Thursday, May 10, 2012



May 2012 Newsletter

The GlobalLight Projects team celebrates with one of its own: Thomas Chona has completed a 3 year program of studies in Alternative Energy Engineering Technology at Lambton College. Prior to becoming a founding member of GlobalLight Projects, Thomas became a photo-voltaic technician. All of this hard work was done to bring the benefits and conveniences we all take for granted to people in the developing world. That's why GlobalLight Projects was formed and while Thomas has been a student, he led solar energy installations in two rural Zambian villages. The College has honoured Thomas for his pioneering work by providing a bursary to assist him with this year's project.

We are also pleased to announce that the Lambton chapter of Students in Free Enterprise (SIFE) is also taking up the challenge. SIFE is a program of a national charitable program, Advancing Canadian Entrepeneurship, which "encourages students to form teams on their campus and apply business concepts learned in the classroom to develop outreach projects that improve the quality of life and standard of living for people in need." Inspired by GlobalLight Projects' track record of successfully installing working solar energy systems in under-developed areas, SIFE is exploring if they can form a partnership to bring a range of development capabilities to rural Zambia. To that end, 3 SIFE members, two students and an instructor will be traveling with Thomas in June. They have also graciously provided funding for Thomas' travel and some project expenses.

Thomas will graduate on June 9 and depart with the SIFE team on June 11. He will be away for 3 weeks. The purpose of this year's trip is to introduce the SIFE team to potential development partners and expose them to the needs and opportunities in rural Zambia. Thomas will also upgrade the 2 projects completed in Chona and Kasaka. Should sufficient funds be available, a school at a third site is ready and waiting for its solar power.

The GlobalLight Projects team has been working on these plans since last fall but we couldn't say anything until plans were finalized. We are excited that others want to work with us. There is so much to do! We could still use some help, though. A full school installation costs $30,000. The small installations we have done cost $10,000. We have enough funds to upgrade the existing installations, but $10,000 would really make a difference.

If you would like to help Thomas with this year's project, you can do so by following this link. As before, Royal View Church cares for the funds for us and will provide tax receipts (or CanadaHelps will if you make a credit card donation through them to Royal View). Funds need to be on hand by June 1 in order to be processed and available for Thomas' trip. To all those who have given in the past, this newsletter demonstrates your investment has brought much more than we had dared to hope.  A gift this year will make a difference to both young Canadian students and rural African children.
Thank you!

If you have  a question or comment Contact us.


All our dreams can come true – if we have the courage to pursue them.
 
– Walt Disney
          


Your GlobalLIght Projects Team
Thomas, Wayde, Peter, Marilyn & Doug



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