English Led Charity Seeks Crowdfunding To Take Prototype Into Production

For the first time there is a new solar powered lamp prototype that could improve/change the lives of millions living in Africa and around the world. The UK & Ghana based charity SunLife NGO is raising money through crowdfunding to bring this dream of safer, cleaner and free energy use to those in abject poverty by bringing the MiniSun12H out of development and into final trials.

The MiniSun12H is a small, robust, portable solar powered LED lamp. What makes this lamp a unique breakthrough is not only is it safer and brighter than the dangerous kerosene lamp that is the most commonly used form of lighting for most of the rural poor. But it will also sell at about the same price as a kerosene lamp (approx. US$5) which is half the price of the current solar alternatives.

Stephen Pearson, founder of volunteer led SunLife NGO and primary force behind the MiniSun12H said that:

“we have for many years strived to make possible the provision of a solar lamp on the market stall for about the same price as a new filled kerosene lamp, only when this happens will kerosene use diminish and villagers be able to save their fuel money (increasing income by 15-20%).”

The dangers of kerosene lamps are very real. The World Bank estimates that 780 million women and children breathing kerosene fumes inhale smoke equivalent to 2 packs of cigarettes every day. 60% of adult female lung-cancer victims in developing nations are non smokers. These fumes kill an estimated 1.5 million women and children in Africa every year. Also the kerosene needed for the lamps is a constant burden on the household income for these very poor people.

SunLife volunteers are working in Ghana with the few prototypes that have been developed, and have received excellent feedback from villagers and community organisations. This has prompted the launch of a crowd funding campaign on the crowd funding site Indiegogo, details of which can be found here: www.indiegogo.com

“we’re excited about the future, but our focus for now is to get as many people involved in the crowd funding campaign for MiniSun12H as possible.” says Mr Pearson.

If you would like more information, or to schedule an interview please call Stephen Pearson on 01985 213 440 or email stephenpearson@sunlifeafrica.org