Watts of Love is a U.S.-based nonprofit aimed at providing people around the world with the power they need to raise themselves out of the darkness of poverty. With the support of ENGIE's U.S. retail electricity business, ENGIE Resources, Watts of Love will deliver Guatemalans 250 solar LED lanterns with built-in audio FM Radio/MP3 players. Watts of Love will also offer recipients education on proper use and care; the health and safety benefits of power; and savings, investment, and entrepreneurship principles as well as customized learning opportunities with audio/MP3 players.
“ENGIE has a rich tradition of philanthropy, and the contributions we are making in our support of Watts of Love further demonstrate this commitment,” said Sayun Sukduang, President and CEO of ENGIE Resources. “Our aim through this outreach is to build a cleaner, more sustainable future while raising awareness of the large number of impoverished people across the globe who are currently living without power.”
ENGIE employees will also have the opportunity to join Watts of Love in Guatemala to help launch the program.
Today, more than 1.1 billion men, women, and children live in darkness when the sun sets. According to data from The World Bank Group, as of 2012, more than 20 percent of Guatemalans have been without access to electricity.
“With the backing of ENGIE Resources, we're bringing an instrument of hope to those who need it most,” said John Economou, Co-Founder of Watts of Love. “By giving the gift of power to Guatemalans in remote villages, we're providing far more benefits than the advantage of lighting alone. We're delivering a life-changing opportunity for people to improve their health, enhance their education, and positively impact their local economies.”
The lights that will be supplied through Watts of Love will last up to 100 hours on a single charge. The highest setting offers the equivalent of 500 lumens, or the brightness of a 40 watt light bulb. That brightness is roughly 10 times brighter than a kerosene lamp.
