Dawn Weathersbee is an engagement associate for a non-profit organization that assists street children in Kigali, Rwanda. The organization provides counseling, support from social workers, and helps reintegrate boys back into Rwandan society. It funds teachers' salaries, school supplies, reunification kits for families, and a radio program about challenges faced by street children.

1. Dawn Weathersbee, Engagement
Associate

4. A non-profit organization assisting street children in Kigali, Rwanda

5. Provide counseling by a qualified psychotherapist and
continuous support from social workers.
Reintegrate boys back into Rwandan society

6. What Firelight Funded
Teachers salaries and school supplies so boys could be
prepared to re-enter government schools or begin a
vocation
Reunification kits that includes a family-appropriate
mix of medical insurance, bedding, two small
livestock, and funds for education and micro-enterprise
development, as needed
The development and broadcast of a radio program
about the challenges faced by children living on the
street to increase community sensitivity to children’s
rights, as well as create a community dialogue to help
prevent child homelessness

7. Reducing HIV Transmission and Mitigating its Impact

8. Address the needs of orphans, vulnerable children, and the chronically ill, with
the goal of mitigating the impact of HIV/AIDS and preventing further HIV
infections
Improve the economic and nutritional status of households caring for vulnerable
children
youth recreation clubs
Create community-based childcare centers
Create and support HIV/AIDS resource centers
Train in livestock management, carpentry and small business
management

9. What Firelight Funded
Covered shipping costs so that the computers reached
Namwera, allowing children the opportunity to access
skills to improve their standard of living in the future
Support meetings that aim to sensitize and mobilize
communities to care, support, and protect
children, preventing child abuse
Livestock management training, carpentry and small
business management training
Provided goats to caregivers following a three-day
training in goat livestock management
Meals for vocational students, piecework to help
them earn an income, and job placement support
The administrative activities of NACC to
effectively manage its programs

10. Empowering the poor and disadvantaged people of Zambia to maintain
their health and sustain their well being.

11. HIV prevention, counseling, treatment, and testing
Conservation (organic) farming
Comprehensive care program for orphans and vulnerable children that addresses
needs in areas of education, psychological support, health, nutrition, shelter and
economic advancement

12. What Firelight Funded
School fees and supplies
Inputs for organic farming
Livelihood training for orphans and vulnerable children
Food for children
Production of fuel efficient stoves
Solar dryers to preserve fruit for families
HIV-prevention education for youth
A computer, a printer, and supporting
software

13. We believe that grassroots
programs arising in direct response
to children’s and families’ needs
within the local community are
often the most effective.
We love supporting long-
term, sustainable change.
We love to see
healthy, happy, educated
and cared-for kids.

14. Dawn Weathersbee
Engagement Associate