Brighten the Future of Gaza's Children

Help send solar-powered lanterns and charging systems through the blockade to children in Gaza, so they can study and play safely when the power is out. Both Little Sun TM and Luci Light TM are offering a 2-for-1 matching grant to send twice as many lights to Gaza. A solar system designed by a Gaza engineer, SunBox, can charge a phone, small-laptop, refrigerator or TV, and connect households to the internet. Help empower Gaza's next generation, open the blockade, and bring hope to all.

Problem:

11 years of blockade on Gaza has resulted in widespread darkness with power only recently available for 12hrs/day, rolling blackouts. 750,000 children are affected by electricity shortages and are forced to use kerosene lamps and candles, sometimes with horrific accidents. Life is put on hold when the sun goes down - studying is difficult and playing is unsafe. Imagine being a student and not having light to finish your homework, or a little child without a nightlight. Solar lights change this.

Short-term solution:

With your help, we are delivering thousands of solar-powered lights to children in Gaza so they can read and study. Rebuilding Alliance has been working with Non Governmental Organizations in Gaza since 2003. Pre-clearance through both Palestinian and Israeli Customs is secured before shipment. To date, we have sent 35,600 solar-powered lights. Help reach our bold goal of sending 20,000 more solar lights in 2019 to Gaza's children in need.

Long-term impact:

Sending a little light is a first step, a small way to let Palestinian children know that you care what happens to them, about their future, a way to open a door. In Gaza, there's a special tradition during Ramadan to give children a 'fanous' lantern to help them realize their own light within. Help extend that tradition to people the world over. Please shine a light in your window on Wednesdays, share on social media #ItsTimeForLight, and reply to messages from Gaza students and families too.

Imagine each evening as the sun sets being plunged into unending darkness. With power only available for up to 12 hours a day, light remains a vital and scarce resource in Gaza. What this means for Gazan children is less light to read and play, for Gaza’s disabled, less light to navigate and live in safety, and for everyday families, less light to cook, gather and live in dignity. Children are overwhelmingly affected by this reality, with 750,000 experiencing electricity shortages, forced to rely on kerosene lamps and candles, instead of safe alternatives. 

With your help, we have delivered thousands of solar-powered lights to children and families in need in Gaza. 

How do we do it?  Rebuilding Alliance works with Lausanne Trade Consultants to secure pre-clearance by Israel and Palestinian customs for transport and delivery through Israeli ports and then by trucks to the border with Gaza.

We deliver the lights to four partner non-governmental organizations (NGO’s) in Gaza who have, to date, distributed 35,600 personal solar lights (both Luci Lights and Little Suns) to families in need. Together with our partners on the ground, we have also installed ten Sunbox home solar systems, designed by Gazan engineer Majd Mashharawi [listen to her TedTalk ‘How I'm making bricks out of ashes and rubble in Gaza here], which can charge a phone, small-laptop, refrigerator or TV, and connect households to the internet. 

"She was so introverted because of her inability to see at night. Now, it's like she has night-eyes — she can go visit her cousins and play." Women Program Center Director, Najah Ayash about a little girl in the second grade named Maram who suffers from Nyctalopia.

Watch Palestinian NGO, Al Basma Club for the Disabled, lead distribution for Ramadan.

Your donations have  bring light to Gaza. As of 2020, over 2000 donors helped us raise more than $200,000 to distribute 35,000 Luci Lights, Little Suns, and 10 Sunboxes in Gaza, under blockade. 

Because a world with more light brings hope to all.