Hike for Light

Over the next few months, Hybrid Social Solutions, along with Stiftung Solarenergie Philippines (StS PH) will be participating in the Hike for Light.

This event is the second in a series of nationwide campaigns to distribute solar-powered energy systems to Filipino communities in the mountains. This campaign follows the Ride for Light, a 19 day motorcycle journey which brought almost 600 solar home systems to 80 communities across the Philippine archipelago in April and May 2011.

The climbs will consist of the six highest mountains in the Philippines, and climbers will supply 500 lights for 500 off grid families along the way. The climbs will be led by Kaya ng Pinoy’s Team Everest, the first Philippine Mount Everest expedition in history.

Provision of lanterns will be combined with training to ensure that beneficiaries know how to maximize the use of our products and receive proper technical support after we have left. In addition, this allows local residents and partners to see the value of these lanterns first hand. While the initial campaign is a donation, these campaigns are designed to produce future sales channels.

Having access to a reliable source of light is crucial for families living in the mountains. From being able to see the dangerous terrain to monitoring livestock at night, access to a clean, reliable source of light will be a great asset for these communities.

I am hoping to attend all of them, although I am told that the last one may be off limits. It is the most difficult of the climbs, and involves some actual rock climbing.