The 30 (thirty) solar D-light S300 solar lights pictured are helping the girls at the FAWE school study / do homework at night in Freetown, Sierra Leone. This is a welcome provision of a safe, reliable light source that they need to read at night - as power supply is irregular.
From the DA Team: Julia - your exemplary heart and service is very deeply appreciated. Thank you for helping to brighten the lives of the girls as they study. We appreciate you raising funds to purchase, ship the lights and also make a donation towards the upcoming computer lab. Our warm appreciation and gratitude to your family and friends who helped to make this possible.
As Told By Julia:
I was having trouble deciding on a mitzvah project for my Bat Mitzvah. I knew I wanted to help young girls less fortunate than me. I knew that equal access to education is the key for girls to have a bright future.
After doing some research I came across an organization called Develop Africa that helps a girls’ school in Sierre Leone. Many of the students at FAWE school don’t have electricity at home so they can’t read and do homework at night. This makes it challenging for them to do well in school.
Sylvester at Develop Africa told me about these awesome solar lights that can light up a room without the use of electricity. So I decided to raise money to purchase as many of them as I could and send them to the girls at the school. I didn’t want to hold a bake sale or a have car wash. Instead I chose to run two 5K races and ask people to sponsor me.
I’m a soccer player, not a distance runner. But I thought I was up to the challenge. My dad practiced with me every weekend. Our first time out I barely made it home. Every muscle ached and I thought my lungs would explode. It took several weeks before I could complete the distance without walking part of the time, and without too much pain. Keeping the FAWE girls in mind kept me going.
Meanwhile my fund raising effort was really taking off. My friends and family came through in a very generous way. I nearly doubled my goal!
Finally I was ready for my first race day. I ran the whole distance without stopping. And the second race went just as well! Right after the last race I purchased 30 solar lights and made a donation to a computer lab that Develop Africa was building in Sierra Leone. I brought the lights to a shipping company that specializes in delivering donated goods directly to where it’s needed.
I was so happy when Sylvester sent me pictures of the girls holding the lights and a big “thank you” note. I really hope I was able to “brighten” their lives and make a difference.
