Haarlem (The Netherlands) — January 14, 2013 – Dutch company Off Grid Solutions announced today that it will donate 10.000 solar led lights to Haitians still living in the dark after the earthquake of 2010. Based on an average household of five, this means that 50.000 Haitians (that are now depending on dangerous, toxic and expensive kerosene lamps) will be enjoying the fruits of safe and affordable light: longer days, higher education rates, better sanitation, more safety and higher income, to name only a few.
Light Up Haiti
The crowdfunding campaign was organized for the introduction of the WakaWaka Power, a solar led lamp combined with a charger for all smartphones and tablets. For each WakaWaka Power sold, one WakaWaka Light was donated to Haiti. The expected time of delivery will be this spring. At this moment Off Grid Solutions is discussing with NGO’s and refugee organizations the best way to distribute the lamps. The aim is to reach maximum impact with the donation.
Crowdfunding
In one month, a sum was pledged of $419,472 on US-based Kickstarter and € 212,238 on Dutch platform OnePlanetCrowd, together practically $700,000 brought together by more than 7,000 backers from all over the world. Many, because they wanted to get their hands on the most efficient solar charger & light in the world and wanted to get it first. Others because they wanted to make a difference in the world and got a cool gadget as a reward.