About Us
Creating brighter futures for children through learning,
opportunity, and empowerment.
Mission
Our mission is to advance disenfranchised children and their communities in rural areas around the globe by providing sustainable, culturally competent programs. Our holistic initiatives aim to increase access to education, clean water, and hygiene assistance.
About Kaleidoscope Child Foundation
Kaleidoscope Child Foundation is a nonprofit organization focused on increasing access to education, clean water, medical and hygiene assistance, and agricultural & technology training for children in emergent countries. We currently serve communities in Cambodia, India, Guatemala, and the U.S. delivering curriculums customized to the regions in which they are delivered through the integration of local culture.
Severely impoverished children, as a group, suffer the most from a lack of education and resources which adversely affects their growth and development both physically and psychologically, ultimately decreasing their quality of life. Providing educational programs and supportive resources such as power and clean water to these children in a sustainable manner is essential to breaking the cycle of poverty in their communities. Through our efforts we aim to improve the availability of these key assets and provide the tools for every child to experience a better now and a brighter tomorrow.
“You can’t care about some of it, you have to care about all of it.”
About Founder David Ault
Hear David’s story as he tells it and get to know the founder and CEO who continues to inspire our family of administrators, teachers, and volunteers daily.
My life’s purpose gained greater clarity when arriving in Siem Reap, Cambodia in January of 2004. What started out as simply hosting a group of travelers for a routine sacred site journey surprisingly turned into what is today, my sacred calling. The travelers on that tour experienced the raw and unforgettable privilege of feeding some of the most destitute souls along the banks of the Tonle Sap Lake in Southeast Asia. With everyone willing to buy three entire local street markets worth of indigenous food, the total cost came to a mere $86 US dollars. It was there, in that moment, alongside an empty vendor stand that one of life’s defining moments occurred.
I realized that somehow/some way, I could do something to create sustainable support for these children who had nothing – a vow that would transform my life. The first 5 years were slow going, yet in spite of many mistakes and disappointments, the beginning of the dream came true when gaining permission to open up a non-government regulated school within the Siem Reap province in 2009.
Since then, donor participation, yearly travel groups, ceaseless fundraising and grants have helped us build two educational campuses in Cambodia that serve more than 600 children annually in Siem Reap and the village of Nokor Krau. We’ve begun critical educational work in the state of Bihar in India. A brand new school stands in the slum village of Lakhanpur and a rented facility in Bodhgaya – both offer quality education, hygiene training and life skills to a total of 250 eager and bright students. And more success is happening with our learning centers, English immersion initiatives and scholarships in Guatemala, bringing hope and new possibility to young people in the most underserved Mayan village communities around Panajachel.
It all started with a vow that day in Cambodia. The vow was simply this, “I’m available!”
Look at what can happen from that.
Our Vision for the Future
Our vision is to improve the quality of life and help foster the aspirations of vulnerable children while strengthening literacy, health, and gender equality within emergent communities worldwide.
What we Believe in
The change we seek to make in the lives of our students is deeply rooted in and motivated by the needs we see in our communities and the beliefs we share.
Removing the barriers to education faced by these children and watching them progress is inspiring; however, this work cannot be done without first ensuring their health and the health of their families. Simply put, at Kaleidoscope we’ve all been inundated by the conviction,
Knowledge
We believe knowledge and education is an invaluable gateway to a world of infinite possibility. We believe it is a right for all and not a luxury for some. By offering education to a disadvantaged child, we support the potential of our students hopes and dreams becoming a tangible reality.
Connection
We believe in the dignity of all people and that each share the same desire to be seen, heard and valued. Our aim is to connect with our Kaleidoscope family of children, teachers, volunteers and donors in meaningful and lasting ways. Through deep listening and positive action, we strive to uplift and inspire everyone through compassionate partnership.
Freedom
We believe in working with people and not for them. We strive to stimulate interdependence and empowerment within every child and all members of their community. We prioritize initiatives that instill sustainable self-sufficiency and healthy environments that foster personal freedom, dignity, and well-being.
Our Core Values
While what we do as an organization is informed by our beliefs, how we do it can be defined using our core values. Core values are the deeply ingrained principles that guide our actions and serve as our cultural cornerstones.
Collaborative
We see humanity as one. What can elevate one will elevate all.
Passionate
We serve with eager and readied participation.
Open Minded
We lean into life with a beginner’s mind – to be forever teachable to infinite possibility.