UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon Praises Sustainable Solar Light Bottles Used by Estonian NonProfit Andakidz in Philippines

TALLINN, Estonia, Dec. 5, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Estonian non-profit organisation Andakidz (www.andakidz.org) is installing 2,000 solar bottle lights on the island of Bohol in The Philippines, recently epicentre of the largest earthquake in 2013 and also affected by the super typhoon Haiyan.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20131205/PH28103-a)
(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20131205/PH28103-b)
 

Director of the Development Cooperation and Humanitarian Aid Division of the Estonian Foreign Ministry, Mrs Kaili Terras said, " The Committee of Estonian Development Cooperation chose to support this development aid project not just because of the innovation involved but also because it's a great example of sustainable and environmentally friendly technology. UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon, who recently visited Estonia, addressed the subject of sustainable energy and in fact highlighted the same solar light bottles in his public speech on Nov 16. We are very pleased, that Estonian non-profit Andakidz is bringing solar light to thousand of people in the Philippines which recently suffered major natural disasters".

Ban Ki Moons speech transcript - http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs/2013/sgsm15472.doc.htm

According to Robin Gurney, project director, "On Bohol, poor families live in very small and 'dark' homes. These simple, cheap up-cycled solar light bottles will bring light to thousands of people with no opportunity to use electricity."

The simple principle of a light bottle was invented by Brazilian, Alfred Moser in 2002. A recycled plastic bottle is filled with water, a little bleach is added to keep the water clean. A hole is cut in the corrugated metal roofing and the bottle is inserted and sealed. Sunlight is amplified and spreads through the room. It produces 40-60 watts. The solar light bottles are manufactured and installed by local partners on Bohol. 90% will be installed into poor people's homes, the rest to schools and micro-businesses. See video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o-Fpsw_yYPg

Robin Gurney claimed, "Free solar light significantly improves the situation of local women, who otherwise would spend a large proportion of the day doing house work in dark rooms. It also improves children's learning and playing conditions."

The main funder of this project is the Estonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, providing 25,000 euros. Additional funds are invited from private and corporate donors.

Andakidz's main Filipino project partner, the internationally acclaimed MyShelter Foundation (www.aliteroflight.org), is responsible for global expansion of the technology.

Illac Diaz, the founder of MyShelter Foundation said, "Andakidz's Liter of Light, Bohol project is fantastic and we are right behind them, helping how we can, to bring solar light to the people of Bohol. Andakidz is very active, creative and committed. We also applaud the Estonian government for their support. It shows great foresight and recognition of the growing importance of using sustainable technologies in development aid programs."

Andakidz MTU is a European non-profit organisation registered in Estonia. It's mission is to improve the lives of poor children in and around Anda, Bohol, The Philippines.

Contact:

Robin Gurney
Director
Andakidz MTU
Phone: +63 905 417 6197
- Philippines GMT+8
Email
www.andakidz.org
www.facebook.com/andakidz

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SOURCE Andakidz