Causes: Economic Development, International, International Development, Nonprofit Management, Public & Societal Benefit

Mission: Locally, nationally and internationally, Lighting the Path is using its skills to empower those in poverty and assist marginalized populations with education, skills training and supplies to help them help themselves. We travel to every corner of the globe to help women, children and families in need while respecting cultural differences, building self-reliance and maintaining dignity.

Results: We have trained a large number of women and assisted in the organization of a Women's Association with 18 women in the village of Kimini. We provided equipment and supplies, training and business skills to begin soap and lotion making production along with small business product marketing and management skills. This project has been very successful with the women earning a wage which enables their families to prosper.

Target demographics: Marginalized populations, women and teen girls in impoverished countries

Direct beneficiaries per year: women through trainng and micro-finance services and spent time in Africa teaching skills for small enterprise management to women

Geographic areas served: Africa, additional foreign countries, and St. Louis, MO

Programs: Women empowerment projects teaching women how to make handmade goods such as soap, sewing and weaving and training women in small business skills. We also use micro-finance and training to assist women in starting small enterprise