Solar, Solar On The Wall, Who’s The Brightest Of Them All?
“Now I can study in the evening I will do better in my exams, now I will be top of the class!”
*Namazzi is one of the recipients of the solar lamps bought through our ‘alternative gifts’ programme last Christmas. Her family told our team the solar lamp was good quality, bright and the charge lasted a long time. They have five children who will all benefit.
In Soroti district, 158 solar lamps were given to children in P7 classes at partner schools, and to families in the Disability Support Groups. A total of 411 solar lamps were purchased by our supporters at Christmas 2021 and they have all been distributed across Uganda.
Nine-year-old *Daphne lives in Rukungiri with her mum and two brothers. Her father abandoned the family, leaving them destitute. However, as a child on Global Care’s sponsorship programme, Global Care has been able to help the family to get back on their feet; rebuilding their tumbledown home and reconstructing their pit latrine, which had completely collapsed.
The family have few possessions aside from the mattresses, water butt and cookware donated by Global Care. Now they have a solar lamp too, which is really exciting for Daphne and her siblings, as they have no other source of light in the home.
Lamps were also given to sponsored children in Kampala, including seven year old Naomi. Naomi lives with her mum and grandmother in a windowless wooden hut, patched up with road signs. Naomi was thrilled to receive a solar lamp, as the family have no source of indoor light. “Now, I can read after dark,” she told our team.
Greener, safer, cleaner
The solar lamps reduce reliance on kerosene lighting which is expensive, unsafe, unhealthy and very environmentally damaging. When burning, kerosene emits large amounts of black carbon, which is 700 times more damaging than carbon dioxide. A single kerosene lamp emits more black carbon per litre than a diesel car. Kerosene is also a health and fire hazard.
“We are so grateful to everyone who caught the vision for this initiative,” says Head of Operations, Steve Wicking. Steve met all these children during a visit to Uganda in March 2022. “For such a small investment, the lamps are making a significant impact. Thank you so much for your generosity.”
Solar lamps cost £16 each, and make an excellent ‘alternative gift’ for your loved one. Choose from two cards for the UK donor, suitable for Christmas gifts, or any special occasion or birthday.
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