WakaWaka: Solar for Syria campaign
In 2013, when I was hub curator (community leader) of World Economic Forum Global Shapers in The Netherlands, I initiated an endorsement campaign in support of WakaWaka’s Solar for Syria initiative. After mobilizing 13 other city hubs to join (from every continent around the world), we all tapped into our networks to engage global, national and local role models and leaders, to jointly draw attention to the Syrian refugee crisis. In doing so, we offered a simple perspective for action to all people, including those who no longer follow the news about Syria: buy a WakaWaka solar device, and one will be donated to people in Syrian refugee camps.
At the time, many people were unaware that the UN had stated that the displacement of millions of Syrian refugees was the worst crisis since Rwanda. In addition, a campaign was launched for victims of the typhoon that hit the The Philippines (Solar for Philippines).
Nobel Peace Prize laureates join
When I approached the team of the late Kofi Annan, the seventh UN Secretary General and also a Nobel Peace Prize laureate, he quickly decided to be among the first movers. With the support of the hub in Johannesburg, and social entrepreneur Olivier vanden Eynde, we were also able to engage the Honorable Archbishop and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Desmond Tutu. Dozens of visible leaders and artists from across the countries of the many hubs, that were engaged, joined soon after.
About WakaWaka
WakaWaka is an award-winning social enterprise that develops, manufactures and markets the world’s most efficient solar lamps and chargers. Its mission is to share the abundant power of the sun with more than a billion people worldwide who don’t have the luxury of a light switch and another billion who don’t have reliable access. Through its line of safe, sustainable and clean solar products, WakaWaka (which means “shine bright” in Swahili) provides an abundant and reliable alternative to kerosene. Kerosene, the most frequently used substitute for those living without access to electricity, comes at a high cost to public health: it is highly flammable, toxic and associated with a host of serious health problems.
To date, WakaWaka’s products have empowered more than a million people, boosting family and community health, and providing families with longer productive hours during which to work, study, eat and pray.
I’ve been a supporter and early crowdfunder of WakaWaka since its early days. To learn more, check out their website!
“I wouldn’t even exaggerate if I were to name Paulette the Koh-I-Noor of intelligent, skillful, trustworthy, passionate, accurate, resourceful, kind, friendly and inspiring people that one might ever work with. I say this without hesitation, and after over 35 years of experience working with people.”
Photo credit, picture of Archbishop Desmond Tutu: Benny Gool