Zuva is a durable, temperature resistant, water resistant solar flashlight with a rubberized exterior for added strength, a 3-watt, 185 lumen LED, and a 2,200 mAh (milliamphere-hour) rechargeable lithium-ion battery capable of fully charging an iPhone or Android phone through the USB port built into the handle.
What it means for you is a versatile device that you can use at home or outdoors, every day or in emergencies to both provide light and power the devices that keep you connected to the world. All in a size that will easily fit in a pocket.
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Why Zuva?
"Zuva" means "Sun" in the Shona language spoken in Zimbabwe. We chose it not only because our light is solar-chargeable, but because we believe that, like the sun, our Zuva has the ability to help improve human well-being in the developed world as well as the developing world.
You might already know that the International Energy Agency estimates that there are over 1.3 billion people in the world without access to electricity. More than 95% of these people are either in Sub-Saharan Africa or developing Asia.
We spent several years living in Mozambique, and witnessed this shortage first-hand. While in Mozambique, we realized that the people there are basically like people everywhere.
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They struggle on a daily basis to make life better for themselves and their children.
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They gather together to share the joys and sorrows of their lives.
They do all of the things that all of us do every day. The difference is that they are hindered by lack of access to many necessities, one of the most vital of which is electricity.
In the developed world, we tend to take the importance of reliable electricity for granted. It drives an economy. It provides light in times of darkness. It powers the devices that keep us connected to the world.
The importance of cell phones in the developing world cannot be over-estimated. They are life-lines that not only drive economic development, but also provide safety and security.
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How Does Zuva Address the Need for Energy and Communication?
We saw a need for a device that could reliably provide both light at night and power for cellular phones in those places where you cannot readily plug into a dependable power grid.
Zuva is all of these things. It is durable enough to be used in the harshest of conditions. It has a lithium-ion battery that can be charged by the sun, or by a micro-USB port and has enough power to fully recharge the most demanding of cellular phones. It has a 1.5 watt LED that provides 125 lumens of light. And it is affordable enough that it is accessible to a large portion of the world's population.
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I Want to Make a Difference in the World, But Do I Get Anything Else?
Sure you do!
Helping promote sustainable growth and self-reliance in developing countries is definitely a good incentive to contribute, but the best incentive, we think, is that this is a really cool device. You get a device with the capabilities of lights that cost over $100, and at a fraction of the price.
How will you use it? That's entirely up to you. We've made a device that's durable and versatile enough that you can use it just about anywhere.
Just imagine how helpful Zuva will be during sustained power outages or other emergencies. With one device, you'll be able to handle multiple emergency needs.
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How to Charge your Zuva
Here is the best way to charge your Zuva light:
1. Unscrew the end cap (counter clockwise).
2. Using a micro USB cable, plug your Zuva light into any USB port.
3. Once the battery is fully charged the red light will change to green.
4. Remove the cable, replace the end cap, and place your Zuva in a sunny window, with the solar panel facing toward the sun. This will keep the battery fully charged.![]()
International Shipping
We've had several questions about this. International shipping is not included in the pricing, so if you are outside the USA and would like to purchase Zuvas, the shipping cost is a flat $10 (no matter how many ZUVAs you buy).
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We have already reached our funding goal, but now we are extending this offer to increase our reach.
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About Zuva
Features
Durable, rubber-coated, poly-carbonate body
Water/Heat Resistant
Sleek Design
Standard USB port will charge any iPhone or Android phone
The ZUVA can be charged two ways: 1) A micro-USB port is built into the handle of the light that quickly charges the battery. 2) an efficient solar panel provides emergency charging capability. Although the micro-USB port is the principle charging method, Zuva can be fully charged through the solar panel.
Multiple illumination levels - First click for 80 lumens, second click for 185 lumens
Never need to replace LED or battery.
Specifications
Length: 6 inches
Color: Hi-vis Yellow
Composition: 100% polycarbonate (for strength)
Battery: 2,200 mAh rechargeable lithium-ion battery
Light: 40,000 hour, 3.0 watt LED
Charging: Micro-USB and Monocrystalline Solar Panel
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About Us
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We're Loren and Tina Spendlove. We lived and worked in Mozambique and Angola for nearly 5 years and gained a great love and appreciation for Africa and its wonderful people. We have a great deal of experience bringing products to market in the United States through traditional means. This is our first crowd-funding project, and we're launching it because we don't just want to bring another product to market. We want Zuva to make a difference in the lives of people like those we met in Mozambique, and feel that it has the potential to do so. We have 5 adult children, and 8 grandchildren!
Loren:
PhD, Education – University of Wyoming. MBA – California State University, Fullerton. BS, Finance – Brigham Young University. Certified Financial Manager (CFM). Certified Management Accountant (CMA).
Tina:
MA, Health Psychology – Northcentral University. BA, Psychology – Southern Utah University.
