International Women’s Day 2024

This International Women’s Day, we are celebrating the power and potential of  women to create a brighter future for people and the planet.

We’ve met young girls who are currently watching their dreams slip away as they fail to study due to lack of light. We’ve met women who have struggled to create a thriving business as they had to close when the sun set due to lack of light. We’ve even met mothers who have had to give birth in the dark as the clinic didn’t have light.

Lack of access to light is a burden that disproportionately affects women – limiting opportunities, jeopardising safety and stealing valuable working hours. 

The good news is that there is a simple solution – a small solar light.

Eness is putting hersolar light on the roof of her house to charge it in the sun light.

A Sense of Independence

Eness Naliwa struggled to feed her family with the small amount she made from her businesses. When solar came to her village, everything changed.

Fabriola uses her solar light to read at night

A world of possibility

Fabriola’s bright smile lights up room as she speaks about how life has changed since her school received a Light Library. Her hopes and dreams are illuminated.

No more fear

With access to clean, safe light in the evening, Kesilina no longer has to choose between darkness and dangerous sources of light. With the flick of a switch, there is a sense of safety knowing that she can see what is in and around her home.

"The day the light was switched on, I felt so good in my heart because I was able to see everything. Even if a bug was moving there, it was seen. Even outside it was bright like day but it was night."
Kesilina Chiwoza, Malawi

Sundreya Mayi Wala group dance during one of their group meetings. SolarAid/Haley Withers.

The Power in Togetherness

There is power when women come together. Mayi Walas, Margret and Sagurani, know this first hand. From creating thriving sustainable businesses to building relationships with other women in the community, solar lights change everything.

The Last Baby to Be Born in the Dark

About 75% of health clinics in sub- Saharan Africa lack access to reliable electricity. Mtimabii Health Clinic in Mangochi, rural Malawi was one of these. But those dark nights are now a thing of the past at Mtimabii and Baby Diana is the last baby will be born in the dark.

A future nurse

Rhoda watched her dreams of becoming a nurse slip away as she struggled to study in the evening. When her school received a Light Library, everything changed.

The Holly Family Mayi Walas group celebrate beinging light to local communities.

Fabriola is thriving in school now that she is able to study at night. Book Aid International/SolarAid/Chris Gagnon.

A solar secret

Ambitious and determined Margret is a business woman through and through, selling and growing vegetables and Mandasi. When the opportunity to expand her business to sell solar lights came to her village she didn’t hesitate to jump right in.

Olivia is sitting on a hospital bed, smiling.

A sense of calm

Olivia spent her first pregnancy worried about how her unborn baby was, but everything changed when her clinic received light.

Hope for a brighter future

Liness’s business was struggling, making it difficult to support her family. An opportunity to join the Mayi Walas came to her village and changed her life.