Great nonprofit that addresses so many issues with their programs: water access, health care, climate change, livelihoods, food security, sustainable development, gender equity, and others. Their projects change the future of the communities in which they work, so their impact is just huge. Those are the reasons I support SELF.
SELF is a genuinely wonderful organization. By bringing clean energy to people off the grid, by working with communities who are isolated and living life in an old fashioned way, SELF builds community by promoting health, education, and the community's basic needs. By so doing SELF helps to enhance the lives of the citizens of the communities it serves. Headquartered in Washington, DC, SELF promotes the best part of American values to the people of the world, thereby enhancing the reputation of this great nation.
I've been making monthly donations to SELF for over a decade. They're a relatively small non-profit that packs a big punch, greatly improving the lives of those served by their projects. I enjoy receiving regular updates about these projects, including photos of the communities benefiting from SELF's efforts. Can't recommend highly enough!
A donation to SELF gives way more than once--first, it funds micro-loans to let off-grid clients purchase solar lighting solutions. Second, the solar lighting displaces kerosine lighting whose smoke is toxic, especially to children. Third, the loan can be paid off with the funds saved on kerosine purchase, and afterwards that money is available for other discretionary purchases. And last, the donation translates into carbon offsets at about a ton per $10 donation for the donor.
I know SELF to be one of the very best providers of elec power in the world, bring elec power to individuals and villages that most surely gives them a foothold on raising then selves up from poverty.
I have worked with SELF for over two years and it is hands-down the best bang-for-the-buck organization I have ever encountered. From my own interactions with SELF's solar-powered drip irrigation project in northern Benin (http://www.self.org/benin.asp), I have witnessed SELF's ability to dramatically change lives on the ground, and to implement projects in a sustainable and culture-conscious manner. Additionally, on the home-front, SELF keeps expenses low and goes to great lengths to make sure as much money as possible is going to projects that help the world's poor secure energy services, and not to administrative costs.
To save the Humanity,Solar Electric Light as a source of renewable energy while honoring the integrity of indegenous cultures and respect the delicate balance of local and global ecosystem will realise our most desired improved health, education, agriculture, Industry and livelihood. Solar Electric Light will reduce carbon level in atmosphere simultaneously providing electric energy need of every house in a cost effective manner; including access to clean, disease-free water, producing organic pollution free vegetable (and thus access to pollution-free sustainable food);reading, writing and promote use of computer for education purpose.It will provide renewable energy to boost Agriculture production and productive by making the dead soil alive,besides greening the barren land to supplement crop production. Solar Energy Light will also open up new vistas for creating livelihood for millions of unemployed both in urban and rural areas.It will support building basic infrastructure especially in villages like street lighting,running of pumps for Agriculture and drinking water purpose and providing power to small scale village industries etc. It can be termed also as a life-support system contributing both to human peace and ecosystem peace- the ultimate need of the biosphere.
Just seeing, reading and knowing what they do helps motivate me to take my part and be a good citizen of our planet. Not only are they doing the good things to ensure the future, they are reaching out to all the people responsible as well- all inhabitants.
Solar Electric Light Fund is such an inspiring organization to me in that they are working with those in third world countries to not only help the environment, to better their lives, but to send the message of being a responsible earth resident by their example.
The Solar Electric Light Fund (SELF) is a great nonprofit organization that really cares about changing the world in a positive way, one light bulb at a time! They are really committed to raising awareness of our impact on this planet; and how we can go about making positive changes to reduce our carbon "footprint." All in all, a great organization with some really wonderful people.
The Solar Electric Light Fund (SELF) is a good nonprofit organization because it allows me to help two causes that I feel strongly about--the environment and people who live in poorly developed countries. SELF encourages us to do things, like using energy efficient light bulbs, that will be better for our environment. They also are working to provide those people living in poverty with a better standard of living.
I am a supporter of SELF because I believe in their mission to provide solar power and wireless communications to a quarter of the world’s population living in energy poverty. Acting as a catalyst, SELF provides technical and financial assistance to empower these people to change their lives. It is a sustainable way to change the well being and quality of life for those who need it most.
This fantastic organization brings clean, environmentally friendly solar energy to disadvantaged communities to help power schools, health clinics, agricultural projects, and villages in third-world nations around the globe. I am amazed at what they can do on such a small budget. But, with their dedicated and expert team, they have changed the lives of hundreds of thousands of people. Love their carbon offset program too! They rock!