COVID-19 and the continuous help needed in developing countries

COVID-19 has caused a destructive situation in every part of the world. With COVID-19 we are back at the worst recession since the Second World War, which comes with the biggest drop in income since 1870 worldwide. The United Nations’ (UN) annual report of 2020, says that “approximately 100 million more people could be pushed into extreme poverty” [1]. Meaning, more people won’t be able to afford safe and sustainable light and energy. This is something we as WakaWaka want to do something about.

That is why we are happy to tell you that at the moment many WakaWaka’s are on their way to be distributed in Senegal, Honduras, Uganda, Rwanda, and Zimbabwe. But to make sure the non-profit sector continues to grow, even during COVID-19, action is needed. Progression is needed in these though times and standing still is not an option.

 

As we struggle with the effects of COVID-19, we have the opportunity to work on a more equal world. But how do we as WakaWaka want to achieve this? By focusing on 4 sustainable goals.

The United Nations has  17 development goals, which you can find here. WakaWaka is focused on 4 of the 17 development goals, namely number 4: Quality Education, number 5: Gender Equality, number 7: Affordable and Clean Energy and number 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth.

Quality Education

WakaWaka’s main goal is to provide safe and sustainable light so children can do their homework after sunset. Being able to spend more time on their homework leads to overall better results.  And this then leads to better future perspectives, which is crucial for building a stable economy.

Gender Equality

At WakaWaka we make no difference between men and women when it comes to the distribution of the solar lights. We believe everybody has the right to be treated the same and have the same future perspective. When women play an equal role in the economy of a country a country can develop better and faster.

Affordable and Clean Energy

Affordable energy is often dangerous and clean energy is often expensive and that is why it is so hard to provide light and energy to those with a low income. With the WakaWaka Power+, a power bank with a solar panel, several devices can be charged. Access to light and energy can have a positive effect on school results and overall productivity at work.

Decent Work and Economic Growth

This is a broader goal. This goal is possible when prioritizing the first three goals mentioned. By providing better quality education and focusing on gender equality, it is more likely to achieve an improvement in decent work and economic growth.

 

At the moment many WakaWaka’s are on their way to be distributed in countries that have struggled with natural disasters, been hit hard by COVID-19 or are experiencing structural poverty. Are you curious about what we exactly do? Visit our impact page. Do you want to join us in our mission to enable sustainable and safe energy and light for all? Then visit our donation page.

[1] United Nations (2021) The UN Annual Report