Firelight Foundation
One of the best ways to change vulnerable children's lives is to support the local grassroots organizations serving children and families in need. Through our blog, "Ubuntu", we hope to bring you rich insight into what makes these communities and groups so resilient, effective, and remarkable by bringing you a diversity of voices and perspectives--especially those from the countries in Sub-Saharan Africa in which we work.
"Ubuntu" is an ethical concept of African origin that emphasizes community, sharing, and generosity, and is organized around the central belief that we're all connected to each other by our common humanity. We hope that our blog serves to connect our various communities even more, by providing glimpses into the lives of the children, families, and communities in Africa facing extraordinary challenges with extraordinary solidarity and courage.
We want to hear from you! Please use the comment function here or write to us at communications@firelightfoundation.org. Tell us what you're interested in hearing more about. We want to make our blog useful to those looking for new and better ways to support communities changing children's lives.
December 30, 2011
I have a confession to make. I don’t much like New Years Eve, at least the way I grew up celebrating it.
In part, this is because I’m a morning person, not a night owl. I’m writing this blog at 5:30 in the morning, with a steaming mug of hot coffee, and I’m alert and focused. It would be a different story at 11:30 at night.
Here in the US, New Years Eve has always seemed a bit like an endurance test [...]
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December 28, 2011
Meet Firelight Grantee Partner, the Mara Widows Development Group in Tanzania, a grassroots group making a big difference for children.
In 2002, four women in Tanzania came together to help widows affected by HIV to take care of their families. Calling themselves the Mara Widows Development Group, they quickly assessed the greatest needs in their community. When they saw the great poverty and stigma street children, orphans and vulnerable children and families faced, they decided to expand their programs to also [...]
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December 21, 2011
Our volunteer Emiley Stake is a rockstar at communications and a lover of Africa. The first time she left the U.S. was for Cape Town, South Africa and she fell in love with the place. She’s now traveled to 20 different countries, six of them in sub-Saharan Africa. We’re lucky to have her in Santa Cruz, California!
We asked Emiley why she volunteers each week at Firelight, helping us build our social media and website communications. Guess what she said…
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December 16, 2011
Meet two awesome Scotts Valley High School students who are helping Firelight to raise funds and reach out to other students. Each week they come to Firelight giving their time and ideas to help us grow.
We asked Madie and Antonio why they support Firelight, hear what they said in this video clip…
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December 14, 2011
This holiday season we’ve been talking with our donors to ask them why they give to Firelight Foundation. The answers are often personal and heartfelt.
So why does Hilary Bryant give to Firelight?
As a mother, her reasons are about children.
Listen to what she had to say in this video…
Why is Firelight important to you?
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December 9, 2011
A shout out from the Mayor feels pretty good! Especially when it’s from a Mayor as globally and locally conscious as Mayor Ryan Coonerty.
Santa Cruz Mayor Ryan Coonerty has been a great friend to Firelight Foundation. When we asked him to endorse the International Girl Effect Week this year he moved quickly telling us, “I am happy to support the incredible Firelight Foundation as they seek to improve the conditions and opportunities for girls around the world. I hope that proclaiming [...]
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December 7, 2011
A wise man once said that the support he received helped him to be where he is today–helping thousands of children. He said it was like they were planting a tree.
See what else Saeed Wame, Executive Director of Namwera AIDS Coordinating Committee, a Firelight grantee partner in Malawi had to say in this powerful video.
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BojNxi-3Cpg
Do you have a message for Saeed? Post it below!
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December 2, 2011
Yesterday was World AIDS Day and marked the thirtieth anniversary of the world’s recognition of AIDS. Millions of people came together to support the 33.3 million people battling AIDS around the world, to show our support and help end the negative stigmas surrounding HIV and AIDS.
At Firelight, we saw a lot of support around World AIDS Day.
The ABC Million Moms Challenge featured a story about Firelight Foundation and its founder Kerry Olson. From Different Corners of the World: Mothers Make a [...]
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November 30, 2011
We give because it makes us feel good. It’s the joy of being able to make a gift. That joy is powerful, and in philanthropy it’s further
amplified by the human connections we make.
On a recent trip to Malawi I visited an HIV/AIDS Testing and Counseling Center where I met Shelly Raphael. Shelly is in charge of testing people for HIV at the center. When I asked Shelly to help me comprehend the immense value of her program, I expected to hear [...]
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