Just 8 Days Left In Crowd Funding Campaign For Innovative Solar Lamp To Fight Fuel Poverty

OXTED, U.K. - Feb. 17, 2014 - PRLog -- Stephen Pearson, the founder of SunLifeAfrica NGO and driving force behind the MiniSun12H, an innovative and breakthrough solar lamp 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 solar lamp has a very real opportunity to replace dangerous kerosene lamps in the homes of the 1.2 billion people that live ‘offgrid’ globally if we can get it into mass production.

Crowd funding for the MiniSun12H has been taking place over the last 7 weeks, and there are just 8 days left in the campaign on the crowd funding website Indiegogo.  SunLifeAfrica NGO is hoping to raise enough money to take the MiniSun12H into final production.  Putting this valuable tool in the fight against fuel poverty into the hands of the world’s poorest peoples.

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, immediately 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 MiniSun12H is a small, robust, portable solar powered LED lamp.  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, (@SunLifeNGO) the campaign for the MiniSun12H now has just 8 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

Videos outlining the many and various benefits of Solar Power over the burning of fossil fuels have been made by volunteers in Africa.  There are also discussion with African Villagers and leaders about how the MiniSun12H will change lives for the better, immediately and dramatically.  To watch them just follow this link.

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

This campaign is causing a real 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 just 8 days left 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