Liter of Light Helps Illuminate Amazon Communities

The riverine communities of Médio Jurua now have access to low-cost, recycled and environmentally-friendly solar-powered lamps. With USAID/Brazil support, over 56 communities currently living off the country's energy grid, built and installed more than 600 lamps, made from PET bottles and LED lights.

Three thousand people in the Carauari, Amazonas State, have directly benefitted from the Liter of Light initiative. Previously, unsustainable and high-cost diesel generators that the community can afford to run for only a few hours have been the only energy option available.

 Liter of Light collaborated with the Association of Rural Producers of Carauari (ASPROC) to implement the project, and the Middle Juruá Territory Program provided funding. The Middle Juruá Territory Program is a partnership between USAID, its local implementer SITAWI Finance for Good, Coca-Cola, Natura, local governments and other institutions.

 Watch the video below to see how the communities got together to build the lamps and hear some of their stories:

 

 

More at: Remote communities in the Amazon region receive solar powered lamps made from recycled bottles