Change the life of an African child
Yesterday, I came across this amazing story of an ex-Marine who has developed a solar flashlight. OK, so what is so special about that, you may say? Well, for starters, he offers them for sale as BOGO – that is, buy one, give one. For every solar flashlight you buy, he’ll donate one to needy families in Africa. The vast majority of people on that continent are off-grid. That is, they have no regular electric power. To make matters worse, some residents rely on dangerous gas generators, for which the fuel is often siphoned. As a result, explosions often occur, with devastating consequences.
In a land that is often bathed in sunlight, why not provide citizens with basic solar flashlights that can be charged during the day and provide hours of light when the sun goes down?
Just watch this video and you may also be inspired to support the solar flashlight industry:
SunNight Solar Flashlight
The indestructible solar flashlights can last for 20 years, and are waterproof and glow-in-the-dark. Equally noteworthy is the fact that the AA batteries only need to be replaced once every 3 years.
From 2006-07, many of these lights were donated to the poorest villages in Africa by benefactors like Exxon Mobil who donated more than 10,000 flashlights to UN refugee camps and African charities. In addition, another 10,000 solar flashlights were provided through a sales program, and at least that many will be distributed by SunNight Solar.
Solar flashlights are a great investment for campers, emergency lights for your vehicle, or even to provide back-up lighting in the event of a power outtage. The cost is a minimal $39-49. Why not buy one now and donate an additional flashlight to needy people in Africa?
I’ve done it. Will you match my contribution?
January 3rd, 2009 at 2:42 pm
You don’t have to live in Africa to find solar flashlights useful. I have one right here in the USA. It’s great and green. Good for you for letting people know about this.
January 3rd, 2009 at 2:50 pm
Hi Pinkpackrat,
Yes! Anyone should consider owning a solar flashlight. As a cub scout leader, I am looking forward to taking ours on the next camp out. Hopefully, more people will be inspired to get one of these green products.
Cheers, Steph
January 4th, 2009 at 4:07 pm
This is superb you are mentioning and promoting this – Mark is doing a special job with his lights – literally bringing light to the world. He is a gift to the inventor community – creating something that looks after so many people — his Buy One Give One or BOGO as he calls it light is another example of using the power of transaction-based giving to create more magic. Buy One Give One is now turning into a movement thanks to businesses like BOGO lights, TOMS shoes and One Laptop Per Child … there are lots of less well known business doing Buy One Give One now with the help of Buy1GIVE1 a social enterprise in Singapore that works globally with any business anywhere in the world.
Their service is live a CSR plugin for a business so in a few minutes a business can be transformed into a Buy One Give One business – and then more people can receive amazing gifts every time someone buys or sells something – super cool. The site is at http://www.buy1-give1free.com – Buy1GIVE1
David Anttony
January 4th, 2009 at 4:13 pm
Hi David, thank you for the BOGO link! I would love to see more businesses being as charitable as Mark. It doesn’t take much to make a big difference in another person’s life.
Best, Stephanie
January 14th, 2009 at 10:21 pm
Thanks everyone. We are working hard on getting some lights into Gaza and will have a webpage up shortly. It really is very nice and motivational (and humbling) to read all of your comments. I was in Africa in July and watching the people’s faces when lights get passed out – I was in the DRC at a refugee camp – is really a reward. I was with one of the NBA stars – Dikembe Mutombo – who speaks five languages, and he was standing in the back of a pick-up, telling them how the light operated, in one of the local languages. The absolute awe and joy on their faces was something I will never forget – started off surprised and puzzled and as Dikembe spoke more, wonderment and then real happiness. Good stuff and thanks again for supporting this endeavor.
Best – Mark