Every pair of Birds gives back through our Share Your Sun partnership with SolarAid. Helping to distribute solar light to families in Zambia and Malawi, replacing the use of fossil fuel burning lamps. 





 

Our impact so far

 

Infographic stats for Bird Eyewear solar light project

 
Over 500 million people across Africa do not have access to electricity or safe lighting. Candles, kerosene and poor quality batteries are expensive. Families have to buy these alternatives to electricity because they have no choice.

The impact of solar light in rural communities is huge and transforms lives. Alongside their partners at SolarAid, Bird's customers have helped get these solar lights to the rural communities that need them most. Solar lights lower the affordability barrier for even the poorest families to bring light to every home.



How solar lights make an impact

Families report that solar lights are predominantly used for cooking or by children to do their homework after dark. With access to this safe, clean and free light, children are doing on average an extra hour of homework each day. When children do well at school, they are likely to stay there longer and gain a higher level of education benefiting themselves, their families, and their communities.

Women and child using solar light


Mr Moyo using a solar light the fish market


Improving health, economy and education

The impact of one solar light to a family’s life is:

  • 10% of household income saved as families no longer have to buy candles, kerosene or batteries.
  • Over 1,000 hours of extra study for the children.
  • 1.1 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions are averted from the atmosphere.
  • Families have better health from not breathing in toxic fumes.


Solar light changes everything

Each solar light results in the elimination of the use of one kerosene lamp, and this means there is less indoor air pollution. The result is a reduction in coughing, chest problems, eye irritation, and other illness. During the COVID19 outbreak, solar lights have provided a lifeline to many clinics and health workers.

Using solar light in african hospital


African boy reading a book by solar light



We couldn't do this without you. For the past 4 years Bird have worked exclusively with SolarAid to combat poverty and help reduce the effects of climate change.