“We cannot hold a torch to light another’s path without brightening our own. ” ~Ben Sweetland
140 years ago, Thomas Edison sat in his industrial research lab in Menlo Park, New Jersey conducting experiments on what was to become his greatest invention — the lightbulb. Such a simple historical fact seems awfully trivial to us tech-babies living in a world of 3G internet connectivity with the power to tweet our deepest (or more often than not, superficial) reflections and inventions from the day… Or better yet remotely activate the tivo on our 52″ HD television from half a planet away.
We are a culture moving so warp-speed fast down the superhighway of technology towards better living, that often we forget to stop and smell the electrically flashing roses. Take a moment to pause from your multi-web browser surfing, turn-off the ipod blasting your favorite streaming podcast in the background. In fact, turn off the microwave heating your morning coffee, and the lights on your vanity mirror. Better yet turn off all the lights in your house. Sit here for a moment in the darkness, and imagine what your life would be like without all the insta-ammenities of modern electricity. Then reach for that light switch and thank your lucky stars.
The late great comedian George Carlin once joked: “When Thomas Edison worked late into the night on the electric light, he had to do it by gas lamp or candle. I’m sure it made the work seem that much more urgent.” At the very first public demonstration of his incandescent lightbulb, Edison himself famously remarked: “We will make electricity so cheap that only the rich will burn candles.”
The irony and the truth is that in this modern day and age, when most of us take such astounding miracles as electricity and light for granted, it is not the rich at all who still burn candles… but rather the poorest poor. There are many places in the world where people survive without any electricity, quite simply because they don’t have the means or resources to power a simple lightbulb. Places like Kenya, where many villagers cook and study by the smoke and light of kerosene and torch.
Now if you’ve ever lit a kerosene lamp or read by the flickering light of small fire, you know how quickly the romantic appeal of this smoky, smelly, eye-burning experience fades away. Now imagine sharing that one flickering lamp with your entire family. Imagine trying to finish your homework while fighting with your siblings for the last sphere of light. Imagine doing this night after night, the smoke burning lungs and eyes. The money so desperately needed for not nearly enough food to feed the family, all going to the high price of fuel and firewood. The importance of Edison’s invention, something as simple as a single light, can shine such a huge difference in improving people’s lives.
This basic idea struck Kenyan University student Evans Wadongo one day while experimenting with christmas lights in his dorm like… for lack of a better word… a lightbulb. Evans decided then and there that he would construct a cheap, utilitarian solar-powered lantern that could be used by any villager to light their home. With the help of a local artisan, he designed the MwangaBora — Swahili for “good light”.
Since the creation of his first MwangaBora, Evans Wadongo has dedicated his life to handbuilding and distributing these solar lamps to rural families throughout Kenya. At 23 years old, he has already delivered over 10,000 of these lamps… And all free of charge.
The youngest of four children, Wadongo grew up in a home that stressed education, but relied on kerosene and firelight. Years of exposure to smoke has left Evans with eyesight problems. But more then this, he understands how many young people drop out of school for reasons as simple as lack of light. As he says:
“I couldn’t compete effectively with other kids who had access to lighting. In every home in the village it was the same. Many children drop out of school for these reasons … so they remain poor for the rest of their life. All along I was asking myself if there is anything that can be done to improve this situation.”
Wadongo employs a small staff of volunteers who make a sustainable living off the small donations they receive to help pay for supplies and man hours. Wadongo himself works full-time with no pay, often eating only one meal a day so more money can go toward the project. The lamps are made almost entirely from recycled materials (recovered scrap metal, reused solar panels), with only the rechargeable batteries and wiring bought wholesale from China.
An idea so simple, implementing an invention so basic, and yet creating an impact of luminous proportions. Yet another example of how even the smallest things can spread so much light and love. And yet another everyday person, full of passion and heart, who is making a difference in the lives of his local community on a grand scale.
Just like that first electric flicker in Edison’s lightbulb, all change needs is a tiny spark. Thank you Evans Wadongo for being a lighthouse of inspiration, for lighting that spark.
(Much love to CNN Heroes for the link and the continuing wonderful showcase of positivity)
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