With all of the great organizations you can support on Giving Tuesday, I’d like to make a pitch for an organization that has made a huge impact on people, literally around the world, including myself.
If you haven’t heard, #GivingTuesday is a movement that began in 2012. The concept is simple. Give. Think you don’t have anything to give? How about a smile? Pay someone a compliment. Volunteer. There are limitless ways for you to participate.
Donating to a worthy charitable organization is another popular way to participate. It doesn’t have to be a substantial contribution. The way you celebrate this selfless day is personal and unique to every participant. But if you were looking for an organization to support, I’d like to share one with you that is near and dear to my heart.
Kilowatts for Humanity
The Mission
So what does Kilowatts for Humanity (KWH) do? KWH’s Mission according kilowattsforhumanity.org is:
To improve people’s lives by providing access to electricity and fostering the development of sustainable businesses. Our volunteers offer mentorship and resources to empower less economically developed communities for lasting change.
-Kilowatts for Humanity
For good reason, the statement is focused on the organization’s benefits to the communities that are empowered by KWH’s projects. They definitely hit the mark on that, but the impact is even deeper. We’ll get into that later.
About KWH
Since 2009, the Founders of KWH have been focusing on and executing their Mission. Over the years they have supported off-grid electrification projects in energy impoverished communities around the globe.
Zambia
One of the co-founders of KWH, Dr. Henry Louie, was a Fulbright Scholar at Copperbelt University in Kitwe, Zambia. In part, due to Dr. Louie’s personal connection to the region many of the capstone projects over the years have been located there.
The Solar Kiosk
Every year KWH commissions what they call “solar kiosks” in a selected community. While the power plants aren’t massive, the impact certainly is.
A Little Power Goes a Long Way
The kiosks are powered with systems that are typically in the 5kW range. This is about half the size that would be required to power a typical American household. But a little bit of power goes a long way.
Many people in the communities where the Kiosks are built walk hours just to charge their cell phones. And once they make it to a charging station they then have to pay up. Providing a local charging option can add an entire day to a person’s week. And just imagine the joy of a cold beverage in a hot climate where refrigeration is uncommon.
The concept begins by canvasing the partner communities to determine how to maximize the impact of the solar power plant. Surveys are collected to help determine how the solar kiosk can not only charge phones and keep drinks cold, but to create economic opportunity as well.
Fostering the Development of Sustainable Business
In a place where electricity is hard to come by the opportunities to turn a solar power plant into an economic engine are endless. From selling cold beverages and preserving their catch of the day in refrigerators, building a barber shop to simply incubating eggs. The work provided by solar power can make a substantial local economic impact.
The economic impact doesn’t end there. Once these kiosks are designed by KWH volunteers they find contractors from the local community to build the project.
Micro Grid Consulting
In addition to the annual capstone project, KWH consults with other non-profits, including Engineers Without Borders, on their projects. With expertise in micro grids and solar power generation their skills are often sought after to help electrify projects like off-grid medical clinics in Sierra Leone and school facilities in Uganda.
The Local Impact
While the focus of this organization is on the communities it serves, the impact is felt locally as well. KWH gives volunteers an opportunity to learn from each other and sharpen their skills while providing a valuable service at the same time. And like any organization where people come together in support of a common cause community is built within the group as well.
I joined KWH with my father in 2018. After I read about KWH I excitedly told him all about it and he helped encourage me to start volunteering. We started going to meetings together and it’s pretty cool I get to share this with him.
Your Donation Counts!
As you can see, KWH is an amazing organization with truly global impact. But to sustain a non profit takes donations from generous people like you. Perhaps on Giving Tuesday?
Join the conversation! Ask us questions!