Double the Lamps, Double the Light!

Winter Park, FL

About Me: My name is Carter Hasbrook and my friends Alik Alfus, Matty Ryan and I are trying to bring light to Haiti during this holiday season. We are all seniors at Rollins College and wanted to support a cause that we really felt passionate about and what better than the gift of light. Light is a facet of life that we often take for granted, but for the people of Haiti it is a powerful source of safety. Providing solar lights to Haiti camps will immediately elevate their level of security and well being. In addition, it will stand as a step in the rebuilding of an efficient and sustainable Haiti.

The earthquake in Haiti has displaced hundreds of thousands of people, many of whom now live huddled together under tarps and tents. Nearly five months after the earthquake, streetlights remain in disrepair and the electrical grid is without much power. The lack of lighting in housing camps exacerbates an already fragile security situation. Women in these camps feel unsafe walking at night, as rape and incidents of physical abuse are rising in number. Community groups in these areas-- labeled “red zones” by international groups shortly after the earthquake-- are only now being approached by relief organizations to improve aid distribution and post-earthquake reconstruction. Citizen Effect is working with Earthspark International to distribute solar-powered lamps to women in these camps, harnessing local community groups to prioritize distribution to those most in need. The initiative focuses on camps located in Cité Soleil, one of the poorest slums in Port-au-Prince and a red zone in which more than half the population feels unsafe at night. Providing adequate lighting for the women of Cité Soleil and greater Port-au-Prince will make it safer for them to travel at night by reducing the possibility of physical abuse from nightly attackers. In addition, female survivors of the earthquake to can be empowered to organize patrols to protect themselves and their families with light from their solar lamps. Carter is committed to helping the women of Cité Soliel by providing them with the ability to read, work, and conduct activities after sunset with safety and comfort. Carter has pledged to provide 60 solar powered lamps to women in need. As one of the camp residents, Madame Pierre, related to EarthSpark: “The lamp is very useful. I use it when I need to go out at night.” Donate to Carter's project today and help provide 60 women of Port-au-Prince with a clean and reliable source of light and power.

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