On August 4, 2020, the largest non-nuclear explosion in history tore through Beirut, destroying homes, businesses and entire neighborhoods in this beautiful metropolis. The blast killed at least 218 people, injured 7,500 and left 300,000 homeless. An already shaky power grid sustained significant damage plunging large swaths of the city into darkness after sunset.
Night photos by Rami Moukarzel
Now the power is back where the electrical lines are working, but the country can no longer afford to purchase fuel and only provides around 2 hours of electricity per day. An informal and highly profitable diesel-generator network takes over during the daily blackouts, but many cannot afford to plug in and therefore do not have enough light for their daily tasks, safety and well-being.
While plans are in the works for a solar-powered grid, this will take a large influx of funding and time. Light Reach’s low-cost solar lighting model immediately and sustainably alleviates light poverty both indoors and outdoors.
Firefighters installing a streetlight we donated to Tarik el Jdideh fire station 
A happy recipient of portable lights in Mar Mikhaël neighborhood 
Children can read and play after sunset if they have light! 
Two of the streetlights we installed on Salah Labaki Road
Temporary installation for Art, Ecology and the Commons 
A pair of billboards repurposed as a stage by Temporary Art Platform 
Participlay mobile playground in Bourj Hammoud 
One of many building entrances we illuminated so residents can safely enter and exit after dark.
We are also distributing portable lights to the deaf and hard of hearing, who suffer doubly because they cannot communicate in the dark.
Please click here to DONATE and help us sustainably illuminate Lebanon.
Light for Lebanon is a partnership between Light Reach and Manale Kahale, an architectural lighting designer based in Beirut.
PROJECT MODEL
Team
- Project partner: Manal Kahale (LEBANON)
- Legal consultant: Elizabeth Boulos (LEBANON)
- Financial advisor: Ramzi Kahale (CANADA)
- Fundraising Ambassadors: Tina Aghassian, Amer Maleh (USA)
- Graphic Designer: Julia Mahseredjian (LEBANON)
- Social Media: Yasmina el Khoury (LEBANON)
- Photographer: Sasha Abela (LEBANON)
- Volunteer: William Wehbe (LEBANON)
- Local partners: Beit el Baraka, Arc en Ciel, Live Love Beirut, Al Chafaka
Solar Lighting Equipment
- streetlights: pole-mounted lighting fixtures.
- stationary lights: lighting systems that can be installed flexibly to feature streetscapes and architectural elements, and to highlight access points to the streets, alleys and building entrances.
- portable lanterns: small portable lights that are distributed to residents for indoor and outdoor use, and for educational and artistic workshops and community gatherings and events.
IMPACT
Purchased and currently distributing/ installing:
3,250 portable solar lanterns
391 solar floodlights
47 solar streetlights
