illuminAid Year in Review - New Accomplishments, Expanded Footprint, & Giving Thanks

2021 has been a pivotal year in the day-to-day operations of illuminAid. After 2020 and the rise of a pandemic that has seemingly damaged everything in its path, we certainly needed a bounceback year, like so many other businesses and non-profits around the world. Thankfully, with the gracious support of donors and a quasi-return to normalcy (that was deterred at times by new variants of COVID-19), illuminAid was able to re-integrate its usual amount of programming with international NGOs and government entities in 2021 to great aplomb.

In the history of the organization, illuminAid has usually embarked on 4-5 international program deployments per year. This has been done to serve the most impoverished communities in the world by building the capacity of international NGOs and ministries of government to channel a much more scalable approach to knowledge dissemination that can reach the poorest people in the world. Of course, we’re talking about the wonders of video technology.

We can be completely upfront with our supporters that in 2020, illuminAid was so hampered by the pandemic that we were only able to execute one project (collaborating with Africare in Kenya), and that occurred right around when the lockdowns started to happen around the world. From there, 2020 was an immense struggle that the organization had never previously experienced. Some people could probably not help but wonder how global poverty would ever be overcome after such a devastating development in the public health landscape.

However, if there was anything that remained ironclad and resilient, it was the role of philanthropy in society. Whether philanthropy was executed by major foundations or an individual donor, non-profits and humanitarian organizations across the globe were able to continue their missions and fight one of the biggest challenges that humankind has ever faced. This is absolutely true when thinking of illuminAid’s incredible donor base as well.

It was the generosity of our donors and worldwide partners that kept illuminAid going as the pandemic continued to spread. Once 2021 came, and many people in society started to embrace vaccinations, then the essential work of illuminAid could be kickstarted once again. Even better, 2021 ended up being an unforgettable year. illuminAid successfully executed programs to support impoverished communities in Liberia, Paraguay, Mozambique, and Pakistan. Specifically regarding Paraguay and Pakistan, 2021 marked the first time that illuminAid has ever supported extremely poor communities in those countries. 

Given the political strife in the Middle East, the successful execution of a project supporting Pakistani citizens in particular is an unprecedented feat in the history of illuminAid. It was also conducted in collaboration with a major international government entity that is a significant name in global public aid. GIZ (German Society for International Cooperation) worked with illuminAid for the first time on a video training workshop, and its impact on their beneficiaries all over the world will have positive ramifications that uplift countless lives that need help the most.

This is all a testament to the bravery and tenacity at the core of illuminAid. We are not afraid to explore new terrains, accomplish new milestones, and build our capacity to new levels when fulfilling our global mission. The one major variable that makes everything come to fruition is the consistent support of our donors, and they were the ones who kept our mission vibrant in the darkest of times.

It is with that in mind that we thank our donors one last time before we venture into the beginning of 2022. You are all generous and incredible souls that will forever mean so much to the illuminAid family. We look forward to reaching even greater heights next year, and your continued support will empower people in communities that we haven’t even explored yet. Perhaps that is what’s most exciting about it all.

Thank you so much, and have a fabulously merry end of 2021!