Use Solar, Save Lives
Use Solar, Save Lives involves the design, production and distribution of solar-powered lanterns known as “MwangaBora”. The lanterns are distributed particularly to poor rural households without electricity. The initiative also helps communities to set up environmentally sound economic ventures with the money that would otherwise be spent on kerosene. Sustainable Development for All-Kenya (SDFA-Kenya) seeks out communities living below the poverty line with limited access to electricity and provides them with solar lanterns, working with women’s groups in the villages. It then helps people to use the funds that would otherwise be spent on kerosene to set up economic ventures. SDFA-Kenya in not directly involved in setting up the economic ventures, but provides guidance on how likely particular ventures are to succeed and how to best go about establishing and managing them.
Partners
Sustainable Development for All-Kenya (SDfAKenya) makes and distributes the solar lanterns and
helps communities to set up alternative income-generating activities.
Mumashi Women’s Group and Sitian Women’s Group coordinate field activities and identify target households.
The International Institute for Rural Reconstruction runs a programme in shepherding. SDfA-Kenya provides solar-powered lanterns to facilitate learning by trainee shepherds.
UN Habitat has provided a grant for a youth resource centre in Kisumu where solar-powered lanterns and other products are made.
