Light Up Kotu

Imagine a world where there is no switch to flick on for light.

Imagine a world where at night the choice is to sit in the dark or burn candles that are both costly and dangerous.

Imagine a world where to have light may result in your children getting burned and long term may cause you breathing and sight problems.

Imagine how scary the world would be without access to light.

We take being able to flick a switch for granted, it’s our basic human right.

However, this is not the case for many Gambian communities, and especially for the community at Kotusilo.

The choice they face each night is to either purchase candles with money they cannot afford to spend which also puts their children at risk or sit in the dark.

Through the ‘Light up Kotu’ project we address this issue by providing solar lights to the community at Kotusilo. Under the management of Mary Jabang, the ‘Light up Kotu’ project enables the community to rent solar lights at a fraction of the price of a candle. The money raised is then used to purchase more solar lights which are then rented out. For every solar light that the community raise money to buy Project Gambia provides another 3.

One small solar light can change everything. No more sitting in the dark. No more dangerous candles. With hours of light in the evening families are telling us that the lamps make a huge difference to their lives. Not only do they feel safer but their children are able to study. One small lamp can transform the life of a family.

If you would like to help change the life of a family in Kotusilo for a £15 donation you can purchase a lamp.