Notes from the Field

Earlier this year, we donated lights to the American Foundation for Children with AIDS. The organization has been working with children infected and affected by AIDS and their guardians since 2005, as well as with hospitals and clinics who care for these young ones. Read more about how donated lights illuminated lives in Kenya.

Last November, LuminAID partnered with the Himalayan Stove Project, a US Based humanitarian and philanthropic program, to help them distribute lights in Nepal after the earthquake. This is their story.

The latest installment in our Notes from the Field series comes from Kristen Ragazzo, an elementary school teacher who's lifelong dream has been to travel to Nepal. After last year's devastating earthquake, Kristen and her husband coordinated a trip to distribute LuminAID lights to communities that are still in need and shares the impact of the lights below: 

On March 11, 2011, the country of Japan experienced one of the strongest earthquakes ever recorded. By total coincidence, Anna and Andrea were on a school trip in Tokyo at the time. By the end of the trip, the were inspired to further develop what would become the LuminAID.

In January, we partnered with the organization, Finding Freedom Through Friendship, to distribute lights to Mayan women in Guatemala. Jody Greenlee, Executive Director, and LynnAnn Murphy, a volunteer, tell their story of how the lights changed lives in Guatemala.

When Anna and Andrea were attaching batteries and solar panels together to make the first solar inflatable lanterns in their kitchen, the two graduate students knew little about how far their lights would go. 5 years later, the little idea of the LuminAID light found its way to Malawi in southeast Africa, to help families whose houses has been destroyed by extreme flooding. Anna and Andrea had the opportunity to help out, and see the impact of LuminAID lights in person -- for the first time.

Thank you!  The response to our Give Light Nepal campaign was overwhelming, and we far exceeded our donation goal.  Thanks to your support, we were able to partner with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) to distribute 1000 solar lights to women and girls in need following the earthquakes in Nepal.  Through their 'Female Friendly Spaces' program, UNFPA Nepal has provided needed LuminAID lights to women and children left vulnerable after the earthquakes in Nepal earlier this year.

The latest installment in our Notes from the Field series comes from Renee St. Jacques, a Peace Corps volunteer in Cameroon. Renee recently coordinated the distribution of lights in her village, and shares how LuminAID lanterns have helped provide light for families who cannot afford electricity, and encouraged educational prospects for children in the village.

The Salaam Cultural Museum (SCM), a volunteer-based NGO from Seattle, is working to provide needed help and supplies to refugees who have crossed the perilous Mediterranean and finally arrive -- largely without supplies -- in Greece.  As the refugees continue their journey with limited access to necessities, lightweight and waterproof LuminAID solar lights mean that access to light at least is always in hand.