This post is written in association with MSM Energy/Plastic Bottles

Philippino homes are given one million Liters of Light

If you had the choice between a light bulb you’d have to compare electricity prices and pay for, and one that came with no electricity bill, no batteries or, in fact, no consumable energy source whatsoever, and it would have a shelf life of years, not months, which would would you choose?

The founder of My Shelter Foundation, Illac Diaz, has announced an initiative he’s named ‘A Liter of Light’ (otherwise known as Isang Litrong Liwanag in Philippino), with big plans afoot, for millions of Philippino homes to be given one million liters of light.  Here is an example of how his Liters of Light plan works.

Philippino lives are transformed by Liters of Light from two liter soda bottles

First developed by students at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, the two liter bulb, made from soda bottles, caught Diaz’s attention, when he recognized that it had the potential to instantly transform the lives of millions of impoverished Filipinos, who are living without an electricity supply and in virtually constant darkness.

Invention

A Brazilian mechanic and inventor called Alfredo Moser, has been hailed as the energyless light bulb creator. It’s said that he came up with the idea, when he wanted to find a way of saving on his own energy bill, back in 2002.

Phillipino homes are seeing Liters of Light from water filled two liter bottles

Moser, decided to cut holes in the roof of his workshop.  Then he set a couple of disposable water-filled two-liter bottles, into the roof for his light source. To this, Moser also added to the water, a capful of photographic film and two caps of chloride (bleach) to prevent the formation of mold, which would eventually form, and block the sunlight.

The large, transparent two-liter bottles of crystal-clear water would then refract the sun into the room below, brightening an otherwise dark room.

According to A Liter of Light’s website, there’s plenty of work still to do before it can bring Liters of Light to the Philippines’ remaining homes without electricity or a light source:

“3 million households still remain powerless outside Metro Manila. Even in the metro areas, families still continue to live in darkness.  Meanwhile, the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) has reported that a large number of fire-related incidents involve faulty electrical connections. Informal settlements are high-risk areas, since the BFP (Bureau of Fire Protection) does not conduct fire hazard inspections in these communities. My Shelter envisions sharing to unprivileged communities an economically — and ecologically — sustainable source of light that will provide an immediate solution to our fellowman’s problems.”

So, while these two liter light bulbs work only when the sun’s out, they’re extremely economical. These Liters of Light, are already proving to be able to improve the quality of life for many Filipino people, who are living in makeshift homes without windows or a light source.

Of interest, are similar related articles on how Liters of Light, from two liter soda bottles are making a difference by lighting up the world.

Related articles

• Used soda bottles light up the world – for free (csmonitor.com)
• Spring Out of Poverty – A Charity Event (ateneoalumniaustralia.org)