SYDNEY, 17 January 2017:
Today at an event in Sydney a partnership was announced between Fairbreak and SolarBuddy which seeks to address Energy Poverty. FairBreak is an initiative that incorporates the Women’s International Cricket League (WICL) and exists to create opportunity, education and performance opportunities for women everywhere.
Simon Doble, CEO SolarBuddy said, “FairBreak is a natural partner for us. Our focus is about the education of Australian school children about energy poverty, renewable energy and global citizenship and how ending energy poverty will empower women and children in developing nations”.
FairBreak co-founder, Shaun Martyn, said, “Our partnership with SolarBuddy is an initiative that changes lives every day. The simple fact that our work in education and sport can be extended through this partnership is exciting for all of us. Simon and our team have big plans for 2017 – come and join us!”
This partnership has garnered global support from Arif Zaman, Executive Director of the Commonwealth Businesswomen’s Network (CBW) who said, “We emphasise our strong support for your work, which we see as one of the most innovative, impactful and inspirational in the gender and women’s economic empowerment space anywhere today.”
CBW is the only organisation focused on women’s leadership and economic empowerment recognised by 52 Governments across five continents.
Mr Sachin Bajaj, Executive Committee Member of the Cricket Club of India accepted a SolarBuddy solar powered light, symbolic of 600 similar lights which have been shipped to India and are waiting to be distributed.
“I am very honoured to accept these lights”, said Mr Bajaj. “It is just the start of a wonderful program for India”.
ACS Foundation Executive Director, Mr John Ridge AM, said “We are very pleased to be working with Solar Buddy and Fairbreak on these fantastic initiatives. In November we held a STEM event for 900 primary school students during which 600 Solar Buddy lights sponsored by the Australian Computer Society were assembled, as part of an educational and awareness exercise. The feedback from the schools involved has been very positive, and will lead to an attitudinal change, as students become more aware of the circumstances of others in the world, and the issues associated with energy poverty.”
Energy Poverty affects 20% of the world’s population, predominantly women and children. These lights will go to the Sri Ayyappan School in Bangalore and other communities in India that are off the grid. It is believed that 4.8 million people die each year as a result of energy poverty.
The announcement and presentation was made in front of several of FairBreak’s and Solar Buddy partners from education, government, the sporting world and corporate entities.
These included: The Edinburgh Business School, Pymble Ladies College, The Commonwealth Businesswomen’s Network, Symantec, Prof Shirley Randell AO, GeoffLawson OAM.
