Global: FY2023 LIGHT UP THE FUTURE Project　First solar lantern donation in Zimbabwe

As part of its LIGHT UP THE FUTURE project, the Panasonic Group is working with several NGOs, NPOs, and international institutional partner organizations to provide solar lanterns, having delivered over 120,000 to more than 30 countries and regions so far. The local aid programs aim to contribute to building sustainable societies free of poverty by creating opportunities to improve education, health, and income.

In FY2023 a total of 2,880 solar lanterns were donated to six organizations in six countries, based on contributions from the employee benefit program Cafeteria Points and from Bringing Light to People via proceeds from recycling used books, CDs, and DVDs.　

■ First donation in Zimbabwe

The Panasonic Group made its first donation in Zimbabwe on February 27 through the authorized NPO ADRA Japan, which has previously been a recipient of the Panasonic NPO/NGO Support Fund. A donation ceremony held at Chidyamugwamu Secondary School was attended by about 300 people, including the district schools inspector, schoolteachers, students of the school, and their parents. The solar lanterns were handed to 110 of the students. The solar lanterns are expected to extend the children's studying time and so raise their grades, to ensure greater safety at nighttime and higher household incomes through side jobs performed at night.

On receiving the solar lanterns, the children shared their determination to study, saying that they would now be able to do so at home even when it got dark, they were overjoyed to be able to read at night, and that through focusing on their studies they hoped to achieve dreams such as becoming a nurse. The donation ceremony was featured in local newspapers and on YouTube. Two other secondary schools in Zimbabwe received donations of lanterns.

We continue in FY2024 to contribute to donations through Cafeteria Points and through recycling of used goods, so we hope you will take part in it.