Notes from the Field

Even among the highest peaks, a LuminAID ambassador finds a way to share light. This story comes from mountain-climber Sunny, who recently embarked on an all-female climb in the Himalaya. On the way, her team was able to distribute safe solar lights to families in high remote mountain villages, with fire stoves as their only light source. Read more about the monk, the elderly farmers, young widow, and others who received safe light at home in the mountain pass.

This season, we've been so honored to see the way people and communities have banded together to help families in need in Puerto Rico, Dominica, the US Virgin Islands, Barbuda, and beyond. On our recent feature on Shark Tank, we shared how much we've accomplished together, thanks to grass-roots support and our incredible partner organizations. We want to highlight their crucial work, and support them with so much left to do. Find out more ways to get support relief and recovery this holiday season.

LuminAID is back to light up Shark Tank, just in time for the holidays! The new episode features LuminAID's partnership with Convoy of Hope to bring safe solar light and charging to families left without power in Puerto Rico, after a devastating hurricane season.

Much of Puerto Rico is still without power one month after Hurricane Maria, and families are still struggling to recover without electricity. LuminAID co-founders Anna and Andrea decided to fly to Puerto Rico with hundreds of solar phone charger and solar lights in tow. They distributed aid with humanitarian partner Convoy of Hope, and saw the impact of that access to solar is having for families in Puerto Rico. 

Electricity is scarce in Cambodia, where over 40% of the population is estimated to go without. The government struggles to connect communities, as around 85% of the population lives in rural areas. But the country boasts an abundant resource, and a potential solution: the sun. Twende Solar introduces a two-fold project to bring solar light and energy to schools and homes. 

Access to safe light can have a diverse and wide-ranging impact on families recovering from natural disasters, conflicts, or living in energy impoverished areas. Explore the ways that safe light can help families survive and thrive in communities worldwide.

Women’s Global Education Project (WGEP) is a Chicago-based NGO focused on advancing education and literacy in rural Africa. In Senegal where we work, two-thirds of women aged 15 and up cannot read or write and only 27% of girls go to secondary school (UNESCO). Moreover, in the Fatik region of Senegal, 90% of schools lack libraries or reading rooms (ACR). WGEP is working to change this. 

Our partners on the ground have been working tirelessly to respond to the flooding in Peru and Colombia. Our partner Convoy of Hope recently provided more than 45 families in Peru with solar lights as part of response efforts following devastating flooding in the region. 

Peace Corps volunteer Madeline distributes LuminAID solar lanterns to a community in Madagascar without access to electricity. A school now has light even on rainy days, local restaurants can illuminate the evening meal, and families prepare food easier and safer.