Somalia is a nation faced with formidable challenges. But World Vision donors—from individuals to big-hearted companies—are stepping up to help this country, where extreme poverty affects 43 per cent of the population. Silfab Solar is one such company.
Silfab is working for change by expanding its commitment—now entering its third year—to help the world’s most vulnerable children and their communities in innovative ways. The Mississauga-based manufacturer makes solar panels that are ideal for areas without reliable access to a traditional electrical grid.
Silfab President and CEO Paolo Maccario has been a strong backer of World Vision for years. In addition to spearheading his company’s material support, Maccario has twice participated in our Social Innovation Challenge, wherein young entrepreneurs are tasked with developing a social enterprise that will address a particular development issue. In 2016 he acted as a judge for the water and health competition, and was an advisor to the 2017 challenge focused on energy.
The drive for such commitment is clear: “In my experience, nothing is as motivating as going to work every day knowing that your contribution is also making the world a better place for future generations,” says Maccario. “Our partnership with World Vision allows us to empower vulnerable communities to implement sustaining and sustainable solutions.”
A sustainable solution is exactly what Silfab is bringing to Baidoa, Somalia. Existing wells in Baidoa, home to tens of thousands of internally displaced persons (IDPs) living in camps, are either non-functional or have dried up due to drought. More than 42,000 households are without water.
This year, Silfab stepped forward with a donation of 721 solar panel modules valued at over $95,000. The panels are helping communities power the pumps used to draw
clean water from boreholes. Silfab’s contribution is proving particularly valuable to World Vision’s water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) efforts in Baidoa. The WASH program itself offers an innovative approach to delivering sustainable and safe water to this region.
An estimated 30,619 people, including more than 23,000 children, will benefit from improved access to gender- and culturally-appropriate safe water sources and sanitation facilities. And that means better health outcomes for everyone.