|
The project funds will be used solely for the light itself. Included in the cost of the light is training of local leaders, teachers, and Rotarians to present the history and care of the light along with the financial literacy portion of the distribution.
RC of Goodyear PebbleCreek will join a travel team along with Watts of Love to distribute 60
UL certified solar lights to identified families in the Northern Rangeland Trust area of Kenya. This area includes Samburu, Isiolo, and Marsibit Counties. The families to receive lights are previously identified as extremely marginalized which includes elderly, handicapped, and the extremely poor. We are very intentional in seeking out the most vulnerable people within the villages. One of the villages visited will be Karare, which has 1000 families. In the past 2 distributions we have provided light for over half of their population. The visit in 2027 will give light to the remaining households which will then complete distribution there leaving every family with a light. These 60 lights will be a part of that distribution. In addition to the light the family will receive an education on the unique financial literacy program as well as use and care of the light itself. The training instructs and aids the families in learning how to use, to save, invest, & build their futures. The financial literacy part teaches each family the importance of compound savings while emphasizing the significance of redirectly funds previously used to buy kerosene or other dangerous light sources. The solar light eliminates costly light alternatives. We help empower people to identify their dreams, set goals (buy chickens, goats, cows,new roof, education for children...), and take ownership of where to direct their savings (equip-train-empower). The light becomes the accelerator for raising themselves out of poverty and achieving their big dream. This program trickles into our Student of the Month Program with the Agua Fria School District. We currently have 2 high schools participating and look to expand to two more for the next school year. For each student of the month recipient, has a light given to a fmail in their name (written on the box that the light comes in) which doubles as the families' piggy bank for saving their money.
|
