Similar to d.light, Nuru is a social enterprise working in Rwanda to alleviate poverty as well as create safe living conditions. By eliminating dangerous kerosene lamps and replacing them with affordable LED lights, Nuru helps to create an environment that is apt for young girls and boys to study past sunset and up their social capital.
According to the Orange County Register, 90% of rural households in Rwanda aren't connected to an electrical grid, and thus, the majority of people light their homes using kerosene lanterns. Kerosene, as known, is dangerous, expensive and unhealthy -- but for most there's no alternative.
One of Nuru's founders, Julio De Souza, had a career path that crossed a similar trajectory to many UN employees or others working in large development organizations: he felt that he couldn't make a significant change because of the bureaucratic constraints. His work with Nuru -- which he started with the help of four friends and a 200,000$ grant from the World Bank -- allows him to confront obstacles on-the-ground while working toward both environmental and social goals.
As opposed to simply donating Nuru lights, or selling them at a low cost, Nuru hires local entrepreneurs to distribute the LED lights so they can earn a stable income while at the same time eliminating the dangers of kerosene in their communities.
"This idea of the Westerner coming to save the poor African is very misleading," Nuru's De Souza told the Orange County Register. "If you really want to help African countries it's really by creating responsible businesses, giving people the opportunity to sell products to their community."
Contact Information:
Nuru Website
Rwanda:
P.O. 5345
Kigali, Rwanda
Canada:
70 Normandy Blvd
Toronto, Ontario
M4L 3K3
Canada
Photo Credits: Adam Bacher, John Briggs, Nuru Energy
Kerosene-Replacing Lamps
Nuru Uses LED Lights to Create Jobs and Promote Safety in Rural Rwanda
Trend Themes
1. LED Lights - Disruptive innovation opportunity: Develop more affordable and efficient LED lights to replace dangerous and expensive kerosene lamps.
2. Social Enterprise - Disruptive innovation opportunity: Establish more social enterprises that create safe living conditions and alleviate poverty in developing countries.
3. Local Entrepreneurship - Disruptive innovation opportunity: Support and empower local entrepreneurs in developing countries by providing them with opportunities to sell products within their communities.
Industry Implications
1. Renewable Energy - Disruptive innovation opportunity: Innovate and expand the renewable energy industry to provide sustainable alternatives to kerosene for lighting in off-grid areas.
2. Education Technology - Disruptive innovation opportunity: Develop educational technology solutions that enable studying and learning in areas without access to reliable electricity.
3. Sustainable Development - Disruptive innovation opportunity: Drive sustainable development initiatives that focus on addressing poverty, environmental challenges, and social inequality in developing countries.