You have to endure some pretty cold weather and a decent amount of snow when you live in Maine. Once it starts to get cold, the days quickly become shorter and shorter. For a period of time, it feels like you are bringing the kids to school and picking them up in the dark.
It’s finally getting to the point where you can be outside at 5:00pm and have a glimmer of daylight left.
While the darkness is a bit on the depressing side, can you imagine what it would be like if we didn’t have electricity?
I remember eating dinner by the light of a headlamp while in Nicaragua. As soon as the sun set, that was the only light we had, with the exception of the fire in the kitchen our host Linda cooked over.
photo credit: Alanna Imbach, WaterAid America
In sub-Saharan Africa, about 7 out of 10 people don’t have access to electricity. Lack of electricity means that kids can’t do their homework at night, families get sick from cooking over fires indoors and hospitals can’t power medical equipment or keep medicine cold.
ONE has teamed up with Scholastic to raise awareness about energy poverty. Using the upcoming change to Daylight Saving Time on March 8, the Life Empowered project introduces the topic of energy poverty to students in grades 3 – 8 across the United States, plus their teachers and families, through lesson plans, student handouts and parent information.
On the Life Empowered website page, you’ll find teacher plans and age-appropriate student handouts for grades 3 – 5 and 6 – 8. There’s also a helpful family handout that guides parents through discussions on energy poverty. The goal is to help students become aware of different cultures and the challenges people face globally. This awareness helps them build appreciation for others and to learn to work together to improve living conditions. Energy is something students can relate to since they use energy in their own lives.
Students, teachers and parents can also learn about a bill being reviewed by Congress that will provide 50 million people with access to electricity for the first time.
You can learn more at the Life Empowered project page on Scholastic.com and at ONE.org/energypoverty.
Are you aware of energy poverty?
Each Friday, the another jennifer blog shares stories of those who incorporate philanthropy into their everyday lives – personally and professionally – in a creative and unique way. If you have a story you’d like to share, please contact Jennifer. Read past stories here.
Gosh, this is just such an important initiative!! I love that there is a bill being passed to provide energy to so many who are in need! I can’t imagine living under those circumstances…
Chris Carter recently posted..I Am What I Am, And I am Enough
I know, Chris. It’s a reality check, isn’t it? I think it’s important to teach our kids that others don’t have it as good as us. Even when it seems like our life is hard!
anotherjennifer recently posted..Wordless Wednesday: Life Advice from Dr. Seuss
It really reminds you how much we take for granted. Having access to things like water and electricity are huge! I want Eve to always realize how lucky she is and hope that she learns about these things in school as well when she gets older.
Bev recently posted..Thank you notes: Motherhood, Stonyfield and Mother Nature
Exactly! I’ve reached out to both of my sons’ teachers about this initiative and others around clean water and sanitation. I’ve even offered to talk to the classes about the subjects. Keeping ourselves aware is so key!
anotherjennifer recently posted..Thoughts on Love and Completeness
This is great information – I’m sharing! I love the pic of you with the headlight! 🙂
Alexa recently posted..How to Get a 2nd Grade Girl to Like You
Thanks, Alexa! I thought the headlight pic was perfect for this post! 🙂
anotherjennifer recently posted..Philanthropy Friday: Take a Survey on Simple Giving in Jeans
When I traveled through southern Laos there was an entire town I stayed in without electricity! Really makes you appreciate what you have. What a great initiative!
Jess recently posted..What’s happening lately!
It’s amazing, isn’t it? And we get mad if the power is off for a few hours!
anotherjennifer recently posted..Wordless Wednesday: When Your Kindergartener Learns Your Computer Password
I’m aware of it, but not with a lot of knowledge. And I know I couldn’t tolerate it very well at all. Glad to hear about the bill being reviewed – let’s hope Congress makes a good decision!
Tamara recently posted..Let’s Go Shooting Together.
I hope so! It seems like a no brainer to me.
anotherjennifer recently posted..When Your Brain Never Stops