Solar Health Spreads Hope and Smiles

by Sarah Baird | Dec 6, 2018 | LTBLI news and updates

Last month Let There Be Light International (LTBLI) traveled to Uganda where we met with solar beneficiaries and inspected solar health facilities.

Site Visit Highlights

LTBLI loves heading into the districts to meet with our local solar health partners. In fact, although the journey can be long, we always return invigorated and more committed than ever to our cause. Uganda is an incredibly beautiful country filled with passionate and welcoming people. As an example, we were greeted with boisterous singing and dancing on more than one occasion!

Visiting Eastern Uganda where we met with new partners, the Sisters of Mary in Salalira

Let There Be Light International in Wakiso with KACCAD and Solar Health Uganda

Visiting the offices of CESA-Uganda in Kampala before heading into the field in central Uganda

Pictured above are a few of our primary partners in Uganda including KACCAD and Combined Efforts to Save Uganda (CESA-Uganda).

Solar Health

While in Uganda, we visited 10 rural health clinics. We couldn’t be more proud of our solar projects! For instance, we met with nurses, midwives, doctors and administrators who told us about how access to reliable, safe energy impacts healthcare access and delivery in their communities. In addition to the 8 solar systems installed in 2018, LTBLI’s outreach and educational posters – “Solar Lights Change Lives” – now are displayed at community centers, schools and clinics. Because many adults are not literate, the posters use images to describe and amplify LTBLI’s solar programs.

Board Member, Bridget, and Solar Health Educator, Caroline, conduct site visits in Wakiso District

LTBLI Outreach Educator, GeorgeMike, and Executive Director, Sarah, put up Solar Health posters at local clinics

Director of Health Services in Kyankwanzi District and members of LTBLI and KACCAD

Solar Health Impacts

Rural clinics offer primary and emergency services to hundreds of thousands of people in Uganda. Because the electrical grid does not reach these areas, however, clinics operate for limited hours. They also rely on unsafe and nonrenewable lighting inputs like kerosene and phone flashlights. With solar-electrification, therefore, clinics can remain open longer. More patients can be seen and better health outcomes are predicted.

Gloria safely reading beneath her bed net

LTBLI speaking with a solar beneficiary, a single mother battling advanced cancer

A family in Uganda with their solar light they use daily with their 10 children

Florence in the doorway of her home with her solar light

Madilla lives in a remote area with her 10 children who all use their solar light

Solar helps Teopista extend the hours at her vegetable stand and take care of her children

Solar Beneficiaries

We spent our favorite days visiting solar light beneficiaries. We were greeted with smiles and hugs and saw mothers using their solar lights to care for their babies. Students proudly read to us while using their safe lights. Elders told us that they treasure their connection to the “modern world.”

Together we celebrated the power of love and compassion to overcome obstacles and geography! To donate light, click here.

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