a·light has partnered with friend and specifer, Chad Groshart, to aid the Himalayan Light Foundation and bring sustainable light to rural Nepalese schools.

“As a lighting designer working for an environmental design firm, I am particularly inspired by the idea of providing sustainable light in its most basic form and through that, changing lives.”  Chad Groshart, IALD,  Atelier Ten, New Haven, CT.

Donations from a·light and other companies and individuals allowed Chad to travel to rural Nepal in October 2008 to donate solar lighting systems through the Himalayan Light Foundation.

“In Nepal, less than 15% of the rural population has access to electricity and the central grid is not expected to reach most remote populations for decades. Without access to artificial light, students can’t study after dark and adults are unable to do the handicrafts that provide subsistence level income. When artificial light is required, people typically use kerosene, candles and wood.  These take precious resources to gather or purchase and produce sooty flames that are often linked to respiratory and eye diseases. A photovoltaic system can allow a school to educate students for several additional terms by increasing the operating hours and adding grades beyond the typical 1-5.”

Upon arrival in Nepal, Chad was trained by HLF in the installation and trouble-shooting of the photovoltaic system. Extensive travel followed to get himself and the equipment into the remote locations. Village families provided housing while he installed the system and trained users on its maintenance and operation. 

“The trip was a great success.  We installed solar lighting in three schools in three different villages, each one more remote than the last.  We travelled an average of three hours by 4x4 up a mountainside away from the nearest paved road and 8 hours from Kathmandu.  The villages had no electricity and the schools had mud walls and floors.  They were extremely happy to have the ability to teach before or after the sun was up and anticipated two more grades could be completed.“

a·light wishes to congratulate Chad on his successful endeavor.

For more details about the trip: view article in LD+A magazine, April 2009.
Learn more about: the Himalayan Light Foundation.
Learn more about: donating to Chad's project.