‘What now, what next’: Reflecting on the vulnerability of children and youth in the context of human immunodeficiency virus and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome

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Acknowledgement

The community of people working to improve the lives of children affected by HIV/AIDS was sad to learn that Jennifer Astone is stepping down as Executive Director of the Firelight Foundation after 7 years of outstanding leadership. Under her guidance, the Foundation grew from three staff and a portfolio of 30 grantees to the current 14 staff and a cumulative total of over 300 grantees, having received over 700 grants totalling USD 8.6 million. Aside from the work Jennifer conducted to strengthen Firelight as an organization, she helped to establish it as a leader in the philanthropic community. One example of this leadership was in the founding of the Coalition on Children Affected by AIDS (CCABA), a collective of private or public foundations and re-granting organizations, from both the North and the South, that provide grants to improve the lives of children living in the context of HIV/AIDS. Her experience, sensitivity, intellect and vision have been a tremendous asset to the work of CCABA. Jennifer has also been a key player in the African Grantmakers' Affinity Group (AGAG). While Jennifer takes time off to spend with her family and to consider her next career move, her colleagues will no doubt be eagerly awaiting her return. In the meantime, we wish her a well-deserved break and a fulfilling new year.