Our Story
How Candle Light Foundation started
Candle Light Foundation - Uganda (CLF) is a Non-Government Organization that was founded in Uganda in 2001.
CLF's primary focus is to empower vulnerable Girls and Women by offering diverse education programs aimed at preparing them to live to their full potential. The foundation empowers women and girls with vocational skills such as tailoring, hairdressing computers and economic empowerment programs.
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All these skills can lead to entrepreneurial ventures the women and girls can launch upon completion.
The foundation also runs a High School for those with the potential to continue with formal education. It also creates a safe space for the women and girls to tell their stories and be heard in a safe and non-judgmental and empowering environment as well as to receive much-needed counselling services.
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Most of the women and girls have experienced domestic violence, rape, verbal and psychological abuse from a very early age.
From 2001 to date CLF has successfully supported over 3000 vulnerable Girls and Women in Uganda.
FOUNDERS
Erla Harldosdorttir
Erla had a vision of starting an organization to support vulnerable girls. To pursue this vision, she worked with FOCA, an organization dedicated to caring for street children in Uganda. In 2001, with Rosette Nabuuma, they established the Candle Light Foundation (CLF) in Kampala, Uganda.
Three years later, in 2004, Erla founded Alnæmisbörn, now known as CLF Iceland, to support the foundation’s operations in Uganda.
At the start of her career, Erla worked in general office administration, early childhood education, and laboratory work. In 1979, she moved with her family to Honduras, and in 1983, they relocated to Kenya, where she earned a degree in anthropology.
In 1993, Erla and her family moved to Uganda, where she became deeply interested in supporting orphans. After returning to Iceland in 1994, she continued her research into the challenges faced by Ugandan orphans. This passion led her to co-found the Candle Light Foundation, where homeless girls were trained in candle-making and given the support they needed to reintegrate into society.
Erla was deeply committed to her mission, dividing her time between Uganda and Iceland. Sadly, she passed away in 2004, not long after founding CLF Iceland. However, her legacy lives on through the thousands of lives transformed by the Candle Light Foundation
Rosette
Nabuuma
Rosette Nabuuma is a Founding Member and Director at Candle Light Foundation
Rosette has been with CLF Uganda since its inception in 2001.
At just 21 years old, she met Erla Halldórsdóttir, who saw great potential in her and entrusted her with the responsibility of running the organization at a remarkably young age.
At the time, Erla was volunteering with another organization, FOCA, which supported street children in Uganda. She was teaching girls how to make candles when she met Rosette. Erla decided to establish her own organization dedicated to empowering vulnerable girls. Together with Rosette, they founded CLF Uganda, which was officially registered in 2002. Sadly, Erla passed away in 2004 (RIP), but Rosette remained committed to their mission. With support from the Icelandic Government, CLF Iceland and other organizations, she kept CLF thriving. Today, CLF has transformed the lives of thousands of girls.
Rosette is a fearless, strong, and passionate woman. Her extraordinary journey has taken her from a humble village in Masaka, Uganda, to the halls of prestigious universities. From working long days in the fields of her homeland to mentoring and amplifying the voices of thousands of at-risk girls and women, she has remained committed in her mission.
Born into a polygamous family of 28 children in a community that did not value female education, Rosette developed an early determination to challenge and dismantle the oppressive beliefs that limited women’s opportunities.
As a founding member of the Candle Light Foundation, she has witnessed remarkable transformations and success stories. A significant milestone was reached in 2019 when, with the support of friends and Rotarians, a sister organization, Candle Light Foundation for Girls’ Education Canada (CLF Canada) was established.
Rosette shares her inspiring journey in her book:
"THE ENDING OF TEARS"
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