1.6 billion people, a quarter of humanity in over 100 countries, use kerosene as lamp oil. By 2030 in most countries a decline in this light production is expected. But not in East Africa. Hier the use of kerosene continues to increase, not least because of the growing population. Currently, 440 million barrels of oil per year are consumed by kerosene lamps. This corresponds to about 190 million metric tons of the toxic carbon dioxide and to the pollutant emissions from 30 million cars.

It is rainy season and for the solar technicians of the ten Solar Centers, it is thus very difficult to install solar home systems in remote areas. To fulfil this "break" appropriately, staff from each team will be released to participate in skills training at the International Solar Energy School (ISES).
The ISES is based in the solar village Rema. This guarantees besides the theoretical training part, a strong practical basis. Moreover: the solar village Rema with its people is so impressive that the solar technicians are additionaly motivated.
Content of the training: Management - Office administration, complex PV systems, IT, annual planning and reporting.

When the Stiftung Solarenergie - Solar Energy Foundation equipped in 2008 with solar light all the huts in the village of Rema, the people were overjoyed. Except for one, Bonaja Belachew (nickname: kerosene man), who made exclusively a living selling kerosene to the villagers and had a wife and two children to feed. A further complication is that Bonaja Belachew is seriously disabled and unable to move except with hands and knees. With the kerosene sales he earned 45 Birr per week. But the effort and costs of this were great. For he had to procure himself the kerosene each Saturday on a distant markt. 20 liters, an enormous achievement for a seriously disabled person. Now he was faced with ruin. Who has a solar light, needs no more kerosene. As Bonaja Belachew called the Stiftung Solarenergie - Solar Energy Foundation's attention to his particular situation, a joint solution was quite fast found. The Stiftung Solarenergie - Solar Energy Foundation placed a SunTransfer Powerbox at Bonaja Belachew's disposal. With it, he has not only enough light for him, for his family and for his new business: the solar Powerbox can also load up to three mobile phones simultaneously. Now Bonaja Belachew load daily eight or more mobile phones, each for two Birr. "I earn more than before", rejoices Bonaja Belachew. "I never would want to change back to my previous business!"
This is just a small story of how solar energy can change the lives of the people.

Bill Clinton, former President of the USA, visited on 31 July 2008 during his Africa Trip, the solar projects of the Stiftung Solarenergie - Solar Energy Foundation in Rema / Ethiopia. "I am deeply impressed by the work that is currently being carried out in Rema Village by the Stiftung Solarenergie - Solar Energy Foundation and its partners as part of the Clinton Global Initiative. It has brought light and hope into the lives of 5,500 people", said President Clinton after his visit.

President Clinton talked with to many villagers and visited one of the huts equipped with solar light, as well as the evening school initiated by the villagers. He could experience at first hand the practical utility of solar energy in everyday life of rural people. President Clinton was visibly impressed by the work of the Stiftung Solarenergie - Solar Energy Foundation and by the development in Rema triggered by solar energy: "This village serves as an exemplary model for what can be achieved through innovation and integrated approaches to address some of our world’s most pressing challenges, and it’s a testament that clean energy can drive economic progress in developing countries. I hope others will be inspired to make their own commitments around the world to improve lives and expand opportunity", said President Clinton.

Following the visit of President Clinton, the established contacts between the Clinton Global Initiative and the Stiftung Solarenergie - Solar Energy Foundation will be further consolidated.

Partner of the Stiftung Solarenergie within the President Clinton Global Initiative is Good Energies Inc.