Provide solar lanterns to poor school children

We have continued to operate in spite of Covid 19, but it has been a challenge, and not the only one. We managed to ship 1000 lanterns to our partner in Myanmar, World Vision, to be distributed to school children there. As with all our partnerships, WVM will pay all expenses at the port and handle the distribution. We are still waiting on feedback, which, given the political situation there is to be expected.

Our first shipment to Puerto Rico arrive a coup weeks ago and is still processing through customs. Our partner there, the Salvation Army, is working with customs now. It will pay all duties and port fees and will distribute the lanterns. Puerto Rico, although a US territory, has many of the characteristics of a Third World country. There is a lot of poverty in the country, which is only excaserbated by earthquakes, hurricanes, and power outages in general. Our lanterns will at least provide light to make the hours of darkness more productive, both for school children and families in general. We couldn't be happier with this new partnership.

The price of our lanterns has gone up. They are now $3.35 apiece. With shipping the cost per lantern will be a bit over $3.50. Still not a bad price for a tough little solar lantern. Because our partners pick up most of the overhead, that means tha $10.00 will actually place three solar lanterns into the hands of school children or their families.

Please continue your generous support. Many futures depend on it.

Links:

• The Solar Empowerment Initiative Inc
• Solar lantern distribution in Sri Lanka

Lantern distribution in Tambacouroto

             As part of its support to communities, Solar Empowerment Initiative has, once again through the Londoo Looloo association, distributed solar lanterns to a population who does not have access to electricity despite being in the 21st century. .

            This time, the choice fell on a small village called Tambacouroto. It is located in the town of Diendé about ten kilometers from the regional capital Sédhiou.

            This village does not have any basic infrastructure, that is to say they are without drinking water, health clinics and schools. Children travel more than a kilometer to reach school. These lanterns are an opportunity for them to improve their learning.

            The village is populated by a hundred inhabitants made up of farmers. These people welcomed this gift with great joy, which will benefit them. The candle and the hurricane lamp will be bad memories.

            The village chief, the women leaders and the youth leaders took the floor to thank their generous donor namely Solar Empowerment Initiative and Londoo Looloo who are always alongside the communities for their well-being.

            This donation resonated in the area, as whole villages expressed the wish to benefit from solar lanterns.

            We would once again like to thank the board of directors of the Solar Empowerment Initiative, which continues to support us for the harmonious development of our people.

          We attach to this report the photos of the distribution of the lanterns.