Elena's Light (USA)
BH Fellow 2019
Fereshteh Ganjavi (USA)
Elena's Light
Fereshteh is an Afghan refugee who arrived in the US without the resources to thrive in her new country. After working incredibly hard to learn English while raising children with her husband, she earned her university degree and worked as a healthcare coordinator for the refugee community in New Haven, CT. In recognition of the extraordinary opportunity that she was granted, Fereshteh founded Elena's Light to help refugees by providing in-home programs for their children in health and hygiene education and health services as well as local engagement activities to promote social integration within their new community.
OUR PROGRAMS
We fund programs, projects and products that aim to positively impact the lives of communities (children, youth, families, etc.) affected by conflict and war in the Middle East.
TECHNOLOGY
Refugee children live under unusual and difficult conditions with little or no access to technology that can improve their lives. With our innovative programs, we are reaching a wide range of children with groundbreaking technology that teach them literacy skills and improve their access to higher education.
EDUCATION
Millions of refugee children are missing out on an education. Without an opportunity to learn, they risk becoming a lost generation with little chance for a better future. Through sustainable programs, our Fellows are working to ensure refugees can learn and develop the skills they need to succeed in life.
CHILD DEVELOPMENT
The development of the "whole child" from early childhood through adolescence is critical to long-term development and success of all children. Blossom Hill is committed to providing innovative initiatives for refugee children that will not only prepare them for learning and academic success, but empower them with life skills as they continue to live under difficult conditions.
JOB TRAINING
For refugee youth whose education has been interrupted and ability to earn a livelihood undermined by war and conflict, the future is bleak. We are dedicated to empowering these youth to break from the cycle of poverty by offering innovative vocational training in computer skills, business entrepreneurship and language instruction.
