By Emily Engel | Marketing and Communications Intern
2012 has been named the United Nations’ “International Year of Sustainable Energy for All.” In the UN’s own words, “Energy is opportunity. It transforms lives. Economies. The planet.”
Many of Opportunity's clients live in the sunniest parts of the world, but experience some of the darkest nights because of a lack of electricity. In fact, over one billion people around the world lack basic electricity and rely only on kerosene light after the sun goes down. This energy poverty–a lack of access to electricity, fuel and more efficient cooking technologies–creates many safety and practical issues around the world.
In South Africa, microfinance is helping create more sustainable energy initiatives. CEO of Opportunity South Africa said that they have recently entered into a partnership with a supplier of solar-powered heating systems. Low-income clients of Opportunity in South Africa are able to finance these heating systems very inexpensively, significantly improving their quality of life by providing an easier way to acquire sanitary water for cooking, drinking, and washing.
Your gift to Opportunity South Africa will provide life-changing opportunities such as these to the entrepreneurs across the country who are continually working to lift themselves out of poverty.
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