About
Kitechild works to elevate the standard of care for orphaned children through sustainable micro-projects. The Kitechild network, with more than 35 orphanage members in 11 countries, is grounded in long term solutions, transparency, and efficiency, so we are able to achieve visible and measurable results in the well-being of the child. We partner with our member orphanages to develop custom projects designed to promote food security, income generation, energy conservation, and self-sufficiency. Kitechild’s micro-projects directly address our orphanages’ biggest challenges and make a permanent and positive change in the quality of orphan care.
About KiteChild
KiteChild, a 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization, was launched December of 2010 by two UCLA college graduates. The founders envisioned using the power of the internet in the age of social media to provide a unified solution to many of the challenges orphanages face while providing resources and opportunities to orphans in the developing world. The network has since grown, with over 35 orphanage members located in some of the world’s most underdeveloped countries. Kitechild currently concentrates on various programs, all which are structured to target different challenges faced by our orphanage members. Click here to learn more about each program.
The Kitechild board and staff is comprised of the following individuals
Pollyanna Salas-Uruena / President & Founder
Pollyanna, a UCLA graduate, studied Political Science and International Development Studies. Since graduating from UCLA, Pollyanna has used the knowledge she gained both in the field and through International Development Studies courseload, to found Kitechild.
Jacqueline Herrera / Director of Operations and Co-Founder
Jacqueline is Co-Founder and serves as the Director of Operations for Kitechild. She graduated from UCLA with a bachelor’s degree in Anthropology. During her time at UCLA, she served as fundraising chair and Director for FORGE, a non-profit working to promote sustainability in refugee camps in Africa. Currently, Ms. Herrera is pursuing her passion of working in philanthropy with Kitechild. Her previous experience working for non-profit organizations, as well as her extensive studies of cultures around the world have allowed Ms. Herrera to effectively represent Kitechild.
Robert X Perry / Treasurer
Rob is the founder of Xomad, an innovative concept that uses social media and events to link young elite taste makers to consumer brands. Rob also served as President of Champion Footwear where he oversaw a $25M P&L and achieved profitability in five out of six years. Prior to Champion, Rob served as a sports agent with ProServ and Falk & Associates (currently SFX Sports), where he spent half his time representing Michael Jordan. Rob began his professional career as a corporate attorney at Latham & Watkins in Los Angeles he earned his law degree at the University of Chicago where he served on the law review.
David B. Woodside / Advisor
D.B is a graduate of the University at Albany and the Yale School of Drama. Best Known for his acting roles in prime time network Television series like Monk, Hellcats, 24, and Grey’s Anatomy. As a recent father to a little girl, D.B takes is invested in his role as a board member of Kitechild.
Firas Bushnaq / Board Advisor
Serial Entrepreneur, founded many companies in the Software, Network Security, Internet and Media space. Served as Chief Executive Officer of WinWare Incorporated, eCompany and eEye Digital Security. Currently Chairman and Chief Executive of Boxador Incorporated, a startup incubator in the internet technology space.
Margot Bushnaq / Board Advisor
Serial Entrepreneur, dabbling in all things entrepreneurial, and helping others do the same. Founder @Boxador & @BrandBucket, mother, tech geek, design junkie, linguist and foodie.
Leslie McKnight / Intern
Leslie Powers graduated from Arizona State University with a Bachelor of Arts in Communication. She has studied, volunteered, and traveled abroad extensively. Leslie recently moved to the Los Angeles area and hopes to work abroad furthering her career in the international non-profit sector.
Elizabeth Thorne / Intern
Elizabeth graduated from the University of Southern California with degrees in Spanish and Public Policy, and is preparing to study international law in the near future. Elizabeth has traveled with various nonprofits to orphanages around the world, and gravitated towards Kitechild because of the innovative approach to improvements in orphan care.
Orphanages, if you would like to join us, click here to apply today!
From Our Blog
We visited a home in southern India and handed the camera over to the kids - and the took some amazing shots, including this one! You wouldn’t know it by meeting these funny, silly children, but they are all HIV positive. The Arias home is providing exceptional care so they may lead happy lives. #amazing #inspire #joy #happy #love #charity #kids #children #india #nofilter #art #hope #care #orphan
Meet Muskaar and Rajat, brother and sister living at AIW orphanage in Faridabad, India. This small home contains only 13 children, and everyone feels like they are part of a big family! #love #family #charity #happy #orphan #children #hope #positive #inspire #beauty #eyes #green #giveback #india
Yep, the kids at Ziah Mission Orphanage are excited its Friday too! Look at those smiles - contagious! #tgif #smile #happy #beauty #love #charity #children #india #amazing #inspire #hope #sweet
Wouldn’t you agree this smile is very contagious? Don’t be fooled though, this little guy from Ashirvad home in Tuni, India, is nothing but a little ball of mischief! #nofilter #smile #funny #cute #adorable #sweet #children #charity #happy #joy #love
The Kitechild team will be landing in India in 1 week! We want you to join us on this trip, so please stay tuned for amazing updates and a fun contest we’ll announce on Monday, April 15th- all while learning about our partner orphanages and the children in this beautiful country. Search ‘Kitechild’ on Tumblr, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter to stay connected! #india #travel #adventure #inspire #love #kids #children #orphan #giveback #connect #learn #contest #fun #cute
#TBT! Check out this video from our first little fundraiser we did back in 2010! We all have to start somewhere, and this is a great example of the ways YOU can be a Kitechild ambassador - hosting small get togethers in the community, donating a birthday, etc. are all great ideas! To get started, email ambassador@kitechild.org; we’d love to collaborate on some great ways to get involved and give back!
We’re excited to introduce our newest project, an Aquaponics farm in Honduras! A $4000 investment will build a Tilapia farm that will feed 27 children at Hogar de Amor fresh veggies and protein, while saving the home over $12,000 a year in food costs! Invest now www.kitechild.org/donate #invest #food #children #healthy #honduras #sustainable #farm #love #nutrition #charity #giveback #inspire #support #cool #innovative
Our water project is already at 15% funded! A big thank you to our donors. Check out this picture of the actual Lifestraw filter being used by one of our partner homes. Just $27 buys one filter for 5 kids, lasting three years- and putting big smiles on their faces. www.kitechild.org/donate #water #healthy #smile #happy #children #charity #love #empower #kenya #africa #health #pure
Imagine spending hours a day boiling water so that you may safely drink it. Clean water is an essential right every child should have. World water day is this Friday- make a commitment by providing filters to our children in our partner homes in Kenya. www.kitechild.org/donate #water #worldwaterday #children #clean #pure #charity #empower #inspire #change #positive #kenya #africa
Our latest project is up! We’re excited to announce our clean water project for four orphanages in Kenya. They currently struggle to provide clean water to the children on a daily basis, but just $27 buys a filter that will last 3 years and provide clean, healthy water for up to 5 children. Please visit our site to learn more- and donate. http://bit.ly/16pP0z5 #water #charity #donate #invest #health #children #clean #empower #sustainable #kenya #africa
