New Solar Powered Lamp As Affordable As A Kerosene Lamp Can Bring An End To Fuel Poverty

OXTED, U.K. - Feb. 10, 2014 - PRLog -- International Charity’s Crowd Funding Campaign Needs Your Help

SunLife NGO, an English led charity with offices in Africa and the United States, is currently raising money through a crowd funding campaign to bring its breakthrough prototype, the MiniSun12H, from testing into final production.  Stephen Pearson, the founder of SunLife NGO, who’s dream of the past 10 years has been clean, affordable, renewable energy for the world, says:

“we have for many years strived to make possible the provision of a solar lamp on the market stall for about the same price as a new filled kerosene lamp, only when this happens will kerosene use diminish and villagers be able to save their fuel money. (increasing income by 15-20%)”

The MiniSun12H has a very real opportunity to replace dangerous kerosene in the homes of the 1.2 billion people that live ‘offgrid’ globally.  The MiniSun12H is a small, robust, portable solar powered LED lamp.  What makes this lamp a unique breakthrough is not only is it safer and brighter than the dangerous kerosene lamp that is the most commonly used form of lighting for most of the rural poor. But it will also sell at about the same price as a kerosene lamp (approx. US$5) which is half the price of the current solar alternatives.  Freed of the burden of purchasing fuel every week villagers could use that money to make dramatic changes, improving their lives and the lives of those around them.

The dangers of kerosene lamps are very real. The World Bank estimates that 780 million women and children breathing kerosene fumes inhale smoke equivalent to 2 packs of cigarettes every day. 60% of adult female lung-cancer victims in developing nations are non smokers. These fumes kill an estimated 1.5 million women and children in Africa every year. Also the kerosene needed for the lamps is a constant burden on the household income for these very poor people.

The real and significant impact that this product can have on the lives of so many is what prompted SunLife NGO to start their crowd funding campaign.  Having received good support online, in industry and environmental blogs, as well as on Twitter, the campaign for the MiniSun12H now has just over 14 days to run and needs more support to reach its target of US$47,000.  You can visit the site at:

http://www.indiegogo.com/projects/goodbye-dangerous-kerosene-hello-safe-solar-minisun12h

There are several videos about the campaign, made by volunteers in Africa, talking about the MiniSun12H, showing the technology and it’s impact in the homes of villagers, on the YouTube Channel:

http://www.youtube.com/user/sunlifengo?feature=watch

This campaign is causing a buzz in the fight against fuel poverty, and it is important that everyone gets involved to help SunLife NGO bring this dream of affordable, renewable, clean energy to the poor of the world.  With time running out Stephen Pearson has this to say:

“we’re excited about the future, but our focus for now is to get as many people involved in the crowd funding campaign for MiniSun12H as possible.”

If you would like more information, or to schedule an interview please call Stephen Pearson on 01985 213 440 or email stephenpearson@sunlifeafrica.org