Provide solar lanterns to poor school children

SEI strives to get the maximum impact for every dollar donated. Key to this is leveraging travelers to remote regions in Africa and other parts of the world. Many of these are regular travelers representing many different charitable organizations. We have about a dozen such partnerships now. We also provide solar lanterns to any individual who is traveling to areas where villages are not connected to the power grid or where there is only intermittent power. Typically this means the traveler will carry an extra suitcase specifically for solar lanterns, rechargeable light bulbs, and small solar panels. Thanks to our GlobalGiving donors we are able to maintain a supply of lanterns on hand so we can capitalize on opportunities as they arise. The Budhist monk in the picture below is a case in point. His temple is in Washington, DC, but he travels to Sri Lanka every year. In the picture you can see the suitcase that we filled with solar lanterns for him to take with him. Young students are the recipients.

This year saw a new addition to our family of lighting, rechargeable ight bulbs. Many cities and towns in poorer countries have only intermittent electricty. Often that means there is no electricity during the hours of darkness. While the need could be filled with solar lights, we have found it more efficient to use rechargeable light bulbs. When there is power the bulb will fill the function of a regular light bulb. When the power goes out, the batteries in the bulb will enable the bulb to continue to provide light. The only requirement is that the circuit be connected. In the pictures below you can see two ways to connect the circuit. One is to connect the prongs on the plug with copper wire. The other is to simply emerse the bulb in a 1/2 inch of water. There is a third and maybe superior way. Some suppliers provide an attachment which can screw onto the bulb. This allows it to light up and to be able to hang from the ceiling.

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