Public urged to join Gift of Light campaign for festive season

Innovations from a range of Philips solutions developed specifically for semi-urban and rural communities include solar powered home lighting systems and a unique fan-driven cook stove, all designed to create a safer and healthier home environment.

"This festive season, Philips is encouraging all South Africans to remember those less fortunate among us and participate in our campaign by providing one of our innovations to communities that lack even basic infrastructure. Individuals or corporates can make a meaningful difference and improve the lives of a family based in Southern or East Africa," says Christoph Castellaz, Head of Strategy and New Business Development, Philips Africa.

What difference can solar-powered lighting make?

An estimated 560 million Africans live without electricity, relying instead on the flickering light of a candle or kerosene lamp, both far from safe. In addition, kerosene has associated health risks, is expensive given its link to oil prices, and the light output of kerosene lanterns is so low as to make visibility almost impossible.

Philips' three domestic solar lighting solutions ensure that communities remain active and economically viable after sunset. These portable solar solutions are up to 10 times brighter than any kerosene lamp and provide up to 20 hours of light after a single day of charging.

An environmentally friendly way to reduce the health risks of indoor cooking

Worldwide, 2.6 billion people depend on traditional cook stoves or open fires for cooking and heating their homes (World Energy Outlook 2012). In sub-Saharan Africa, according to an article published on African Clean Energy, over 80%, or nearly 728 million people, depend on solid fuels such as charcoal and firewood for cooking.

The associated health and environmental risks are considerable - each week, 75,000 people, mostly women and children, get sick or die as a direct result of inhaling smoke; while each day, 3.9 million tons of fuel wood are burnt, contributing to the daily loss of 200 km² of forest (Global Forest Resources Assessment).

The Philips fan-driven cook stove has the lowest smoke emissions of any stove on the market and can reduce smoke and carbon monoxide emissions by more than 90% compared to an open fire, significantly reducing the health risks of indoor cooking.

Made of high quality, long-lasting stainless steel, the cook stove uses wood or other biomass for cooking in a healthy, environmentally friendly and fuel-efficient manner.

To donate, log on to www.yourgiftoflight.com and encourage more participation through Facebook or Twitter.