Despite the global economic crunch in the past few years, the year 2010 has been another busy period for Candlelight whereby the organization maintained projects in its different sectors. By pre-positioning itself to meet the negative impact of this trend on development work, the organization acted proactively by strengthening cost-effectiveness and targeting processes, thus continuing to reach its beneficiaries with the its support.
For CLHE, fifteen years have passed since its inception, and I believe, over that period of time, the organization had strived to touch the lives of thousands of people who benefited from Candlelight’s interventions in some way or another. In particular, mention has to be made on innovative ideas introduced in tackling HIV and AIDS by mainstreaming it into Gender and Education. Livelihoods support initiatives, in the area of water, agriculture, income-generation and environment were carried out in different areas. CLHE also continued to champion for the promotion of girl-child education and vocational training to youth of both sexes in a number of regions in the
country. The effects of adverse climatic situation, mainly in the form of droughts, were uncompromising, and proved to be a challenge to the realization of project objectives. However, despite of these challenges, we will just continue to be on the side of the marginalized, ready to respond to them in contributing to the alleviation of their problems, in line with the ideals enshrined in our philosophy.
On a sad note, the year was also marked by the passing away of a member of our Board of Director. The late Saeed Nuh joined Candlelight in 2002 as a project officer in the Health Department, and was later in 2008 appointed as a Board Member, a position which he held till his death. The deceased has left a deep imprint on the organization and with many of our beneficiaries as well – particularly for those hailing from Sanaag region.
I would like to thank the partner organizations for their support, the beneficiary community for receptiveness and cooperation, the line ministries for their guidance and the last but not the least, Candlelight staff for their commitment whereby the synergy achieved through the combination of the efforts of the stakeholders has contributed to creating a lasting impact on the communities.
Thank you again.
Shukri H Ismail
