A solar lighting initiative by PhoScope
March 1, 2019
We meet again with our partner Gustavo from Impec to refine the selection of all solar stationary lights…
and we head out to our second workshop where twenty residents of the barrio Mariana de Humacao await us… After another successful workshop, we test our new solar floodlights to help the community create landscape lighting on the playground.
The next day we join our new partner, La Maraña, on a visit to Comerío where we will soon launch our third pilot project.
January 11, 2019
Finally, we can install the first pole light … but we had to choose another location for the prototype, due to illegal dumping on the site they originally selected: Enlace and the community are working on this– to be continued.
Our team also goes to Humacao to meet with the community leaders of Barrio Mariana, and visits the playground which they are working on with La Maraña and where they would like to do a Recreo de Noche project (RDN2).
November 16, 2018
Marién is back in San Juan for the pilot project of Recreo de Noche to do a workshop on light with children at the Mini Oratorio Los Hijos de Don Bosco. We also welcome Stephanie and Lorna who have joined the RDN team, as well as Llaima, who has volunteered to film the workshop.
Despite torrential rains, the first workshop was a success: mission accomplished, and everyone asked for the next one! The installation of the pole light prototype that was scheduled with the community was cancelled, but our volunteers were able to test some landscape lighting effects with the four sample solar utility flood lights we purchased.
September 14, 2018
Our team goes to Puerto Rico to meet with the Proyecto Enlace del Caño Martín Peña, our pilot project partners, and to review with them which of the Buena Vista Hato Rey community’s playgrounds is the best candidate for a pilot Recreo de Noche project (RDN1).
We also visit the lighting retail store Impec and meet with the owners to discuss the project and establish a supply chain for the RDN program.
July 15, 2018
We received seed funding for our first pilot project under the Recreo de Noche program in Puerto Rico! Thank you to Designers Lighting Forum of New York (DLFNY) and Illuminating Engineering Society (IESNYC)!
Days are short in the tropics, and PhoScope is launching Recreo de Noche in Puerto Rico to rapidly deploy solar lighting in community playgrounds for use after sunset. This program will serve the immediate recreational and social needs of many Puerto Ricans who are deprived of electrical power.
Recreo de Noche is a replicable model for the procurement of a kit of solar lighting products for community groups who will distribute and install them in collaboration with teams of volunteers. The volunteers will moderate public discussions and hold participatory workshops on light and lighting.
