In the 21st century, having access to electric lighting at night may seem like something that can be taken for granted. But in Haiti it is often out of reach. This particularly affects the most vulnerable members of society, especially Haiti's women and girls. That's where AFADLA's Girls' Lamp Project comes in.
We believe that access to lighting is not only a necessity, but has become an important tool for the development of any society. In Haiti, where political and social instability continues to degrade our visibility every day, innovative solutions have become more valuable.
One of these solutions is to use solar energy to produce electricity, a natural resource that can contribute greatly to improving the living conditions of citizens. This would allow people to use more electronic devices, improve their work efficiency, and most importantly, provide lighting to facilitate activities at night, which could create new opportunities for businesses and enhance women's safety.
Without electricity, many basic services such as education, health care, and communication will become more difficult. This contributes to increasing poverty in many areas of the country. Haiti, at this time, is living with blackouts that continue to spread throughout its cities. This situation prevents people from accessing basic needs, such as lighting for work, study, and even to protect themselves in the most insecure areas.
In the city of Jacmel, where AFADLA has a presence, the situation is quite serious. The city does not have regular electricity to facilitate functioning at night. Even girls in our neighborhood in the semi-rural area of Lafon do not feel safe to walk at night. What is more discouraging is that the blackout situation creates additional problems such as an increase in crimes against women and girls.
Girls are the greatest victims, as they become more vulnerable to sexual and other forms of violence. Sometimes even babies are put in danger as they travel with their mothers. Children, especially those living in the dark, often cannot meet academic requirements. When they do not have enough light to study or prepare their homework, this has a direct impact on their performance and their future. It is a cycle that makes it harder for them to succeed in education, and can lead them to a hopeless future.
AFADLA cannot fail to act. We believe that every child deserves a brighter future. That is why we have taken the initiative to provide the children who are members of AFADLA with a practical solution: solar lamps. These lamps, which use solar energy to recharge their batteries, will provide clean lighting at night. These lamps will help them in their studies, help them feel safe, and allow them more opportunities to develop their talents.
And there is more than that: the use of solar energy contributes directly to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, which involves out community in the worldwide effort to save our planet.
That is why we have adopted a plan to provide 200 solar lamps for 200 children living in the most difficult conditions. Each lamp is a point of light in a suffering world, a point of hope for their families, and a tool in the fight against insecurity and poverty.
We are constantly amazed to see how a small action can have a big impact. When we give children the tools to shine at night, we are not only giving them light, but we are giving them a brighter future. This is not just a project, it is an investment in the future of our country.
––Fabienne Lerine
President, Women's Association for the Development of Lafon
(Translated by Michael Dylan Rogers)
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