Giving solar lights can be hard work at times, from sunburns to dehydration and eating fish daily. But being a traveller and photographer has thought me how to deal with this situations. Preparing myself mentally for this adventures to come.
On 30th May 2015, we donated 190 solar lights to families living in Baligiuan Island, Concepcion in Philippines via the ‘Give Them Light’ project. A photographic project in creating awareness on human rights issues, children living in poverty and social issues in Asia.
It was a good day for all of us, a day that I will always remember as I kept a promise made ten months ago. I first found this island on 16th July 2014 after the typhoon. Surprisingly the families still remembered me and were thankful to see me again as this time I came with ‘gifts’.
A total of 400 lives will benefit with lights in their homes today after receiving the Nokero solar lights that were donated and sponsored by those who support this project. A big thank you to a company with a heart, trusting partners and main sponsors LUSH Netherlands via a crowd funding organization GET IT DONE, Holland.
Those who make things happen for social projects around the world. The social project ‘Give Them Light’ which is pioneered by iMKIRAN (Kiran Kreer) a photojournalist and a humanitarian, raises funds for the Nokero solar lights via the website www.imkiran.com/GiveThemLight, each light only cost $15 to help a single family.
It was a proud ending for the Philippines chapter with the final distribution of the lights to families who have been living with no electricity since the 2013 Typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda) that destroyed thousands of homes here.
We have been traveling for almost one year to the Philippines since the typhoon and have already donated solar lights to 5 different locations with a total of 620 lights that helped over 1500 survivors.
A special thank you and much love to Hassan (project manager) of Humanity First Canada in supporting this project and getting the lights to this locations. Humanity First Canada has currently successfully build over 300 homes/shelters and some schools for the typhoon survivors in Panay, Philippines.
All the new homes/shelters on Baligiuan Island had received this solar lights. Today they live in new homes with lights, with a new hope. No more temporary shelters and kerosene lamps.
Arriving at Baliguian island after a 4 hour journey with the local transports, a van and a pump boat. Locals helping in getting the solar light boxes out.
A locals/recipient of the solar lights awaiting to get new lights for their homes.
A total of 400 lives today will benefit in having lights in their homes today after receiving the Nokero solar lights. The main sponsorships came from LUSH Netherlands via a crowd funding organisation GET IT DONE, Holland.
Hassan Naeem from Humanity First Canada helping out with the distribution. The NGO build the 134 bamboo wooden houses for this typhoon survivors. (Bamboo homes seen in images)
The first few that received the lights. A new N202 model from Nokero that also comes with a stand for eating and reading light.
Each family receives two solar lights, each home has about four to eight members living together.
A total of 190 Nokero solar lights were given out today! – Baliguian Island, Philippines
One of the homes build by NGO Humanity First Canada. They did a fantastic job in building homes that fit the culture and lifestyle of the locals here. At times we need to know what people need rather than do what we think is right. Wooden and bamboo homes are the natural form of houses here on many fishing islands of Philippines.
Another house/shelter by Humanity First Canada that is a home today, the family here lives with a new garden, gate and also a grocery stall within the house. Life has started all over again as believes in the value of developing their life.
“Today they will not use kerosene lamps anymore but solar lights with clean energy.” – Kiran
One of the oldest residents here receiving her lights. Many elderly here are living with no basic need and no electricity since the typhoon.
The island has many children as most families have an average of four to seven kids. Family planning is not something that is believed here. I have met many mothers who are at the age of 17 to 19 years old.
Mother with babies will benefit the most from this solar lights when feeding the babies, children reading and sleeping.
Spending some time with the locals. Explaining how the solar lights will benefit them, mainly the children and babies.
A mother hanging the light in her bedroom. They have a single bamboo bed with five people living here.
Children and babies will benefit from these lights. No more unhealthy kerosene lamps while sleeping.
Today they have a solar light for dinner not a kerosene lamp or candle.
It’s not just an item to be donated to help light up homes, it’s a gift of hope, it’s to pass on a message that people around the world still care and for more support to come their way.
