Imagine a hospital without light
A story from Rural Nigerian Maternity Wards by Laura Stachel of WE CARE Solar
I have travelled to Northern Nigeria several times over the last two years to learn about emergency care of childbearing women and their children. 60% of Nigeria has no access to electricity,  and the remaining 40% that do have access, only have electricity for a few hours a day. Sadly, even hospitals are included in this rationing of power. Time and time again, I witnessed situations where effective light could be the difference between performing a procedure or sending a patient away, between doing a c/section or transferring a woman to another hospital, between life and death.
In response to the deficiencies in light and electricity at the hospital, I co-founded an organization called WE CARE Solar – Women’s Emergency Communication And Reliable Electricity.  Our first project was to provide solar powered overhead lighting to some wards of one state hospital – specifically the maternity ward, labor/delivery room, and operating room. These facility improvements have made a huge difference for health care workers and patients in these wards. But… as so many hospital staff have reminded me, the solar-powered wards are “islands of light in a sea of darkness.”
We’ve since partnered with One Million Lights to equip hospital staff with personal  solar lights to grow these islands of light. One of the highlights of my last trip to Nigeria was field testing One Million Lights’ solar lights with hospital staff in this Northern Nigerian hospital.
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Some of the pink solar lights you see here were donated by Karen Landry in honor of her dear friend, Nancy Alden.
Help Laura take more solar lights to Nigeria on her next trip by donating a light for maternal health here.
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Help One Million Lights send lights to Haiti
Our goal is to send at least 100 lights with healthcare providers and other relief workers. Help us make a difference for the people of Haiti.
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Kids helping Kids in a HUGE way
Eisenhower Elementary of Santa Clara, CA Raises over $3,000 to Send Solar Lights to Students in India
Last month the student council of Eisenhower, all 5th graders pictured here presenting a check to Anna Sidana of One Million Lights, set out to inspire their school to raise funds to send solar lights to Southern India. They exceeded their initial goal of $2,500 or 100 lights by more than $800. They raised funds for 133 lights!
As a way to empathize with the students in India receiving the lights, the Eisenhower students, with their families, spent 2 hours in darkness. Manasvini, a 5th grader said, “When I turned the lights out and lit two candles… I felt as if I was alone in the house and nowhere near people…. There were gigantic shadows…. When I turned the light on, it suddenly seemed so bright.” She further reflected that “the thing kids in India use for light is dangerous. If it accidentally topples over, their house might go on fire!” Sanson, a 2nd grader, wrote that he’s okay with not having electricity “for one day. But I do not like to have blackouts every day.” After her darkness experience, Natalie, another 2nd grader said, “I am more thankful than ever to have electricity.”
These lights are going to Ganganahalli, India where students like the little girl pictured above, will use these lights to study and read in the evenings after the sun sets. We’ll be sending the lights in the coming months so that each student will have their own solar light for evening study.
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16,441 Lights
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If you are interested in taking these lights with you on your next trip to Karnataka or Tamil Nadu, India, please contact us at contact@onemillionlights.org.
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See our new Global Ambassador Program for details about taking lights on your next trip abroad.
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