John,

In South Sudan, where the sun shines so hot that temperatures regularly reach 40°C, nearly 11 million people live in complete darkness after dusk. That is except for the kerosene lamps being used that emit toxic fumes equivalent to smoking 40 cigarettes a day.

The crisis is so acute there that respiratory illnesses, like pneumonia, are the biggest killer of children under five.

But there's a simple solution: solar lights.

We're working with an amazing community-led partner who is racing to bring light to six villages and give thousands a chance before they're driven further into darkness -- and you can help. A solar light costs $20 and lasts for 5-10 years. If all of us chip in, we could make it happen quickly, with no red tape.

They won’t start installing until they raise enough funds to light every home in a village, so no one is left out.

Can you help bring light to a village in South Sudan -- and help us carry on the work of empowering communities everywhere?

I'll donate $3I'll donate $4 I'll donate $5I'll donate $9I'll donate another amount

Without electricity, once the sun sets children can’t study, farmers can’t finish chores, and the entire community is forced to shut down.

South Sudan is a young country under enormous strain from economic crisis, warring political factions, and a rapidly growing population of refugees fleeing the ongoing civil war in Sudan. Despite all efforts to build the necessary infrastructure, only about 7% of its population can access electricity -- and the cost is among the highest in the world.

The available alternative exposes everyone to a dangerous amount of black carbon fumes. A single kerosene lamp emits up to one tonne of carbon over five years! 

Not to mention it's incredibly expensive. Households can save as much as 30% of their income by switching to solar light; and because there are no carbon emissions, people live healthier lives for longer. 

Already, Solar Links with local community based organisations, have brought light to more than 15,000 homes, schools and health clinics in Uganda, South Sudan and Burundi -- transforming entire communities one by one. Our donations before helped power two villages in Uganda, bringing light to over 1000 families! Now if enough of us donate, even a little, we could do it again in South Sudan -- and find more stories like this. 

It's rare when a single donation can make such a huge difference almost instantaneously. Can you help forever transform a village?

I'll donate $3I'll donate $4 I'll donate $5I'll donate $9I'll donate another amount

A beautiful thing about this project is that the impact reaches far beyond an individual home. Members of the community are trained as engineers and families contribute a small amount towards the cost of new projects in the following year for neighbouring communities, so they can keep the technology working indefinitely and carry forward the mission of empowering others. 

Your donation will help power Ekō and our campaigns worldwide fighting for people and the planet. Are you in?