The need for solar lights - enabling night reading

A good percentage of the population of school-age children in Sierra Leone do not have access to a reliable power supply or the absence of it altogether, undermining their ability to study in the evening and negatively affecting their school performance. Most rely on dangerous kerosene-based lighting to read / study/ complete homework at night.  
 

Our solution

To help address this issue, Develop Africa sourced long-lasting solar lights to distribute to eligible students (pictured below). Solar D lamps are also one of the most cost-effective and durable lights. 

Edward is an excellent example of not only how a solar light can be transformative but also how we choose students who will receive them.  Edward attends the United Mission Community Primary School and is preparing for the National Primary School Examination.  He lives with his grandparents, who could not even afford to buy him a kerosene lantern. Despite these hardships, he has worked hard at school and at the top of his class since second grade.  As a result of his strong work ethic and resulting achievements, we selected Edward to receive a solar light.  He continues to excel in school.  

The light we sent - see photo - is much better than the local alternative - a kerosene lamp.  Kerosene lamps only provide a little light, so you must sit close to them.  Children study under the toxic fumes which cause headaches.  Besides this, poor lighting is a strain on the eyes, and long term is detrimental to vision. Furthermore, fires resulting from accidents with these lanterns (fuel spillage, lamps leaking, falling, etc.) have caused destruction and loss of life and property.  The hazards of kerosene lanterns are further discussed in the articles linked in this report.
 
Thanks to YOU, the hazards of studying with kerosene lanterns are no longer a concern for Edward.  You have provided health, safety, and educational progress through your gift.  This is priceless!

The provision of solar lights to communities is bringing about a transformative change, especially for children and youths who have long endured the challenges posed by inadequate access to electricity. Thanks to your dedication and commitment, these individuals now have a reliable and sustainable source of light, which enhances their educational opportunities, ensures their safety, and improves their overall quality of life.

Solar lights represent a beacon of hope, symbolizing the unwavering belief in the potential of every child and youth. By investing in their education and well-being, we empower them to transcend the limitations imposed by their circumstances and pursue their dreams with renewed vigor.

Solar lights help to improve to promote equity in education and reduce the disparities between kids from low-income families and their more affluent peers.
 

How You Can Help 

1. Purchase a light from our Amazon wish list.  Our shipping address will automatically be provided by Amazon in the list of available addresses when you are checking out.  
    
2. Make a donation.  Just click on the donate link or button and choose how many you want to fund. 
    
3. Make a more significant impact by raising funds or donating towards a large distribution of lights (for example, 50 or 100 lights). Below are some great examples of how this might work for you.  We’d be delighted to hear from you if you want to discuss these efforts.
    
   1. Cassidy's online fundraising efforts - solar lights
       
   2. Julia's sponsored 5K run for solar lights.

Thanks so much for spreading health, safety, and educational progress!

 
Read more about why it is essential to provide these lights and avoid the hazards of Kerosene lanterns.

• Kerosene wick lamps produce both light and hazardous soot
• Kerosene is a volatile, dangerous chemical that provides poor light, yet it continues to be widely used as a source of illumination in countries that have incomplete or unreliable electricity grids. 
• Kerosene lamps are widely used for lighting in rural areas of Asia and Africa, where electrical distribution is either unavailable or too costly for widespread use.  Yet using kerosene for lighting is extremely inefficient, dangerous, and expensive, with extensive health and environmental drawbacks.
• Burning kerosene produces smoke and polluting gases such as carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide. This smoke damages human health, especially when kerosene is burned indoors, which traps the pollution inside. Worldwide air pollution kills more people every year than HIV and Malaria combined. Burning fuels like kerosene cause 600,000 deaths a year in Africa alone.