Lighted Pathway to Success

Solar lights changing lives in Rural Ghana

Enthusiasm and light radiate from Peter Yobo as he talks about helping underprivileged youth reach their own unique potential. He feels that even people growing up in dire circumstances can be agents of positive change within their communities and around the world, but first, they need two things: assistance and exposure.

Peter and fellow native Ghanian, Pichon Duplon, co-founded a youth empowerment organization called iStandAbove that provides assistance and exposure for motivated youth.

One Million Lights partnered with these two motivated young men on the ‘Lighted Pathway to Success’ program that brought solar lights to members of 3 villages in the rural, central region of Ghana, Ogyamadze, Appiatse Kwaa, and Kwasi Gyan No. 2.

‘Lighted Pathway to Success’ is a program designed to initially combat the issue of inadequate access to clean, affordable light for village members whose lives are plunged into darkness when the sun goes down. iStandAbove organized this project so that it would be a catalyst to encourage the villages to take ownership of the development of their communities. They worked with community leaders to decide on a fair price to rent the solar lights to community members. The rental fee obtained is then pumped back into the community to overcome other problems such as access to clean, safe water.

Additionally, the solar lights are useful for men when they go hunting for food and mothers to cook at night, children to play games, study and do their homework at night for a more promising future.

Pichon Duplan of iStandAbove says “in the process of this endeavor, iSA is aiding these communities in standing above their hardships for one’s development not only for the individual but the community as a whole.”

Pichon, pictured here with some of the light recipients in Ghana, echoes the founding principles of iStandAbove in using Leadership, Teamwork, and Creativity to turn problems into solutions. Pichon is a student at Babson College near Boston, MA and Peter is a University of Southern California student.

iStandAbove is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to propel underprivileged young individuals toward their goals by providing them with the resources necessary to ensure their continued upward movement on the ladder of success.

One Million Lgihts is thrilled to have such amazing partners!

Donate a light today to help send more lights to villages like the ones iStandAbove is empowering in Ghana.