The BoGo Light: solar-powered poverty aid

It's ideas like the BoGo Light that make me think that the world might not be such a bleak place after all. A New York Times article - have you guessed what my favorite newspaper is yet? - featured it, and I have to say, it's a pretty brilliant idea.

The invention is essentially just a quality made solar-powered flashlight. But it's not just designed to reduce environmental impact - the idea is that for every flashlight bought, one is donated to people around the world who need it.

Two billion people living in the developing world rely on kerosene lanterns, candles, and single-use battery flashlights for light at night. Not only are these options expensive, dangerous, and harmful to the environment, they also negatively impact health, education, and security.

[...] The donated lights are distributed to needy individuals and families by organizations that are established and working in the developing world. These organizations include Feed The Children, Samaritan's Purse, UNHCR, and Invisible Children, as well as many other international assistance groups. Our lights have also been bulk purchased by multinational corporations such as Exxon Mobil and Perenco, as part of their community assistance programs.

Providing people with this basic amenity means more education, better health, safer living (especially for women and families), less energy consumed, and a cleaner environment - not bad. Bravo to Mark Bent and the creators of the BoGo Light for taking such a bold step at the intersection of environmental awareness and poverty relief. Buy one for yourself (think of how useful it could be) and think of the difference its donated counterpart could make for someone across the world.