Bomba Village in Belize Lit by Solar Powered LED Lights

Grid Earth otherwise known as GEAR recently brought solar powered LED lights to light up the village of Bomba in Belize. GEAR, an Austin Texas based organization, has a mission to fulfill, i.e. elimination of kerosene and other fossil fuels and replacing them by renewable Solar LED light technology and thereby aiding the economy.

Prior to this the people of Bomba and the others in the surrounding areas had used kerosene at night to read by. Kerosene being a highly noxious and inefficient flammable fuel could cause a number of ailments and even death due to burns, suffocation and fires. Illness and death were common because of indoor air pollution, especially respiratory infections, pneumonia and influenza were prevalent in these developing nations. Statistics reveal that exposure to kerosene has killed more than one million people every year, out of which 60% were under 14.

GEAR supplied 50 solar lights, which were sufficient to light up every household in Bomba. These lights include small solar panels, which could either be installed on the roof or at a window and charge the LED lamp of size 45. This lamp could light up a room having dimensions of 10 square feet and would be charged all thorough the day and provide 10 hours of use at night if kept in  the low setting. If it’s set at the high, then 5 hours of light would emanate from it. The lamps would have a long lasting life and the average lifespan is said to be two years and it would also provide 75% savings when compared to Kerosene.

GEAR also has plans of purchasing the products created by the skilled craftsmen in Bomba and selling them in the US and worldwide and thus further boosting the village’s economy. The sales of their craft articles would fund another village in Belize and provide them solar LED lamps and thus the cycle goes on. GEAR also plans to help in maintaining the lights and continue the economic development of the village of Bomba.