Welcoming the Little Sun Foundation – Because Solar Power Means Empowerment
Little Sun is growing! We are excited to be launching the Little Sun Foundation, which is an extension of our Little Sun social business.
But what is the difference between the two?
The mission of our Little Sun Foundation is to bring solar energy to the most vulnerable communities worldwide who are off the grid and beyond the reach of our entrepreneurial distribution models. These include remote schools, refugee camps, and people affected by natural disasters.
UNHCR revealed that a shocking number of people – 65.6 million – have been displaced from their homes in 2016 alone and live without reliable electricity. We want to share the light with these people, who would otherwise have no access to clean and safe energy at all.
As a foundation, we are able to accept donations, enabling us to distribute solar lamps and chargers to those who need them most, but cannot afford them because of their current living situation. So, if you already have a lot of Little Suns and are looking for other ways to support us, you can now donate or become a member of the Little Sun Foundation!
‘A solar panel gives you access to energy, to light, and that has an enormous impact on your world. It effects education and safety, effects your quality of life in so many ways. Together we can achieve climate justice and energy access for all, which is the UN’s seventh Sustainable Development Goal. As an artist, I believe in our collective power to co-produce reality, to turn thinking into doing and hope into action – to change the world.’
– Olafur Eliasson
The Little Sun social business will continue selling solar lamps across the world, with the profits of the sales in on-grid areas allowing us to sell them at a much lower price in off-grid areas, where we work with local entrepreneurs, who generate an income for themselves, whilst bringing light to their communities.
Solar Schools Rwanda – Little Sun Foundation from Little Sun Foundation e.V. on Vimeo.
The Solar Kids School Program is the Little Sun Foundation’s first official project. The Program’s mission is clear: give schools in rural Rwanda access to portable, durable solar lights and phone chargers. The Foundation already successfully raised funds for 3200 solar lamps and 100 solar chargers. Little Sun’s Eva and Xaver visited Rwanda last month and distributed the Little Suns to pupils from five schools in the Kamonyi District. Additionally, 100 teachers received solar phone chargers, allowing them to access online learning tools and stay connected.
Access to electricity is something many of us take for granted. But, in the Kamonyi District, 96.5% of the population does not have electricity at home. With the sun setting at 6pm throughout the year, children struggle to do homework in the evening and until now, had to rely on dirty and dangerous light sources such as kerosene lamps and candles.
A simple solar light has an incredible impact on these communities – but only if it gets there and for this we need your help.
You can also become a sponsoring member of the Little Sun Foundation. In this way, you can support our work long-term, through regular contributions. Of course, we will keep you up to date with all the latest activities and progress.
All donations are hugely appreciated and enable us to work towards giving more and more people access to affordable, reliable and sustainable energy.
Because Solar power means empowerment.
