Solar Shines During the Pandemic

by | Jun 18, 2020 | LTBLI news and updates

Written by guest author Caroline Mwebeza of Solar Health Uganda and Let There Be Light International

The global COVD-19 pandemic illuminates the issue of energy poverty. Accelerating energy access is critically important to improve health outcomes. In last mile health facilities, for instance, electricity can be the difference between life and death.

Clinics in Africa

1/4 of all health facilities in sub-Saharan Africa lack electricity. In response,  Solar Health Uganda and Let There Be Light International (LTBLI) created Safe Births + Healthy Homes (SB+HH). SB+HH is a maternal and infant health intervention funded by Let There Be Light International (LTBLI). The project is implemented by Solar Health Uganda

Safe Births + Healthy Homes uses solar lights to incentivize pregnant women to give birth at solar-electrified clinics with the help of trained health professionals. In the past 16 months, 2,100 solar lights have been donated through to new mothers, and more than 10,000 people now have clean light. Even a single solar light improves indoor air quality and respiratory health, because polluting and dangerous kerosene lamps are no longer needed. In addition, the use of solar reduces weekly expenses while improving fire safety, bed-net usage, and hours of safe lighting for children.

Energy and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Safe Births + Healthy Homes is a project grounded in SDG7 but interlinked with SDG1, 3, 5, and 13. 

Energy Poverty is the state of living without access to energy. In rural Uganda, where 84% of the population lives, only 8% of the population has access to electricity. The primary sources of household lighting are traditional kerosene lights and candles, which impact respiratory health and lead to increased susceptibility to COVID-19. Tragically, women and children suffer the greatest impact of energy poverty. In fact, 85% of the annual deaths caused by household and ambient air pollution are women and children. (World Health Organization Statistical Report, 2017).  

Maternal and Infant Health requires Safe Lighting

Despite the pandemic, mothers need birthing services. The promise of a safe solar light is encouraging many women to deliver at the SB+HH clinics. When new mothers receive solar lights and go back home, they then report feeling safer and more empowered. New mothers cite ownership of the light and their ability to care for their infant as primary benefits. 

As a result of the clinic electrifications, rural healthcare staff are receiving critical health and safety instructions during the pandemic. The clinics are now acting as information centers to disseminate guidelines from the Health Ministry to the greater community. All across the globe, there is renewed interest in clinic electrification and indoor air quality, as governments and communities work to provide healthcare to at-risk populations.

Shine On!

0 Comments

A Short Recap of a Long and Bright Journey

Earlier this month, I traveled with LTBLI Founding Board Member (and exemplary husband), Ben, to Uganda for site visits over the course of 9 action-packed days. Unable to travel since March 2020, due to the global pandemic and then an Ebola outbreak in 2022, LTBLI had...

Shine On Rwanda!

Guest Blog by John Keith and Leah Weinkle   Ten years ago a friend of ours here in Denver started a primary school in Rwanda. Hope Haven Rwanda has recently completed the addition of a secondary school and is the top-performing primary school in Rwanda based on...

Sustainable Energy for All

  A guest blog by Caroline Mwebaza of Solar Health Uganda. Sustainable Energy for All A few months ago, I attended the Sustainable Energy for All Forum in Kigali, Rwanda. l traveled from Uganda as a Delegate on behalf of Let There Be Light International (LTBLI)...

My Summer Solar Internship

Hannah Schulman is this summer's Energy Poverty Intern at Let There Be Light International (LTBLI). She is a rising...

Brightening Lives in Amolatar, Uganda

Last month, Let There Be Light International (LTBLI) implemented one of its most comprehensive solar projects to-date. Working in cooperation with local stakeholders and another US-based nonprofit, LTBLI launched three (3) of its signature solar projects in the...

A Snapshot of our 2022 Solar Celebration

Click here to see the gallery as individual photos. Shine On! [gallery size="large"...

Reflecting on One Million Lives Impacted by Solar Lights

Eight years ago, Let There Be Light International (LTBLI) began solar programming in Uganda with its first official partner. 8 years later, LTBLI is marking a major milestone – One Million lives impacted by solar programming in 3 countries. You may wonder how we...

Solar Lights are Changing Lives in Salalira

Guest blog written by Olivia Owino, M&E and Training Consultant to LTBLI and Solar Health Uganda (based in Uganda).Let There Be Light International’s maternal and infant health project, Safe Births and Healthy Homes (SB+HH), has changed the lives of many mothers...

Lights4Literacy Shines During COVID-19

Guest blog written by Siriman Kiryowa, Solar Health Uganda Field Research Analyst.Lights4Literacy is an innovative solar project in Uganda. It is a collaborative educational program undertaken by Let There Be Light International (LTBLI), Kyosiga Community Christian...

Shine On: Campus Voices – Connor Flynn

Connor Flynn, an Environmental Studies student at The University of Washington, connected with Let There Be Light International while developing his e-commerce clothing brand, Transcendental Dreamer. In an interview with LTBLI Communications Consultant Rachel...