Arusha, Tanzania : Royal Philips (AEX: PHI, NYSE: PH G); and partners KNVB and Simavi have announced the first Community Light Center installation in Tanzania. A Community Light Center is an area of approximately 1000m2 or the size of a small football pitch, lit to a high level using a new generation of energy efficient solar powered LED lighting. The concept of the Community Light Centers is to create areas of light for rural communities which live without electricity, thus effectively ‘extending the day and extending play’ creating numerous opportunities for social, sporting and economic activities in the evening.
This announcement was made during the Arusha stop of Philips’ fourth consecutive pan-African Cape Town to Cairo Roadshow, which showcases innovations and initiatives in Lighting and Healthcare that create a meaningful impact on people’s lives in Africa. The roadshow specifically highlights the benefits of Philips’ LED and solar lighting solutions which offer energy efficient, cost effective and reliable on- and off-grid illumination.
The new Philips “Community Light Center” will be opened at a school in Mbuyuni village just south of Arusha, thereby enabling and supporting the KNVB’s WorldCoaches program in Africa. The WorldCoaches program trains local football coaches in using football for social development, focusing on communities in developing countries.
During the Cape Town to Cairo Roadshow, Philips and the KNVB are also organizing football games with some of the world’s most talented legends. These matches will be played under solar-powered LED floodlights and will highlight the role that football plays in uplifting a community. The football legends that are joining the Arusha launch event include former Dutch football star Aron Winter, Tico-Tico (Mozambique), and Martha Karimi (WorldCoach and player of the Kenyan Women’s team.
“Africa is starting a new reliable solar powered LED lighting revolution which will save energy as well as provide lights for those without electricity” says Andre Dehmel General Manager, Philips Lighting Africa. “Dramatic advances are being made in the efficiency of LED lighting and this is going to speed up social and economic development across the continent.”
Johan van Geijn, Coordinator for International CSR Projects for KNVB WorldCoaches: “The cooperation with Philips on Solar Lighting Centres enables the WorldCoaches programme to have more impact on the local community and to stretch the program to more rural communities - as football and life skills education will become an evening activity.”
Ewout van Galen, Program Manager at Simavi said “This initiative is a good example of a successful partnership with the Business sector. Simavi, Philips and the KNVB complement each other well in Tanzania. We look forward to working with the private sector”
Philips is currently installing more than a hundred “Philips Community Light Centers” across Africa.
The Roadshow will make its next stop in Nairobi, Kenya, on June 18.
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