Hello <span contenteditable="false" data-custom-variable="{{firstname}}" fr-original-class="fr-deletable styled-tag-chip" fr-original-style="" style="background-color: rgb(248, 248, 255); border: 1px solid rgb(191, 191, 255); border-radius: 4px; color: rgb(42, 42, 196); padding: 1px 8px; font-size: 11px; display: inline-block; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: anywhere; user-select: none; box-sizing: inherit;">First name,On behalf of the entire team at Bright Lights For Africa Foundation, thank you for your generous support of Femmes Actrices du Changement. Your contribution is more than a donation &mdash; it is a powerful statement of belief in Black Francophone women and their capacity to lead, heal, and transform their communities. Because of you, women who have faced systemic barriers are now stepping into their power, turning challenges into opportunities, and building a future rooted in strength, dignity, and leadership.Together, we are not only changing lives &mdash; we are shaping a movement. With deep gratitude, Jenny Rutayomba Motofunding@brightlightsforafrica.ca

Help Us Empower Francophone Women — Reclaim Their Power and Lead With PurposeBright Lights For Africa Foundation (BLFA) is a charitable, non-profit organization operating in both Canada and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). We empower marginalized communities by addressing critical needs, fostering resilience, and promoting self-sufficiency.In Canada, our work centers on supporting Francophones of African descent in Calgary and surrounding areas through culturally sensitive programs that break systemic barriers, enhance well-being, and create pathways to long-term success.In the DRC, we partner with vulnerable, rural, and conflict-affected communities — especially women and youth — to expand access to education, economic opportunity, leadership development, and community resilience.Our work is guided by one core belief: When people are seen, supported, and empowered, communities thrive.Why Femmes Actrices Du Changement?Francophone women of African descent in Calgary carry rich cultural legacies—but also face complex barriers tied to race, language, gender, and migration. They are leaders, caregivers, community builders. Yet, they are often excluded from leadership tables, underserved by mainstream programs, and silenced by systemic challenges. Femmes Actrices du Changement was created as a direct response—To offer healing, connection, and leadership development grounded in culture, community, and identity.It’s more than a program—it’s a movement that:<ul><li>Creates space for women to heal from personal and intergenerational trauma</li><li>Equips them with tools to lead in their homes and communities</li><li>Recognizes and affirms their lived experiences, talents, and potential</li><li>Builds a collective force for representation, inclusion, and meaningful change</li></ul> The Vision: Reclaiming Voices, Leading with Strength Femmes Actrices du Changement envisions a community where Francophone women of African descent rise as confident, connected, and culturally rooted leaders. A future where they:<ul><li>Reclaim their voices and shape their own narratives</li><li>Lead with strength, pride, and purpose</li><li>Break systemic barriers and open doors for others</li><li>Heal together, thrive together, and drive meaningful change in their homes, their communities, and beyond</li></ul>Our Impact: Laying the Foundation for ChangeIn May 2025, Femmes Actrices du Changement launched its first leadership session, marking the beginning of a powerful journey rooted in healing, connection, and purpose. The session welcomed over 35 women, representing 13 Francophone African countries. Participants gathered in a safe, culturally affirming space to:<ul><li>Reflect on their personal journeys as women, immigrants, and leaders</li><li> Share stories of resilience, grief, and hope during the Healing Through Mourning session</li><li>Connect across languages, cultures, and lived experiences</li><li>Begin reclaiming their voices and stepping into leadership with purpose</li></ul> Our Goals for 2025: From Healing to Leadership, Driving Collective GrowthOur first cohort welcomed Francophone women of African descent from 13 Francophone countries. These women came together to begin a transformative journey grounded in healing, leadership, and cultural affirmation.As momentum builds, we expect to see an average of 80 women attending each month. Together, participants will engage in core sessions designed to ignite personal growth and collective transformation, including:<ul><li>Healing Through Mourning – Honoring their Homeland and Finding Strength in theirJourney</li><li>Future Literacy – Seeing their Future with Hope and Opportunities</li><li>Leadership Development – Building Community Through Service</li><li>Leadership and Skills Building – Rising for Change</li><li>Leadership in Action – Turning Vision into Impact</li></ul> What Your Donation Will DoAnnual Fundraising Goal: $60,000 CADYour donation helps us deliver a full year of Femmes Actrices du Changement—supporting healing, leadership, and empowerment for Francophone women of African descent in Calgary.Here’s how your donation will make a difference:<ul><li>$20,000 – Francophone culturally grounded leadership training, workshops, and guest facilitators</li><li>$15,000 – Participant support: meals, transportation, and childcare for barrier-free access</li><li>$10,000 – Community leadership projects designed and led by program participants</li><li>$8,000 – Program coordination, materials, and evaluation</li><li>$7,000 – Storytelling, photography, and public engagement to amplify voices</li></ul> Why Femmes Actrices du Changement MattersBlack Francophone women in Calgary carry powerful stories of resilience—but too often, they remain unheard, underserved, and unseen. They face overlapping barriers that limit their well-being, leadership, and visibility:<ul><li>Language and cultural exclusion in an English-dominant society</li><li>Underemployment despite high levels of education and professional experience</li><li>Limited access to leadership opportunities and culturally relevant services</li><li>Social isolation, economic instability, and higher rates of unemployment</li></ul>Femmes Actrices du Changement was created as a response to these realities. It is a space where Black Francophone women can heal, connect, and lead—in their language, on their terms, and with the tools to shape change in their communities.Join Us – Fuel the Movement, Empower the WomenYour donation helps create a powerful ripple effect—equipping women to lead with purpose, rebuild with pride, and drive meaningful change across generations. Your donation  is eligible for a charitable tax receipt.  Charitable Registration Number: 71650 4535 RR0001

Bright Lights For Africa Foundation

Femmes Actrices du Changement: Transforming Challenges Into Opportunities

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