Denver Initiative to Illuminate Lives in Uganda

Denver, CO, September 27, 2012 --(PR.com)-- Two Denver organizations, the Women’s Global Empowerment Fund (WGEF) and Nokero, the world’s leading manufacturer of small-scale solar products, have teamed up to provide solar light bulbs for WGEF clients in Gulu, Uganda.

Through the Juwa Initiative (named for the Swahili word for “light”), Nokero will provide its flagship product, the N200 solar bulb, to WGEF clients. Initially the bulbs will be offered to literacy students to facilitate their studies; the bulbs will also provide light for homework, cooking and extending the day safely and inexpensively.

Nokero’s breakthrough solar bulb charges in the sun by day and provides six hours of light by night. Durable and economical, the bulb successfully replaces kerosene lamps and paraffin candles which are often the default light source in much of the developing world. The name, Nokero, is short for “no kerosene.”

Nokero CEO, Steve Katsaros said, "More than 1.3 billion people worldwide lack access to electricity. Instead, the world’s energy poor use kerosene, candles, wood, cow dung and other dangerous, dirty fuels for lighting. By using our proven technology and partnering with like-minded organizations like WGEF we can bring safe, effective, affordable and healthy solar light to places where it is badly needed – like northern Uganda."

The mission of WGEF, Nokero’s partner in the Juwa Initiative, is to reach underserved women in Gulu, northern Uganda through microfinance loans and education programs. It seeks to offer women leadership and empowerment opportunities required to lead successful, dignified lives. Gulu is a post-conflict area that is recovering from the ravages of the civil war waged by the infamous Joseph Kony of the Lord’s Resistance Army.

Karen Sugar, founder and Executive Director of the WGEF said, “WGEF is very excited to be partnering with Nokero in bringing this solar bulb to Gulu. Each light has four LED bulbs and is bright enough to light a small room, illuminating life and creating many new possibilities for women and families in the region.”

Sugar added that while Nokero’s solar bulb might look like just a light bulb at first glance, to people who have no access to electricity, this is literally a life-changing technology. “The possibilities for Gulu and, indeed, for the rest of the region, are tremendously exciting,” she said.

For more information on Nokero please go to www.nokero.com

For more information, to get involved or contribute to Women’s Global Empowerment Fund please go to www.wgefund.com