Notes from the Field

In November of 2018, Alex Ray joined Honduras Hope for an unforgettable trip to the Yoro region of Honduras. Honduras Hope is a small nonprofit based in New Hampshire that works in several impoverished communities in rural Honduras.

A partnership between the Gosford North Rotary Club and Thrive Madagascar brings safe, energy efficient light to the country's under-electrified regions. Through training women in healthcare skills, this program empowers women to be leaders in their communities and increases levels of access to neonatal and maternity care in historically under-served regions of Madagascar. LuminAID solar lights enable newly trained health workers to expand access to regions that previously relied entirely on daylight to illuminate their homes. 

Second only to agriculture, craft-making is the second most common employment in rural areas worldwide. Many craft-makers must work in the light of kerosene lanterns, or restrict their work to daylight hours. Solar lanterns provide the safe and sufficient lighting that is integral for craft-makers and self-employed artisans.

Without access to electricity or other clean lighting options, health providers in these areas struggle to provide life-saving care after dark. Particularly in rural areas, LuminAID solar lighting can relieve the financial burden associated with fuel-based light sources, and allow these health clinics to focus precious funds on serving patients. 

Fumes, burns, and fuel ingestion are the dangers faced by families who have to rely on kerosene lanterns or other fuel-based light sources. Millions around the world are affected by these risks. Safe solar lights offers a clean solution that can reduce health risks faced by families in communities without ready access to electricity.

ShelterBox brought LuminAID solar lights to Dominica and other Caribbean Islands where power was knocked out by Hurricane Maria and Hurricane Irma. Safe light and shelter are helping these communities recover from the devastating storms.

The Costa Rican Humanitarian Foundation aims to alleviate socioeconomic problems facing the indigenous people on the Cabecar Indigenous Reserve in Costa Rica through economical and creative means. LuminAID was able to give 20 lights to the foundation for distribution at the reserve to alleviate problems associated with not having a source of light throughout the night.

After a devastating hurricane season, LuminAID partnered with local Chicago organizations to get more safe light to those in need. Through the Chicago4PR campaign, Chicagoans came together to raise solar lanterns for families without power in Puerto Rico. Thanks to the generosity of LuminAID supporters and Chicago organizations, more than 10,000 solar lanterns were pledged for disaster relief in Puerto Rico.

As one of the outer islands of the Caribbean, the island of Dominica was right within the path of destruction of Hurricane Maria this year. 95% of buildings on the island were damaged or destroyed, leaving electricity scarce and families struggling to rebuild. Randy Hannan, Managing Director of the Trafalgar Relief and Reconstruction Fund, shares how safe and reliable light makes a difference in a community struggling to rebuild: