Mission
Village Volunteers is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that works in partnership with rural village and capacity-building programs to support the development of sustainable solutions for community survival, education, and growth.
Philosophy
Village Volunteers was founded in the belief that partnership
is a key factor in the renewal and healing of areas plagued by poverty
and disease. Committed to preserving autonomy and cultural heritage,
Village Volunteers works in collaboration with village programs
to support the achievement of their goals and objectives by integrating
international volunteerism, sustainable community development projects,
and program assistance.
To learn more about Village Volunteer philosophy and who we are, visit us here.
Volunteer Approach
Through collaboration based on friendship and the commitment to human rights, volunteers have the opportunity to strengthen ties across the boundaries of international borders, race, gender, age, and culture. Village Volunteers is dedicated to preparing volunteers to be culturally sensitive and educated about the goals and objectives of each community, inspiring a sense of global citizenship.
BOGOLIGHT
SUPPORT KICK IT WITH KENYA - BUY A BOGOLIGHT!
When you purchase a BoGoLight, one gets donated to a program of your choice.
Kick it with Kenya is now on the list! These solar flashlights make good gifts, are great for camping and will also change the life of someone in Kenya forever. www.bogolight.com
Why does light matter?
Two billion people living in the developing world rely on
kerosene lanterns, candles, and single-use battery flashlights for
light at night. Not only are these options expensive, dangerous, and
harmful to the environment, they also negatively impact health,
education, and security.
Literacy and Education Our lights provide an opportunity for children
to read at night and to extend school hours. This is especially
important in developing countries where most children spend all day
tending crops, taking care of livestock, or working in cottage
industries. Kerosene is increasingly expensive, especially given the
recent rise in the price of petrochemicals, so many families cannot
afford it. Flashlights are even more expensive, and candles do not
provide adequate lighting to read. As a result, many children will
never learn to read and will be trapped in a life of poverty. Our
lights give them a chance at a better life, thus education is one of
the strongest pillars in our vision to light the world.
The BoGo Light
The BoGo Light is a scientific, eco-friendly breakthrough that is
making an impact worldwide. From Cairo to Cape Town, from the Caribbean
to the Amazon, it is improving the lives of individuals, families, and
entire villages by replacing costly kerosene, candles, and disposable
battery flashlights with an affordable, long lasting, solar flashlight.
BoGo means Buy one, Give one. We want our lights to benefit the less
fortunate; therefore, with each light purchased in the developed world,
a second identical light will be donated to an organization that will
distribute it in the developing world with our direct financial
support. Give the Gift of Light, and Help Us Change the World!
Environmental Impacts Global Warming
Our lights help reduce the emission of greenhouse gases. Dr. Evan Mills of the US Department of Energy states that a single kerosene lantern, used four hours a day, emits over 100 kg of the greenhouse gas, carbon dioxide, into the atmosphere each year. As a comparison, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) calculated that a passenger vehicle emits on average 11,450 pounds of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere each year. Therefore, replacing approximately 52 kerosene lanterns in the developing world with solar powered lights is equivalent to removing one vehicle from the roads here in the US.