SolarAid has been selected to receive a £400,000 Global Impact Award from Google’s Global Impact Challenge.
The charity says the Award, which is decided by a panel of judges including Sir Tim Berners-Lee and Sir Richard Branson, will help it to get 144,000 solar lights to rural Tanzanian families and create jobs for over 400 solar entrepreneurs, taking SolarAid a giant step forward in its goal to eradicate the kerosene lamp from Africa by 2020.
A child using a SolarAid lamp to study
The Global Impact Award recognises ‘British non-profits using technology to tackle the world’s toughest problems’. SolarAid tackles the issues of poverty, health, education, unemployment and global warming by creating sustainable markets for solar lights throughout rural Africa. According to the World Bank, 598 million African people live without access to electricity. Small solar lights provide an alternative to the expensive, toxic kerosene lamps often used for lighting.
Steve Andrews, SolarAid CEO, said, “Giving people access to simple solar technology impacts poverty and changes lives forever. The Global Impact Award will not only help us get 144,000 solar lights into Tanzania but create a sustainable model for solar distribution, market and job creation we can replicate across the continent. The impact of the technology and the effect of the award will be astounding.”
Bestselling author Ian McEwan joined the call for votes, explaining, “Without light there is no literacy. SolarAid’s simple technology and brilliantly conceived networks are bringing rural African children out of the dark.”
Pippa Palmer, SolarAid MD, concluded, “We cannot believe the overwhelming support we have received over the past few days. I would like to thank everyone who voted for SolarAid and helped spread the word. Google has given us a fantastic opportunity to highlight the life-changing impact of the simple solar light. We’ll be using the incredible momentum to build even more awareness of SolarAid’s work to reach millions living without electricity.”
