Nepal is the birth place of Light Up The World. Since 2000 around 1000 homes, distributed between 20 villages in Nepal were lit using for power generation a mix of solar photo-voltaic, pedal generators and a pico-hydroelectric turbine. All of the homes were lit to a practical level with each household using less than two watts of electrical power. Feedback to date is extremely positive and indicates successful operational implementation.

Most of the projects were facilitated by Alex Zahnd, and Muni Raj - LUTW representatives in Nepal. Alex is a Swiss national who has lived with his family in remote North West Nepal for 7-8 years working primarily for the United Missions of Nepal - a Nepalese NGO. He is now a professor at Kathmandu University. Muni Raj and his daughter, Innu, own and operate Pico Power Nepal in Kathmandu.

Norung Lighting Project

LUTW has also partnered with Luxtreks (www.luxtreks.com), an Albertan NGO helping rural areas which have poor or non-existent lighting. In 2000 Luxtreks installed WLEDs in 45 homes in Norung, a remote village in Nepal. The purpose of the project was to meet the need identified by the villagers to provide an effective lighting source into their homes, with a particular goal of promoting education in the village.

Before the WLEDs installation light was provided either by ghee lamps (these burn clarified butter which is an important food source for the people) or by kerosene lamps that add to the smoke and soot inside the houses and hence contribute to the chronic lung and general health problems of the villagers. The WLED lights powered by solar panels brought an efficient and safe lighting to people of Norung.

Nepal Lighting Project 2000

Project Initiation Date: April 2000
Estimated Completion Date: August 2000
Homes Lit: 3 villages 149 homes (including a Buddhist temple, school and kitchen)

LUTW Sponsored Lamping Project- Installed systems in the 3 villages of Thulo Pokhara, Raje Danda and Thalpi in Nepal. LUTW has donated all equipment and components of project.

Humla Lighting Project 2003

Project Initiation Date: September 2003
Completion Date: December 2003
Homes Lit: 253

In 2003 Alex Zahnd, LUTW representative in Nepal and his team with the support from LUTW and the EnerGreen Foundation installed 840 WLED lights in two Nepali villages, Chauganphaya and Kholsi.

In Chauganphaya around 350 people were provided with safe and affordable lighting powered by central solar PV system. Kholsi, a similar size village, was installed with the Pico PT1 hydro-power plant. Local people have been actively involved in the project by providing sweat equity on site.

Four people from both villages were trained to look after and carry out the basic maintenance needs of the power generation facilities and distribution system.

Chauganphaya and Kholsi are in Humla, the remotest north-western part of Nepal and among the three poorest districts in the country. The inhabitants are mainly lower cast people with very little formal education. Before the WLED lights were installed, people did not have electricity and had to burn "jharro" (raisin soaked pine wood) for light in the homes. Burning jharro produces thick and black smoke causing enormous damage to the respiratory system, especially in children and women.

With WLED lights installed villagers will benefit from safer and cleaner homes, opportunities for education and better environment.

Neuchatel Junior College - Climb for Leaders, Annapurna Sanctuary Trek

Project Initiation Date: April 2009
Completion Date: April 2009
Systems Installed: 45

In Spring 2009, students from Neuchatel Junior College completed a three week trek through the panoramic mountain amphitheatre, known as "The Sanctuary." Prior to the trek, students raised funds to provide 45 of LUTW's solar powered LED lighting systems to schools, clinics and homes in the Annapurna region. With the help of LUTW's visionary founder, Dr. Dave Irvine-Halliday in Nepal, the students were able to successfully complete the installation of these systems. This trek had three central goals:

1. To enhance the leadership qualities of North Americans, arming them with an enormous sense of accomplishment that they will cherish for the rest of their lives.

2. To allow participants to better understand various development issues, including how ecological friendly energy-efficient lighting systems can have a very positive impact on improving education, health and reducing poverty.

3. To empower participants with a world view that they can take into account when considering their career choices.

The $36,686.30 raised for this trip by the Neuchatel Junior College is an incredible testament to the caring, hard work and determination everyone shared to make this trip and project a reality. Light Up The World is grateful to both Neuchatel's students and teachers for their support and commitment.