Liter of Light campaign - An inspiring idea

Liter of Light is a green movement campaign from the Philippines which focuses on bringing light to houses in rural poor areas which remain dark during the day.

The ingenious idea is simple and extremely effective. A plastic bottle to be filled with water and bleach is to be installed on the corrugated iron roofs in rural houses. This bottle will reflect the sunlight that shines into the house and cause the light to be refracted evenly around, lighting up the insides like a 50 watt light bulb.

The plastic light bulbs however, only work during the day. Light's most necessary at night-time, so volunteers from Liter of Light are working on solar panels that can be easily installed inside the bottles to store up energy. They are also working on getting cheap lights to homes, and have worked on lights costing around HKD 180.

Why the focus on light? Access to lighting is important as it can cause social changes within households, boosting the quality of life for all members of the family. The women and mothers can have adequate lighting to cook and clean, improving hygiene and health inside the house. Women may also improve their personal efficiencies (whether via work or via nurturing their families) by utilising the time in the evening instead of sleeping, and can even be employed for small jobs e.g. knitting or small crafts which can be sold for profits.

Children, of course, are the future of each generation and the backbone to society. Education is a key factor in boosting human development. If children are provided with adequate lighting, they can study at home after class and do homework in the evenings without resorting to candlelight. Their young eyes can be preserved better and eye health can progressively improve.

I think it's a very worthwhile campaign, and a very interesting one too.

Facebook page HERE.