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!
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- Let There Be Light International in Wakiso with KACCAD and Solar Health Uganda
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- Visiting Eastern Uganda where we met with new partners, the Sisters of Mary in Salalira
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- 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.
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- A nurse uses a HELIO solar light to examine a patient at a rural clinic
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- Gladys demonstrates the Solar-Powered Microscope at Kikonda Health Center in Uganda
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- Charity is one of two midwives at Kikonda who reports a 4-fold increase in attended births
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- LTBLI Outreach Educator, GeorgeMike, and Executive Director, Sarah, put up Solar Health posters at local clinics
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- Board Member, Bridget, and Solar Health Educator, Caroline, conduct site visits in Wakiso District
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- 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.
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- Gloria safely reading beneath her bed net
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- Solar helps Teopista extend the hours at her vegetable stand and take care of her children
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- LTBLI speaking with a solar beneficiary, a single mother battling advanced cancer
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- Florence in the doorway of her home with her solar light
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- A family in Uganda with their solar light they use daily with their 10 children
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- Madilla lives in a remote area with her 10 children who all use their solar light
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.