EURASIA
AFGHAN INSTITUTE OF LEARNING
Founded in 1995 by visionary leader Dr. Sakena Yacoobi, the Afghan Institute of Learning (AIL) helps address poor access to education and health services for the people of Afghanistan, especially women and children. AIL is run entirely by Afghan women and aims to empower Afghan women and children with quality education and health services so that they can be self-sufficient. Ray of Light supports AIL’s training programs on topics including human rights, leadership and mobile literacy, and funds free access to health services and legal services. Ray of Light also supports Dr. Yacoobi’s radio station, Radio Meraj, which reaches hundreds of thousands of people with messages about health, human rights, peace and education.
AMERICAN NEAR EAST REFUGEE AID
American Near East Refugee Aid (Anera) advances the well-being of refugees, families and poor communities in Palestine and Lebanon. Anera responds to economic, health and educational needs with sustainable solutions and delivers humanitarian aid during emergencies. With Ray of Light’s support, Anera is able to deliver the most critically needed medicines and supplies to Al Shifa Hospital, Gaza’s largest public hospital and sole trauma center. Serving a population of 1.8 million, Al Shifa Hospital provides almost 70% of the public medical services in Gaza in peacetime and almost 90% of the emergency medical services during war and in times of unrest.
UNRWA USA
UNRWA (United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees) runs the largest education program in all of the Gaza Strip, protecting the basic right to education for Palestine refugee girls surrounded by poverty and violence. Since 2018, Ray of Light has supported operations at two UNRWA primary schools in the Gaza Strip, serving more than 2,600 girls.
PALESTINE FAIR TRADE ASSOCIATION
Palestine Fair Trade Association (PFTA) is a union of more than 1,700 small farmers working with fair trade cooperatives across Palestine. PFTA provides farmers with access to markets for their goods, including olive oil and other agricultural products. Ray of Light supported PFTA micro-loans for 30 female entrepreneurs and farmers in Palestine, enabling them to grow their businesses and small enterprises.
THE DREAM FOUNDATION
Founded by Humaira Bachal, The Dream Foundation Trust aims to provide education to the children of the Brohi Village in the outskirts of Karachi, Pakistan. Madonna and the Ray of Light Foundation supported the construction of The Dream School in Pakistan, now serving more than 1,200 children in Brohi Village in the outskirts of Karachi, Pakistan.
BAHAY TULUYAN
Bahay Tuluyan delivers social services and programs to prevent and respond to child abuse and exploitation in the Philippines. Madonna has supported Bahay Tuluyan’s Sinag (“ray of light”) Center in Manila that provides children in need with emergency services and shelter. Ray of Light supported the costs of staff and social workers, food, education, clothing, medical needs, water and electricity.
MERCY CORPS
Mercy Corps helps people around the world survive and thrive after conflict, crisis and natural disaster. Following the devastating Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines in 2013, Ray of Light funded Mercy Corps’ work to help survivors meet their basic needs and begin rebuilding.