Note: This project has been completed.
“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” Nelson Mandela
May 2013 – James Olivas of Belmont, California, a junior at Bellarmine College Preparatory in San Jose, CA, is passionate about education. He has been inspired by the work of non-profit organizations furthering educational opportunities of students around the world, and chose to become a Global Ambassador for One Million Lights. In August 2013, James will head to the Philippines to distribute 100 Great White Lights to an un-electrified community and school.
Miguel Mondia teachers with the NVC volunteers
In recent years, James admired the work of Negrense Volunteers for Change Foundation (NVC), a non-profit organization that built classrooms in his mother’s province in the Philippines. Inspired, James and his friends collected books to give to the students. They soon realized that without access to electricity at home, students in certain barrios were unable to read and study well using only kerosene lanterns. As a young adult passionate about giving back to the community, James is fundraising for solar LED lights he will personally distribute to a community in the Sitio Bais, Barangay Yubo, La Carlota city and the Miguel S. Mondia Elementary School.
Great White Light: Solar-charged 1000mAh battery powering 12 LEDs.
With solar powered LED lights, students can have additional productive hours in the evening to use for their studies. Families will have clean and safe lighting for household tasks and livelihood generation.
After a week-long distribution of 180 solar lights, Light Ambassador Sierra Fan reflects on her experience in the Philippines.
The absolute joy in the face of a child who has just received his very own solar light… so that he can read at night… is 100% worth every penny.
Ambassador Jessica Matthys: The solar lanterns will make a significant impact on these women‘s lives.
