A Nigerian foundation that converted plastic and e-waste to light up refugee communities and underserved regions across Africa has won a Dh500,000 award in Sharjah.
LightEd Impact Foundation was selected from over 527 candidates from 53 countries for the eighth Sharjah International Award for Refugee Advocacy and Support.
Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Ruler of Sharjah, handed over the prize to LightEd Impact's co-founder Stanley Anigbogu at a ceremony held at Sharjah Research Technology and Innovation Park on Wednesday.
The award, sponsored by The Big Heart Foundation, recognised LightEd's innovative way of repurposing electronic and plastic waste to create portable solar lamps and electric charging stations. It benefitted more than 50,000 underserved African households and helped reduce the use of harmful kerosene by 70 per cent.
“Our work is driven by the belief that when we light up a home, we light up a future,” Mr Anigbogu told The National.
The foundation has so far provided solar lamps for 25,000 students and trained over 2,000 community members in solar technology installation and maintenance.
“When we empower a child with knowledge, we empower a generation. I’m thrilled knowing that we are providing light to those in darkness for a better future,” Mr Anigbogu added.
The award will go towards funding the foundation's next project of “transforming plastic waste into bricks to build solar-powered charging stations for phones”.
And they hope to reach “a million refugees” within “the next five years … It is going to be a very long journey but we dare to dream big”.
How is energy access linked to education
The 24-year-old energy expert, who grew up in Onitsha, Nigeria, experienced the struggles of “energy poverty” growing up when all he had access to was a kerosene lamp or a candle in his home.
“I realised how deeply energy access is connected to education, health and opportunity. In 2021, I started the initiative with $200 by transferring e-waste into solar light,” he added.
“My journey has been filled with moments of profound joy such as watching a child’s face light up with the first glow of clean energy, seeing a mother’s relief as she charges a phone to stay connected to loved ones.”
The foundation has also contributed towards improving healthcare facilities in rural areas. They have used solar energy to power clinics, ensuring that vital services, including refrigeration for vaccines and medical supplies, are available even in the most remote locations.
“These efforts are critical in areas where healthcare delivery has been hampered by the lack of electricity,” he noted.
Mariam Al Hammadi, director general of The Big Heart Foundation, said the humanitarian action has a vital role in overcoming global challenges.
LightEd “has established solar energy stations in remote areas, providing refugee children the opportunity to continue their education and acquire essential skills. It also contributed to establishing safety and security standards, leading to a reduction in various forms of crime, including theft, murder, harassment, and rape”, she said in her speech.
“Our ultimate hope is that this award will no longer be necessary one day. We dream of a world without refugees, where wars in Palestine, Sudan, Lebanon, Yemen, and other nations cease, and where peace prevails,” she added.
“Despite the difficult circumstances in Gaza today, we remain confident that the strength of hope will spark countless initiatives, rallying hundreds and thousands of hands to overcome this crisis.”
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Starring: Bruce Willis, Toni Collette, Hayley Joel Osment
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The biog
Fatima Al Darmaki is an Emirati widow with three children
She has received 46 certificates of appreciation and excellence throughout her career
She won the 'ideal mother' category at the Minister of Interior Awards for Excellence
Her favourite food is Harees, a slow-cooked porridge-like dish made from boiled wheat berries mixed with chicken
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One in nine do not have enough to eat
Created in 1961, the World Food Programme is pledged to fight hunger worldwide as well as providing emergency food assistance in a crisis.
One of the organisation’s goals is the Zero Hunger Pledge, adopted by the international community in 2015 as one of the 17 Sustainable Goals for Sustainable Development, to end world hunger by 2030.
The WFP, a branch of the United Nations, is funded by voluntary donations from governments, businesses and private donations.
Almost two thirds of its operations currently take place in conflict zones, where it is calculated that people are more than three times likely to suffer from malnutrition than in peaceful countries.
It is currently estimated that one in nine people globally do not have enough to eat.
On any one day, the WFP estimates that it has 5,000 lorries, 20 ships and 70 aircraft on the move.
Outside emergencies, the WFP provides school meals to up to 25 million children in 63 countries, while working with communities to improve nutrition. Where possible, it buys supplies from developing countries to cut down transport cost and boost local economies.
Who's who in Yemen conflict
Houthis: Iran-backed rebels who occupy Sanaa and run unrecognised government
Yemeni government: Exiled government in Aden led by eight-member Presidential Leadership Council
Southern Transitional Council: Faction in Yemeni government that seeks autonomy for the south
Habrish 'rebels': Tribal-backed forces feuding with STC over control of oil in government territory
If you go
The flights Etihad (www.etihad.com) and Spice Jet (www.spicejet.com) fly direct from Abu Dhabi and Dubai to Pune respectively from Dh1,000 return including taxes. Pune airport is 90 minutes away by road.
The hotels A stay at Atmantan Wellness Resort (www.atmantan.com) costs from Rs24,000 (Dh1,235) per night, including taxes, consultations, meals and a treatment package.
Pox that threatens the Middle East's native species
Camelpox
Caused by a virus related to the one that causes human smallpox, camelpox typically causes fever, swelling of lymph nodes and skin lesions in camels aged over three, but the animal usually recovers after a month or so. Younger animals may develop a more acute form that causes internal lesions and diarrhoea, and is often fatal, especially when secondary infections result. It is found across the Middle East as well as in parts of Asia, Africa, Russia and India.
Falconpox
Falconpox can cause a variety of types of lesions, which can affect, for example, the eyelids, feet and the areas above and below the beak. It is a problem among captive falcons and is one of many types of avian pox or avipox diseases that together affect dozens of bird species across the world. Among the other forms are pigeonpox, turkeypox, starlingpox and canarypox. Avipox viruses are spread by mosquitoes and direct bird-to-bird contact.
Houbarapox
Houbarapox is, like falconpox, one of the many forms of avipox diseases. It exists in various forms, with a type that causes skin lesions being least likely to result in death. Other forms cause more severe lesions, including internal lesions, and are more likely to kill the bird, often because secondary infections develop. This summer the CVRL reported an outbreak of pox in houbaras after rains in spring led to an increase in mosquito numbers.
The years Ramadan fell in May
UAE Team Emirates
Valerio Conti (ITA)
Alessandro Covi (ITA)
Joe Dombrowski (USA)
Davide Formolo (ITA)
Fernando Gaviria (COL)
Sebastian Molano (COL)
Maximiliano Richeze (ARG)
Diego Ulissi (ITAS)
