Sunnan - IKEA and UNICEF help enlighten children
Starting in June 2009, for every SUNNAN solarpowered lamp sold in IKEA stores worldwide, one lamp will be given to UNICEF to light up the life of a child.
IKEA has made an especially sturdy SUNNAN for the developing world, designed to resist the wear and tear of difficult living situations, including a battery capable of withstanding high temperatures.
This unit will enable children to play, read, write and study at night, even if their homes have no electricity.
UNICEF will work with school officials to distribute the lamps to children who cannot study after dark in areas where electricity is missing or in short supply. They will be distributed to boarding schools and homes which are located in remote rural areas in the central and western provinces in China. “Millions of children can’t draw, write or read after sunset, limiting their horizons and possibly their futures,” said Marianne Barner, head of IKEA Social Initiative. “We hope our lamps are a small but important contribution to improving the lives of children in developing countries.”
“Especially girls are often required to help out with household chores after school, and their only chance of doing their homework may be at night,” she said. “SUNNAN can make a huge difference to them. If they can keep up with the homework, their school attendance will likely increase and their achievements improve.”
