A Thanksgiving Message from African Communities

“Tuletotela Sana.” That is how our friends at Community Based Care Foundation in Zambia say thank you. Thanksgiving is a special holiday for those of us from the United States and Canada.   I feel that giving thanks is an art form and that it’s something we never do enough of.  It’s no surprise that my favorite part of being Development Associate is thanking our donors for their contributions and our grassroots communities for their support.

This year for Thanksgiving, I thought it would be nice to give our grantee-partners the opportunity to reach our to our donors.  So our Program Associate Mia Schmid asked them the following question, “If you could tell Firelight’s donors something or thank them somehow, what would you say? “

We encouraged responses in local languages, so some phrases may not translate perfectly, but their graciousness translates completely.

Here’s what they wanted to say to you.

Empilweni, South Africa

“Empilweni is very grateful to Firelight and Partners for the trouble you undertook and contributed to our capacity development to this end and at the same time ensured that our roots remain deeply rooted in matters pertaining to child protection, at Empilweni and Khayelitsha.”

Enukweni Community Based Organization, Malawi

"We in Malawi, in particular at Enukweni Community, would therefore want to extend our THANKS to donors for their support and we really appreciate for their hand as it has started giving hope for the children in villages we serve."

Pazesa Horticultural Community, Zambia

"PAZESA is extremely thankful to firelight and all her donors for bringing water to our doorstep at the resource center making a good learning environment for the girl child, women and youths alike. Thanks also for considering our response in our native language to liberate us from from 'language colonialism'."

Masvingo Community Based Organization (MACOBAO), Zimbabwe

"We are pleasantly encouraged by your continued support to Firelight Foundation and this translates to a large number of children living in difficulty circumstances benefitting from your generous donations and gifts. Equally, we commend the contribution by various individuals and cooperates, well wishers who donate their resources to Firelight Foundation."

Matumaini Mapya, Tanzania

"We are a family of New Hope Corporation we like to offer our sincere gratitude to the leadership (Board), the staff and your donors for funding our programs for orphans and vulnerable (OVC / MVC) and families since 2005. It is a matter of pride that due to your funding we have been able to reach and serve our beneficiaries according to our plan."

Learn more about these Firelight partners and the work they do on our website.

We have so much to be thankful for and we are especially thankful for all of our partners improving children and families’ lives in Africa. And for our donors who make our work possible.

Tuletotela sana and Happy Thanksgiving!