These lamps, made by several Moroccan women’s cooperatives in Safi recognized by UNESCO, as well as by volunteers and young students, were installed in an artistic and unique way. They will be distributed for the benefit of the population living with little or no electricity in the area.
After the launch in Safi, the handmade solar lamps were presented at “Art of Egypt: Forever is Now II”, the second edition of the prestigious art exhibition at the Pyramids of Giza (October 27-November 30).
These lamps, which were unveiled by the brands “Liter of Light” and “Shems for Lighting” during the activities of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals Week, are the first Moroccan invention of solar lamps presented at the climate conference (COP27) in Egypt.
According to “Shems for Lighting”, they are the result of the “Light up Africa” project which provides lighting solutions to African families without access to electricity.
The solution is provided in the form of a solar lamp designed specifically for Africa, using non-polluting and environmentally friendly resources. The project also trains young people in the use of renewable energy and in the assembly of solar lamps.
The installation of these solar lamps, says the same source, is the first step of several similar projects in a partnership that will be unveiled on the sidelines of the World Conference on Climate Change (COP27), which is held in Sharm el-Sheikh.
“We are honored to share our community’s gift of solar lights with the different communities in our region,” said Youssef Chakroun, founder of “Shems for Lighting.”
“This partnership and participatory engagement allows everyone to realize that we are all capable of creating positive change at different scales and that local solutions can have a strong social and economic impact for everyone involved. At Shems for Lighting, we believe in the power of light in community development,” he added, according to a company statement.
“As our region prepares to host the next global climate change conferences in 2022 and 2023, we want to lend our voice to the dialogue on climate change solutions,” said Illac Diaz, founder of Liter of Light.
He noted that many people live in communities that are on the front lines of climate change, but don’t have access to technology or platforms to share their stories and messages with world leaders who can make a measurable difference in the fight for climate action.
Shems for Lighting is a Moroccan social enterprise that produces and sells 100% eco-friendly solar lamps that can be used as decorative objects and save on electricity bills. All products merge solar energy and Moroccan handicrafts, thus promoting Moroccan artisans and increasing their livelihoods.
The company has launched the Shems Africa project to provide people without electricity with solar lamps that can replace traditional lamps.
