Campaign Status

Ongoing Offline: The campaign is currently ongoing offline and, thus still in the process of collecting funds. 

Summary

The campaign aims to distribute 3,000 small solar lamps in collaboration with two primary schools.

Challenge

In rural areas of Yemen, families relying on daily income face numerous life challenges. These families lack access to modern energy services, and all rural family activities come to a halt after sunset, a common occurrence these days. The average family size in rural areas is eight members, with 48% adults, 20% aged 12-18, 18% aged 9-12, and 14% aged under six. Most family members are youth aged 12-18, predominantly students in secondary and middle schools.

Many students are unable to continue studying at night due to the lack of lighting sources. The available sources are costly, unsafe, and unhealthy. Rural Yemeni families depend on various energy sources for lighting. Estimates show 45% of families use candles and kerosene for lighting. According to a 2015 UN Environment Program report titled "Developing Effective Off-grid Lighting Policy - Guidance for African Governments," off-grid Yemeni families could annually save over 1.6 million liters of kerosene and 3000 tons of candles, equivalent to 426,000 tons of CO2.

Reduced spending on traditional lighting sources and decreased health risks will positively impact education, health, and students' lifestyles in Yemen. The lack of reliable lighting access has consecutive effects on economic and social development. Inhaling harmful gases negatively affects health, and dim lighting may reduce study time, ultimately challenging students' attitudes toward education.

Here's a summary of the health and economic impacts associated with traditional energy sources:

Health Impacts:

• Chronic health risks include indoor air pollution from kerosene lamps emitting pollutants like CO, CO2, SO2, NO2, formaldehyde, and VOCs, leading to respiratory issues and increased infection rates.
• Vision impairment due to inadequate lighting can cause eye strain and fatigue.
• Fire hazards from kerosene lamps and candles increase burn injuries among children, with long-term physical and emotional effects, escalating medical care costs.

Economic Impact:

• Potential savings from direct household spending on fuel-based lighting can represent a potential increase in education spending. However, implementing a national policy is crucial for such a transformation, though currently unlikely.
• The economic impact can be estimated by measuring the average annual family expenditure and associated costs. The 2015 UN Environment Program report estimated annual family savings in Yemen from kerosene and candle lighting at $68,575,000 (low scenario) to $86,189,000 (high scenario).

Solution

The Yemeni Lighting Initiative aims to provide clean and affordable lighting sources to school students, ensuring they can continue studying at night. This is achieved by providing them with small solar lamps. The initiative targets the reduction of family spending on traditional lighting sources and the avoidance of health risks from kerosene lamp emissions or fire hazards.

The initiative will commence its activities in the Taiz Governorate, Al-Mawasit Directorate, Bani Hammad, by collaborating with two primary schools for boys and girls and distributing 3000 small solar lamps.

Providing small solar lamps for lighting not only helps students continue their studies at night but also reduces family spending on traditional lighting sources (candles, batteries, kerosene), costing each family with school-going children at least $1 per day. Additionally, it mitigates health risks and fire hazards associated with traditional lighting sources.