Solar | Kiva

Stories tagged with Solar

May 5, 2013 Uganda

The most compelling benefit of microfinance and the reason I was drawn to the Kiva fellowship is its potential to empower the most vulnerable people around the world, particularly women. It’s no secret that women have the greatest impact on their families and their well-being, especially when they have more control over household finances. Across most of the developing world, this is not the case but organizations that work to reach women in these countries are helping to change that. Solar Sister is one such organization based in Kampala, Uganda.

Approximately... Continue Reading >

Mar 3, 2013 Global Update

Solar Solutions in Western Kenya - One Woman's Quest to Change Her Community By Amy Barth

I met Eunice due to an emergency Kiva Fellows situation -- Liz, our incredibly talented media fellow needed to film a bee hive inspection at night, and we had no lights. Luckily, I noticed a ‘Solar Solutions’ shop across the street, we ran over to see what we could find. After a few...

Feb 2, 2013 Nicaragua

Mural outside Tecnosol's office in Managua, Nicaragua

For a moment, think about what you do in a normal, everyday, 24-hour time period. Take a second; no rush.

Got it? Now imagine it without electricity.

I’m guessing a significant portion of your everyday activities would suddenly become impossible, extremely less efficient, or flat-out uncomfortable. Sure, you could probably go without some of the... Continue Reading >

Dec 12, 2012 Uganda

Solar Sister and Kiva: Helping Women Entrepreneurs to Bring Solar Light to Rural Uganda By Laura Sellmansberger

Laura Sellmansberger | KF19 | Uganda

Roughly 1.6 billion people in the world do not have access to reliable electricity. Lack of power is a complex issue that results in countless other problems, and it is both a cause and an effect of unremitting poverty. Without light, children are unable to do their homework and study. Midwives must perform deliveries in the dark. Children, especially girls, often spend hours a day collecting firewood to be used for light and heat instead of going to school. Mothers are forced to cook with kerosene,...