change is a fundraising campaign led by students in the Santa Cruz County to support communities, students, and education in Africa. Beginning today, our goal is to raise $10,000 in 10 days. We’re challenging 100 students to each raise $100 from their families and friends.

10 Days for Change was inspired by students who are lucky enough to be given ...

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A Working Mom’s First Mother’s Day

May 8, 2013
A Working Mom’s First Mother’s Day

This will be my first mother’s day. Last year at this time I was only a few months pregnant. This year I have a big, squirmy boy, nearly 7 months old who has his own ideas about what he’d like to be doing. He loves sweet potatoes and seems to be on the brink of crawling. He grabs hold of my face and gives me big slimy kisses. What a difference a year makes!

I have been back at work for ...

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The Will To Do Good and Do Right

May 1, 2013
The Will To Do Good and Do Right

If you’ve ever tried to do it, giving away large sums of money is harder to do than you might think. Grantmaking organizations face a number of regulations imposed by the government, dictating who we can give grants to and under what circumstances. To complicate things further, the regulations are often vague and difficult to interpret without expensive legal counsel. It’s only a matter of time before grantmakers start resenting the barriers we face in trying to get money out the door. We’re just trying to do ...

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Communities Protect the Environment in Malawi

April 22, 2013
Communities Protect the Environment in Malawi

Happy Earth Day!  The environment is an issue many Firelight partners address, here’s one story from Malawi that’s led to increased food security and protection of our planet.

As a nation, Malawi tends to be highly dependent on chemical fertilizers. One community-based organization saw this as an opportunity for increased community leadership and protection of our environment. Enukweni Community-Based Organization invited farmers to become role models for organic farming that produces higher yields while decreasing the damaging environmental impact of chemical ...

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Cell Phones Help Reach Community Members In Africa

April 17, 2013
Cell Phones Help Reach Community Members In Africa

Most people know cell phones are widely used in Africa, but we were curious how they are being used in community-based programs. So we interviewed Juhudi Mbwambo, the Executive Director of Elimu Community Light, a Firelight partner in Tanzania to ask how he uses SMS technology to communicate with the beneficiaries of the programs…

What problem are you trying to address with SMS technology?

Lack of knowledge and skills needed for improving Early Childhood Development and Education among parents and caregivers.

Why did you choose to use SMS as a ...

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Hard Times Are a Thing of The Past for One Family in Zimbabwe

April 10, 2013
Hard Times Are a Thing of The Past for One Family in Zimbabwe

Small livestock production has proved to have the most immediate and pronounced impact on income, food and livelihood security. For families caring for vulnerable children, growth in small livestock production reflects transformation from subsistence to more diverse income generating activities or even graduating to commercial types of livelihoods activities.

Firelight partner Masvingo Community Based HIV/AIDS and Vulnerable Children Organization (MACOBAO) operates a small livestock breeding program in Zimbabwe. The program ensures that families have better access to markets.

They train families in livestock ...

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Madonna was in Malawi Today (Other Important Things Happened Too)

April 4, 2013
Madonna was in Malawi Today (Other Important Things Happened Too)

Every time Madonna visits Malawi, it eclipses the news of the country. Malawi is a country in the midst of leadership transition, steep inflation, and some turmoil. But if you take a look at Malawi in the news today, you will probably hear about Madonna’s 15 million dollar academy that has not materialized or maybe catch a glimpse of her adopted children.

There are many other things going on in Malawi too.

Today, and every other day, our partners in Malawi are ...

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Capacity Building Done The Firelight Way

April 3, 2013
Capacity Building Done The Firelight Way

We’re dedicated to building the capacity of community organizations. The way we see it, community organizations have a particular trajectory of growth and development and our role is to understand and respect that trajectory and support the organization on its own, unique path.

The very core of our grantmaking procedures, the application process, and ongoing relationship with the grantee-partners are the foundation of our capacity building. By asking questions that support reflection, we work to help our grantees ...

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A Grassroots Voice for an International Audience

March 27, 2013
A Grassroots Voice for an International Audience

Saeed Wame

Saeed Wame, the executive director of Namwera AIDS Coordinating Committee (NACC) in Malawi recently attended a UNICEF Regional ECD Workshop in South Africa on behalf of Firelight, supported through a partnership with the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation. The workshop brought together practitioners in the field of Early Childhood Development (ECD), with Saeed the only representative of a CBO working in ECD. Saeed shared with us his experience at the workshop and the impact it’s made on his work:

“The ...

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