Many however are putting their money into schooling and supplies, choosing instead to invest in their children's future. As a result of this financial burden, those that need light the most have been forced to go without.
Together with Goal Zero, we launched the pilot project in July of 2018, installing kits in ten homes, providing an average of six hours of light per day to a total of 26 students. Their progress is being tracked and, if the results are positive, we will propose that another 100 kits be set up so that every student in the village may benefit from this sustainable energy.
Click here to see the Dream Lights Photo Documentary.
'As for why the project speaks to me, it has a lot to do with my ending up with two new toasters this year. Yes I like toast a lot, and sure there's a fairly reasonable explanation (one's a toaster oven,) but I realized at some point that nobody really needs two toasters. We have so much luxury and comfort in our lives that not everybody shares, and I want to learn how to spread that around. And, with the state of politics in the US turning so many people inward and away from each other, I was compelled to reach out somewhere totally new to expand my world and my connections. I smile most when I'm flying or traveling, and from what I've seen so far Malawians smile most of the time no matter what, so it seems a natural combination. I've started practicing Chichewa, and one of the first websites I found list four different ways to say I am happy! That's reason enough for me.' -Alan [group:image:22869][/][group:image:22870][/][group:image:22868][/]
[box][h2]The Challenge:[/h2]Less than 2% of Malawian youth will attend high-school. Less than 2% have light in their homes. The fact of the matter is that, once a child's chores are done, the equatorial region sun has long since set and, without a study light, Malawian youth are unable to do homework and therefore perform poorly in school. [h2]Our Solution:[/h2]In 2018, The School of Dreams program partnered with Goal Zero to distribute Solar Powered Light Kits to ten homes of students showing a passion for school. The kits include: A 14-watt panel, 50-watt battery and two 5-watt LED lights. Read on or [url=http://theschoolofdreams.org/photo/dream_lights/][b]click here[/b][/url] to see the complete Dream Lights photo gallery. [/box] [show:image:23376][/] [box][h2]Even Cooler:[/h2]The Dream Lights are not only allowing students to continue their studies at night, but also allowing their parents to spend more time to complete important tasks like 'knuckling' and storing their maize harvest for the winter. We have also just heard that one of the Dream Light Students, Redson Massassa passed his grade-eight exams with flying colours and will be going on to highschool next year! Go Redson!!! [show:image:23353][/] [url=http://theschoolofdreams.org/photo/dream_lights/][b]Click here[/b][/url] to see the complete Dream Lights photo gallery. [/box] [group:image:23357][group:image:23358][group:image:23349][group:image:23366][group:image:23362][group:image:23364]
Adventure Bags & Pouches
