LIGHT AND AIR

Mona's 25th anniversary documentary

In 1999, Mona supported the education of 4 students in 2 countries.  Since then, we have provided 4,263,012 students with access to quality education through 41 grassroots partners in 23 countries.   LIGHT AND AIR represents just one impact story in 4.2 million across 24 grassroots organizations in 41 countries that Mona has supported since 1999. 


Set in a rural village, the film brings to life the transformative power of education through the stories of a few students at Barli Development Institute for Rural Women (Indore, India) whose lives were transformed through education and who are now uplifting their families and communities and changing hearts and minds on girls’ education, gender equality, and service as a way of life. 

Learn more about our other partner organizations here.

Watch the LIGHT AND AIR trailer

Ways to get involved

Contact us to view the whole documentary

Mona Foundation is still in the process of premiering the documentary in different cities.  We plan to publish the documentary by the end of this year.  Please contact us at info@monafoundation.org and we will discuss sharing a private, password protected version of the film ahead of its scheduled release.  We are sure it will inspire you.   

Host a screening of the documentary

Contact us at info@monafoundation.org to make arrangements to screen this documentary at your home.  Our staff will support you through every step to make your screening an inspiring event for your friends, family and guests. 

Hear from Rainn Wilson and Marco Rios Bollinger

RAINN WILSON, Actor, Producer, Philanthropist, and Author


"I am a great supporter of the educational initiatives of the Mona Foundation. 


"LIGHT AND AIR is beautiful...all about the transformative power of education. Please do what you can to support Mona and check out this fantastic new project."

MARCO Rios BOLLINGER is the award-winning Director of LIGHT AND AIR.  He is Peruvian American filmmaker, photographer and social entrepreneur who has produced award-winning social issue documentaries on subjects such as the plight of refugee kids (SAFE ZONE), the healing power of dance (Dance Is My Gun).  He is currently producing a docuseries he created called Hidden Heroes, which showcased at Sundance 2024.

"The world is suddenly waking up to the fact that they need to change the philanthropic model. To what? To a Mona model."

Dr. Urvashi Sahni, Founder and CEO of Study Hall Education Foundation, Lucknow, India, Mona partner since 2008.


"Mona has helped us grow tremendously and exponentially. They are one of the few organizations that really works as a partner and not as a funder on top of you.... They literally lead from behind, helping you go forward with your plans, trusting that you know best....


Mona has changed the paradigm for funders. It was the pioneer, and I want to congratulate you for having impacted the philanthropic world and of course many organizations like us." 

Education is

"Light and Air"

To be without education and skills is being a bird without wings.  You can see the sky and the endless opportunities, but you are not able to reach them. It makes you feel helpless.


But education gives the power and the strength to transform our life and that of others. It makes us be confident and self-reliant.


It is like opening windows in a closed room and flooding it with light and fresh air.


Jhamku, 17-year-old Barli graduate


A special thank you to our sponsors.

Our Sponsors

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