Letters of Light

In Burundi, survival is everyday life.

Burundi, Africa

Nestled in East Africa, Burundi is a land of breathtaking beauty and extraordinary, resilient people. Yet, as one of the world's poorest countries, survival often overshadows aspirations. This is where Letters of Light makes a profound difference.

Our Mission: Education & Healing

Letters of Light began with something simple, a box of children’s stationery, and grew into something extraordinary. What started as paper and pencil has become a path to both education and deep, lasting healing.

In Burundi, where daily life is shaped by survival, we have created a space where children and women can pause, reflect, and express. Through letter writing and art, they are building essential academic skills while also finding their voice, expressing gratitude, hopes, and dreams.

My Story

Hello, I’m Ashley, founder of Coral & Blue Paper Company. I create children’s stationery designed to make writing simple, joyful, and meaningful.

This began at my kitchen table with my two children, helping them write thank-you notes. In those small, everyday moments, I saw exactly what kids need: space to write, lines that guide them, and room to be creative. So I designed and patented a line of kid-friendly stationery, now used by families across the country.

But the most meaningful part of this journey came from one small step. I sent a box of stationery to my friend Maurice, a teacher in Burundi. The children connected with it immediately. What started as a simple gift has grown into Letters of Light—a nationwide writing and art program supporting education, self-expression, and trauma healing.

On the Ground Work

On the Ground Work

Through Letters of Light, children and women gather in safe, supportive spaces led by trained teachers often experiencing, for time to reflect, write, draw, and imagine their future. They write letters of gratitude, hope, and untold thoughts and then share them aloud.

In that moment, something shifts. Voices are found. Confidence grows. Connection takes root.

This work strengthens literacy and critical thinking, while also offering something deeper: a path to healing, self-worth, and new possibility.

Supporting Women

The impact of Letters of Light has grown beyond children. We now serve women across these communities, many of whom have experienced trauma or abuse at home or in the workplace.

Through writing and art, women are given a safe, consistent space to express themselves, rebuild confidence, and find their voice, often for the first time. Together, they are also coming together to share ideas and begin creating real change in their work, their environment, and their future with a renewed sense of possibility.

The Letters of Light Impact

What makes Letters of Light different is exactly this: in a place where survival has always come first, it creates space to think about something more; hopes, dreams, gratitude, and identity. That shift is powerful.

Today, Letters of Light reaches over 10,000 children and women through 26 trained teachers, delivering both meaningful education and lasting emotional healing. It is simple, intentional work, and it is changing how people see themselves and what they believe is possible.

What Your Support Makes Possible

• A year-round writing and art program for children, building literacy, confidence, and self-expression
• A dedicated writing and creative program for women, supporting healing and personal growth
• 30 trained teachers leading both educational and trauma-informed work on the ground
• Desks and chairs for classrooms, creating stable and consistent learning spaces
• School supplies that support ongoing education
• Essential hygiene items, including sanitary products for girls and women, helping them remain in school
• Fabric for clothing, along with clothing and shoes
• Food for children and families, supporting their ability to learn, grow, and participate

Every donation supports both education and healing—meeting immediate needs while creating something far more lasting: a voice, a sense of self, and the freedom to imagine a different future.