Let There Be Light International (LTBLI) is proud to announce the publication of our 2019 Annual Report highlighting our first five years as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit implementing solar programming in sub-Saharan Africa. With a mission to combat climate change and energy poverty, LTBLI donates safe solar lights to vulnerable community members, solar-electrifies health clinics, and raises awareness about renewables. Solar lights really are changing lives!

Read our 2019 Annual Report here.

In 2014, LTBLI began in our Founder’s living room with a handful of volunteers, one African partner, and a budget of $15,000. Today, five years later, Let There Be Light International has grown to include a multidisciplinary Board of Directors, 8 core African partners, a volunteer Energy Poverty Consultant, and a budget of $158,000. Key solar programming successes include the donation and distribution of 14,500 safe solar lights in Uganda, Malawi, and Kenya. 35 off-grid health clinics have received basic solar-electrification systems and now provide improved healthcare access and delivery to thousands of last-mile communities. Together, we really are brightening lives! (Report excerpts, below).

Read our 2019 Annual Report here.

Still operating as an all-volunteer organization in the US, we employ 3 highly skilled Energy Poverty Consultants in Uganda. Moreover, 25 Field Officers have been trained in Uganda, Malawi, and Kenya to implement LTBLI’s solar programming. Through our Women SET (Solar Empowerment Training), LTBLI also has trained 20 Ugandan women to become solar entrepreneurs. Our innovative maternal and child project, Safe Births + Healthy Homes, is improving health and safety outcomes for new mothers during and after delivery. Stay tuned for the next blog post from our partner, Solar Health Uganda, that will describe in detail this amazing project.

Working with our local partners to reach the furthest first, we are committed to the United Nations imperative to leave no one behind. Pairing solar outreach and education with solar light donations, LTBLI seeds last-mile markets and builds local capacity. Through listening to our partners and other stakeholders, we learn, grow and creating lasting change and impact.

We remain incredibly grateful to our many supporters and look forward to the next 5 years of solar programming. Together, we can Let There Be Light International.

Shine On!