A friend of mine started a not-for-profit a few years back and it has grown quite a bit. Her mission is to bring solar lighting to the darkest corners of the world. The first place she has targeted is the remote island of the Philippines.
1.6 billion men, women and children live in darkness after the sun goes down. Kerosene is a costly way to provide light; however, not only does it damage the environment, but it damages the upper respiratory systems and causes thousands of serious burns a year (in places where there is little to no access to medical help). Light is the fastest way to improve the situation of the poor. It allows mothers the chance to work longer to make goods to sell at market to support their children (one organization cited a 30% increase in income). Children with access to light can study longer and overall attain 2 more years of formal schooling than their counterparts without light. $40 brings a solar light that lasts two years to these families.
What I was most excited about it is for $24 a solar headlamp can be purchased. The mission trip is in February (which I had hoped to go on, but cost $2,500 and that is 60% of fee for our home study) and some tribal groups in the mountain region of the Occidental Mindoro have been identified. The mission is going there to equip the midwives with headlamps to assist in delivering babies. How neat is that? As a mother who loves the idea of motherhood, I've asked my family (immediate and extended) to consider making a donation in the amount of $24 for the purchase of headlamps (In lieu of my November birthday gift). And my daughters (November and December birthdays) have joined me.
So, how many headlamps do you think we'll be able to have donated in our names? We are hoping for 20! How exciting is that? 
Bringing light into the darkness
October 21st, 2014 at 12:36 pm
October 21st, 2014 at 12:38 pm 1413895129
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www.wattoflove.com
Such a worthwhile mission. Especially when you think about how much we take forgranted in this country. Thank you!
October 21st, 2014 at 12:45 pm 1413895508
October 21st, 2014 at 12:48 pm 1413895731
I think you can there through .com and .org. I can say that Nancy is the most amazing person that I have met (aside from my friend whose fighting cancer a fifth time). She is amazingly humble and I just interviewed her for an article and I was interested in her story and she wanted to focus on stories of the people that they've met. Thank you so much!
October 21st, 2014 at 12:54 pm 1413896041
October 21st, 2014 at 07:02 pm 1413918153
I will look at Novembers budget to see if it works and make a purchase for you and your girls. Wonderful idea!
October 21st, 2014 at 07:10 pm 1413918615
@ Kiki. That is so sweet of you.