By Michael H. Varhola | President, Solar Empowerment Initiative
Since our last report, we were able to send over 1000 solar systems and lanterns to Myanmar. These include 1008 of our small, efficient, and long-lasting SF-1S lantern, and ten of a larger model with three very bright lights and two USB ports for charging cell phones. This model, the SF-906 is very suitable for classrooms and small rural health clinics. The lights were distributed by our partner in Myanmar, World Vision Myanmar. This maximizes our efficiency by eliminating the expenses involved with international travel. Moreover, WVM was able to obtain permission from the government to bring these lights in tax free.
Also, our partner in Senegal, CorpsAfrica, was able, in spite of the corona virus, to distribute two cases (96 lanterns) in the village of Wallang Kingui in the remote Kédougou Region. The distribution priority was
• Students in exam classes
• Pregnant women
• Nursing mothers
These beneficiaries would otherwise have to endure the darkness or rely on expensive candles or kerosene, both of which are fire hazards. Additionally, kerosene lanterns emit noxious fumes, which can be injurious to a baby's health.
Thanks to the generosity of our donors, we were able to pay for an additional shipment of solar lights to Myanmar. These are being held by the manufacturer pending a determination by the Myanmar government that these lanterns can again be brought tax free into the country.
Links:
Project reports on GlobalGiving are posted directly to globalgiving.org by Project Leaders as they are completed, generally every 3-4 months. To protect the integrity of these documents, GlobalGiving does not alter them; therefore you may find some language or formatting issues.
If you donate to this project or have donated to this project, you can receive an email when this project posts a report. You can also subscribe for reports without donating.
