Christmas ‘14 Newsletter

In our Fall newsletter, we planned to repair our two installed systems that had equipment failure. There was some urgency because the rainy season was coming, which due to the isolated locations, would put them out of reach for several months. The communities were anxious to get power back into the schools and a non-working system is worse than no system at all. We needed $2000 to send an electrician with the new parts to get everything back on. Thanks to our generous friends, we were able to complete the repairs by early November. Here you can see the truck at one of the schools - the sky is not cloudy yet - and Duncan, the electrician at work.

Because of the need for repairs and Thomas’ schedule which did not permit time to travel this year, we have not installed a new system this year. However, we do know where there is a need, so we are working on plans for 2015. The technology continues to improve and commercial interests are also taking note of rural Africa with its vast need for modern infrastructure. However, electrifying schools is still not a priority, in part because communities find it difficult to pay utility fees. So, there is still need for GLP to lead the way in making better futures for the next generation. In addition to relying on our friends for support, we are also engaging some key corporations to see if they will leverage our experience and contacts with their resources. These things take patience and persistence.

Thanks again for your interest and support. You have made a huge difference for children who can now attend school with lights and computers. If you would like to make a donation, you can do so  online through CanadaHelps or mail a cheque made out to Royal View Church with the notation GlobalLight Projects to Wayde Foss, 4 McManus Pl., London, ON N5V 4X2. Donations over $10 will receive a tax deductible receipt. If you would like to make a donation as a gift in someone’s honour, we will be happy to send a GLP card for you to notify your honouree. Just include a note with your donation.

From all of us at GlobalLight Projects, may you have a blessed Christmas season!

If you have  a question or comment Contact us.

If you cannot do great things, do small things in a great way.

~Napolean Hill

Your GlobalLIght Projects Team

Thomas, Wayde, Peter, Marilyn & Doug

Christmas 2012 Newsletter

It was a good year for Globallight Projects! Thomas made two trips to Zambia, in June and August. On the first trip, he traveled with with 3 members of SIFE from Lambton College, where he graduated this summer with a diploma in Alternative Energy Engineering Technology. A major purpose of the trip was to introduce these representatives, a teacher and two students, to the needs and opportunities for them to bring their skills and resources to southern Zambia. The local communities received them very well and we are pleased to say that new partnerships are being formed that will be of benefit to Lambton College and to the people of Zambia.

Some pics from 2012 trip - notice the panels & batteries

On both trips, the recent installations were improved. Thomas upgraded some equipment in Chona and extended the installation to another building in Kasaka. We are very pleased that both systems are working well. The folks in Kasaka have been especially creative, providing movie nights with the videos that we provided. A small admission is charged and the money is saved up to purchase a TV so that the life of the projector Globallight Projects provided will be extended. The videos are educational, such as National Geographic, so adults and children are learning together some of the wonders of our world while working together to improve their own community. That is what we hoped would happen: give folks a hand up and they will take it from there!
Since the summer, we have been working on plans for next year. There are a couple of possibilities, but these things always need some nurturing. We are also exploring more partnerships. There is just too much to be done to do it alone! Globallight Projects values working together with others of like mind and now that we have a track-record of successful installations, we bring proven skill and experience to potential partners. We look forward to being able to announce results of this ‘behind the scenes’ work.
One thing we do know, is that we intend to send Thomas to Zambia in 2013. We are committed to carrying out at least one project each year. We are very pleased and grateful that we have some funds already on hand for 2013, primarily though the very kind and generous support of the Social Justice Committee of Mary Immaculate Church in London. They have proved themselves to be great partners and supporters in each of our projects. But, we still need substantial funds to do all we’d like next year.
So many trusted and helped us before we had proven we could fulfil our dream of making a difference for somebody in the developing world. Thank you! Now that we know a little bit of what we are doing, there is so much to do! We will be so grateful if you would consider investing in Globallight Projects this year. Some folks make a donation at Christmas in lieu of exchanging gifts. We can send you a special GLP card to announce your gift. Or, a donation in the first part of 2013 will help another community in southern Zambia have electricity in their school. As we always have, your gift will be used 100% for the overseas project - the GLP team pays all overhead expenses here. Donations can be made to Royal View Church and will receive a receipt for income tax purposed. Please visit our donation page for more information.
Thank you for your continuing interest in Globallight Projects. We continue to believe that today’s children deserve better prospects than their grandparents had. But that will only happen if we do something!

Don't judge each day by the harvest you reap but by the seeds that you plant.

~ Robert Louis Stevenson

If you have  a question or comment Contact us.
Your GlobalLight Projects Team
Thomas, Wayde, Peter, Marilyn & Doug

November '11 Newsletter

The GlobalLight Projects team has been busy planning for our 2012 project. The recognition and encouragement we have received from having completed our second solar installation this past summer are pointing us in new directions. There is the possibility of electrifying a  third school if sufficient funds can be raised. We are also seriously looking at continuing to build up the educational capacity of the two schools we have worked on because the point of what we are doing is not simply to provide electricity but to help more children get into secondary school and therefore have a better chance of being community leaders and making a difference in their own world. We're not ready to announce details yet, but we are working and we are excited!

You can see additional pictures of this year's work, along with some background material here.

We are so grateful to all those who have helped GlobalLight Projects get this far. You have made a difference. We would be so pleased for you to join us in the 2012 project. Some folks have decided to give the gift of light - we would be happy to send you a card to give to someone indicating you have made a gift in their honour. Just email us at the link below. Gifts may be made online or by mailing a cheque made out to Royal View Church with the notation GlobalLight Projects to Wayde Foss, 4 McManus Pl., London, ON N5V 4X2. Donations over $10 will receive a tax deductible receipt. Thank you!

If you have  a question or comment Contact us.

We can throw stones, complain about them, stumble on them, climb over them, or build with them.
~William Arthur Ward

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

November '09 Newsletter

Remember

This month is the time to specifically remember those who fought and died for our country. Certainly, they should never be forgotten. But, it seems that our culture has collective amnesia - forgetting so many lessons of the past. This past year's economic recession reminded us of previous periods of hardship and sometimes prompted the comment that maybe we will act differently in the future. But, no. We're pretty much back to focusing on our immediate prosperity and comfort.

Recently, news shows have featured an "expert" talking about the likelihood of people being able to live indefinitely within the next 20 years. Someone has said that the first person to live 1000 years is probably already alive. This supposedly will occur because of genetic and technological breakthroughs, where little nano-bots will run around inside us, fixing what ails us. Nice idea - for the lucky few of us who live in the developed world. What about those who live now where a child dies every 6 seconds from hunger. Where a baby born today will not expect to see her 40th birthday. Where children do not attend school because they must carry water and gather firewood. It seems it is convenient to forget them.

Presentation


The GlobalLight Projects team is grateful to Trinity Lutheran Church, London, ON and FaithLife Financial for their generous support. Together, they offered to match funds we raised, up to $500. Happily, we exceeded that goal during the specified period and recently, Heather Ellis on behalf of Trinity Lutheran Church presented their cheque to Thomas and Peter.

We would be delighted if you or your group also found a creative way or two to help make a difference for a whole village in Zambia. Contact us with your ideas, suggestions or questions.

Zambian-Canadian Dinner

In October, GlobalLight Projects was honoured to accept an invitation to the annual Independence Day dinner of the Zambian-Canadian Foundation. The theme of the evening was "Giving Back to the Motherland." Representatives of several organizations presented what they were attempting to achieve for the betterment of Zambia and its people. Although GlobalLight Projects has a global mandate, Thomas and his wife, Albina were born in Zambia and the first GlobalLight Projects installation will be in southern Zambia.

GlobalLight Projects was well received by those in attendance, and we made many new friends. It is inspiring to see what Canadians can do for others.

'Tis the Season

Still looking for the perfect gift? How about a gift to the children in Chona, Zambia? Unlike some, we don't have a catalogue where you can buy a goat or some chickens. But your donation of $25, $50 or $100 will purchase a needed part of the solar installation to light up a school and give the whole community a new resource. If you would like to make your donation in memory or in honour of someone, let us know and we will send an appropriate card. Don't get stressed out in a mall. Get the perfect gift right here!

Contact Us!

Don't hesitate to contact the GlobalLight Projects Team with your questions, comments, suggestions or to help arrange a demonstration of solar power and to talk about our vision and concept. Also, feel free to pass this newsletter on to someone who might be interested.

You must be the change you wish to see in the world.
~ Mahatma Gandhi

Your GlobalLight Projects Team

Marilyn, Wayde, Peter, Thomas & Doug

Let There Be Light!

GlobalLight Projects in the News

GlobalLight Projects is profiled in a recent article in The Times of Zambia. The article was written by CHASAYA SICHILIMA, who lives in London, Ontario and is the president of the Zambian Canadian Foundation. The article profiles several agencies in Canada that are dedicated to helping the people of Zambia. As a new organization whose first project is set for a village in southern Zambia, we are pleased to receive such notice. Now, we can't disappoint the people of Zambia!

Read the entire article.