Help me support these children who do not have light to do their schoolwork at home, and if they do, it comes from harmful, smoke-producing kerosene lamps.

On March 17 2013, for the first time in my life, I ran an entire marathon barefoot to raise awareness for the cause and won 1st place in the barefoot category at the Scheveningen-Zandvoort marathon. My feet didnt look too good after, but it was well worth the effort!

The project is also supported by Rajani's South Indian Kitchen:
http://www.nambiar.info/

With your help, we were able to collect 1165 EUR during my fundraising with the marathon barefoot running campaign. My good friend Rajani joined the cause by donating 900 EUR for a total of 2065 EUR towards “Light for Education”. Rajani is an experienced chef who hosts lunches/dinners with excellent South Indian cuisine for an appropriate charge regularly. With the charge she covers her cost, while the profits go to a charitable cause.

The total donation of approx 2065 EUR is used to provide solar lights for more than 100 students at different school locations with little or no grid access.

Typically, the installation for a school costs around 120 EUR (less for the tent schools) for the charging station and installation cost, while the cost for the solar light and battery pack amounts to 10-15 EUR per student. The students are charged a small maintenance fee of 2 EUR per year for maintenance and replacement of damaged/defective lights and battery packs. Although the maintenance is covered in the project, the students are charged the amount to enforce a sense of responsibility and ownership. Once the maintenance cost is recovered the maintenance deposit will be reinvested in future projects.

1) Government High Primary School (GHPS), Parpunja, Kumbra at Puttur Taluk, Dakshina Kannada District. 600 EUR for 25 LED lights and solar cell

2) Government High School , Kakkabe at Madikeri Taluk, Coorg District. 600 EUR for 25 LED lights and solar cell

3) Government Higher Primary School (GHPS)  Rayee, Koila at Bantwal Taluk, Dakshina Kannada District. 600 EUR for 25 LED lights and solar cell

4) Tent Schools, Udupi District, 266 EUR, solar panel for tent school, >60 beneficiaries.

The initial plan was to equip one school only, but with the raised amount we could fund systems for at least 4 schools! The installation of the solar charging panels and handover of the lights will be carried out until end of the first quarter of 2014. Thanks to each and every one of you for your contribution. With your donation, you have at least given one of these students an extra boost to follow up their education and bring benefits to his or her entire family.