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Solar Empowerment for South African Youth

Educate, train and employ South African youth in small solar energy installations

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Solar Empowerment for South African Youth

Solar Empowerment for South African Youth

Solar Empowerment for South African Youth

Solar Empowerment for South African Youth

Solar Empowerment for South African Youth

Educate, train and employ South African youth in small solar energy installations

Educate, train and employ South African youth in small solar energy installations

Educate, train and employ South African youth in small solar energy installations

Educate, train and employ South African youth in small solar energy installations

Ed Bender
Ed Bender
Ed Bender
Ed Bender
1 Campaign |
Hopkinton, United States
$2,440 USD 42 backers
24% of $10,000 Flexible Goal Flexible Goal
Choose your Perk
featured

2 - I "Heart" Solar Stickers

$10 USD
1 out of 25 of claimed

Solar Energy Champion

$10 USD
2 claimed

Solar Fire Starter

$25 USD
2 claimed

Solar Jar Light Kit -soldering

$30 USD
1 claimed

Solar Jar Light Kit - Prewired

$35 USD
2 claimed

Solar Triple Beam Flashlight

$35 USD
0 claimed

Solar Jar Light Color Changing

$40 USD
0 claimed

Solar USB Smartphone Charger

$45 USD
2 claimed

SolarLab 1.0 Educational Kit

$75 USD
1 claimed

SolarLab and Solar Kit Bundle

$140 USD
0 claimed

Summary

We are seeking to raise $10,000 to start a pilot program that will train and employ local youth to install, distribute and maintain home solar energy/lighting systems for people in rural villages and towns in South Africa without access to consistent, reliable, and renewable power. The money raised, after expenses, will pay for 50 solar lighting systems to begin this project.

We know, if we teach people how to build and use solar solutions for their energy needs their lives and their communities will be changed for years to come.

We know, replacing kerosene as a primary fuel source with solar energy solutions will bring improvement to the health and well-being of women, children and communities.

We are committed to creating long term solutions to the energy and economic needs of energy impoverished communities in South Africa and other developing countries.

SUNDANCE SOLAR has partnered with Educo Africa and ASPIRE Youth, two local non-governmental organizations (NGOs). Working together, we will provide the equipment, business & technical training and mentoring necessary to educate people in urban and rural areas on the health and economic benefits of the use of solar energy. 

We know supplying homes with solar energy systems and training and mentoring the youth contributes to improving the health and standard of living of families and their communities. 

We know every act of kindness and empowerment inspires another. (Read Pam’s story)

We know, others need your help and support.   

We know working together we can make a difference.

Some Facts

In the 21st century there are millions of people who do not have a single light bulb in their homes. 

Roughly 1.6 billion people worldwide do not have access to electricity in their homes, representing more than 25% of the world population.

Most of the electricity-deprived live in sub-Saharan Africa. 

This lack of electricity deprives people of basic necessities.

The majority of the people living in South Africa do not have access to consistent and reliable electricity.

Families rely on burning kerosene and biomass over open fires or in inefficient stoves. This contributes to health-threatening indoor air pollution.

People, mostly women and children, walk miles just to purchase small amounts of kerosene so families can eat and children have a light to study by.

As many as 2 million deaths each year are attributed to this risk factor.

The World Health Organization estimates that 1.6 million of these deaths are women and children, whose responsibility for domestic chores makes them relatively more exposed to indoor air pollution from cooking and heating.( World Health Organization (WHO), “Indoor Air Pollution and Health,” Fact Sheet #292 (Geneva: June 2005).

South Africa gets an average of 2500 hours of sunlight per year. 

This makes South Africa a perfect location for harnessing solar energy.

The cost of a solar energy system is significantly less than the financial and human costs of buying and using fuels like kerosene.

Most people in underdeveloped countries and communities do not have access to resources and information about solar energy systems. This lack of information and education creates challenges when presenting solar energy as an alternative to kerosene for their lighting and power needs.

By making a contribution you will be supporting a global movement towards making solar energy more affordable and accessible to the folks who need it most.

Pam's Story – Pennsylvania science teacher inspired to make a difference!

Pamela Ulicny, a biology and environmental science teacher at Tri-Valley Jr/Sr High School in Hegins, PA is making her light shine on the impoverished areas of South Africa.

Pam’s journey began in April of 2011 when she was selected as one of 24 teachers in the U.S. to visit South Africa. These teachers were selected by and funded through the Toyota International Teacher Program and the Institute of International Education (IIE).

Pam’s “once-in-a-lifetime experience" has transformed her and the lives of people living in the impoverished townships of South Africa.

She recalls - “All I could think of is how wrong it felt to be sitting on a coach bus, looking down at the township and its folk, taking pictures of them as if they were some type of attraction, and then knowing that I was going to eat my fill in a quality restaurant and sleep in a four star hotel that night."

The connection between a lack of consistent renewable energy and the education of the South African youth hit home with Pam when she realized students leave school and  have no safe and consistent  lighting in their homes by which to study.

Girls in Mali building their solar jar lights.

However, during her trip to South Africa, Pam learned about Educo Africa. A non-profit organization working with at-risk youth from impoverished South African townships, Educo Africa helps to empower and transform disadvantaged South African communities by focusing on vulnerable youth, their parents/guardians, and their social environment.

Upon return from South Africa, Pam contacted Mark Gamble, CEO of Educo Africa. In the fall of 2012, Pam and Mark came up with the idea of fusing science education with the needs of the people in South Africa by finding a low-cost way to provide solar-powered lanterns to people with no access to electricity.

Students from PA with their completed solar jar lights.

Pam created a science education unit tied directly to the alternative energy unit in her high school environmental science class. The unit incorporated more technology, engineering, and math into the lessons. She also envisioned the possibility of teaching South African students to design and build their own solar-powered lanterns, using some simple materials they can already access such as a glass jar or other clear containers.

Students in Nicaragua learn about solar energy.

In November 2012, Pam partnered with SUNDANCE SOLAR to design a working prototype of a solar powered LED jar light kit. After a few months, we had a circuit board designed and produced in order to create a functional do-it-yourself kit.

The outcome of this collaboration is the SunBender DIY Solar LED Jar Light Kit. This kit is a simple way of turning a recycled jar into a functioning solar lantern and is available to teachers and the general public.

Pam also developed a detailed curriculum guide for teachers, homeschoolers, and parents. The guide is available free on SUNDANCE SOLAR'S website.

Today, Pam and her students continue to work with SUNDANCE SOLAR and ASPIRE Youth to find solutions to the energy challenges facing South African youth, their families and communities.

Pam's students work on solar jar lights.

Ways You Can Help

If you've made it this far down the page, we are GRATEFUL. THANKS for taking the time to read more about what we are working to accomplish! 

We appreciate any support you can provide to help us move our vision forward.

You can chose from our great assortment of Perks! 

Get some early gifts for kids and grand-kids!


On a local level, you will be helping to support energy independence, economic development and improve the health and well-being of women & children.

Your support will help supply a family with a solar energy/lighting system capable of providing clean efficient lighting and enough power to charge (via USB) devices such as cellphones and radios.  This is much healthier, economical and efficient than the small kerosene lanterns currently being used in most homes and communities.

Your contribution is also supporting a global movement towards making solar energy more affordable and accessible.

Other Ways You Can Help

Even if you are unable to contribute at this time, it doesn't mean you can't help.  There is always tomorrow!

So, please:

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Make some noise about our campaign!

Email it, Share it on your Facebook, Tweet it! 

(you can use the Indiegogo share tools on this page)

Thanks again for your interest, for your generosity, and your time.





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