WHO WE ARE

VISION

To empower individuals and communities in rural and underserved areas to realize their full potential and to grow in self-confidence and independence through grassroots-driven programs.

MISSION

To uplift communities in rural Mpumalanga, South Africa through sustainable, practical community programs. We work closely with community members, transferring skills and knowledge with tolerance, parity, and compassion.

Seeds of Light Background

Seeds of Light began in 2000 as the humanitarian arm of CoreLight, a U.S. non-profit spiritual organization. The heart of its South African founder, Leslie Temple-Thurston, broke wide open when she learned about the plight of over 1.5 million AIDS orphans in South Africa. She and the co-founders of Seeds of Light—Victoria More, Brad Laughlin, and Judy Miller—vowed to do something to make a difference. They committed not just to help the orphans but also to uplift the larger area of, Acornhoek, Mpumalanga, one of South Africa’s designated poverty nodes, where 1 in 3 people is HIV+, and where there is 70% unemployment, and very little water.

Because of the great need, our partnership with lion-hearted, local Champions, and the tremendous supportive response from people all around the world, Seeds of Light has grown significantly over the years. Our projects have raised the quality of life of thousands of children and adults. Seeds of Light is now established as a non-profit organization (NPO) in South Africa and continues to develop sustainable projects in Acornhoek and to provide direct support to both leaders and vulnerable families in critical ways. Seeds of Light remains CoreLight’s humanitarian arm, while also maintaining its status as a South African NPO.

Lynn Watson is Seeds of Light’s Executive Director. She started her career on Wall Street consulting with large banks and investment firms on the re-design and development of new systems. Over the next 25 years she worked with both for-profit and non-profit organizations to manage the implementation of new systems and to help them make critical cultural and structural changes to create the most impact and meet or exceed their organization goals.

Lynn’s non-profit work included work in Cambodia, Laos and Kenya as well as early work with Seeds of Light. She brings a great love for making a difference in the lives and hearts of young people that enables them to make a difference in their families, communities, countries and the world.

Lynn attended New York University for Computer Science studies and Westminster Business School.