Approximately one year after leading roof window manufacturer VELUX Group joined forces with social business Little Sun and NGO Plan International, launching a design competition to bring clean, sustainable light to Africa, the first solar lamps have now arrived on African soil.
The VELUX Natural Light International Design Competition received 172 proposals from 65 countries. A high-level jury of experts in the fields of architecture, art and design subsequently selected the winning design, by Mariana Arando and Luca Fondello of the University of Buenos Aires, Argentina. Their solar lamp design was inspired by the way light can bring people together.
The VELUX Group has so far produced and donated 14,500 of the solar-powered lamps, and 150 local sales agents are now being trained in how to sell the lamps in off-grid communities in Senegal, Zimbabwe and Zambia. The training combines workshops, roleplay, demonstrations, and group work.
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/uk/7724551-velux-natural-light-solar-lamps-in-africa/
Today leading window manufacturer The VELUX Group and the social business Little Sun announce a partnership with the NGO Plan International to distribute a new solar lamp – the Natural Light solar lamp – in three African countries: Zimbabwe, Zambia and Senegal. The partnership with Plan International will deliver sustainable solar-powered light to people living off-grid in areas without electricity, through a program that involves and empowers local communities.
To view the Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7519251-velux-plan-partners-solar-africa/
Globally, 1.2 billion people have no access to electricity. On the occasion of VELUX 75th anniversary the company decided to address this issue. Together with the social business Little Sun and the NGO Plan International they are collaborating to bring clean, reliable and affordable light to off-grid regions in Zambia, Sierra Leone and Zimbabwe.
14,500 Natural Light lamps from the VELUX Group have now arrived in Africa and the first recipients can already look forward to a better quality of life.
Among them are young girls between 10 and 18 years of age who live in a safe house in the slum area Mntendere in the Zambian capital Lusaka.
"The lamps mean the girls can do their homework when they get back from school and can feel safer at night, instead of huddling together in the dark after sunset. And it’s particularly important for our children that they feel safe – many are carrying the mental baggage such as the trauma of violence, rape or drugs," says safe house manager Verann Delarey.
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/uk/7769151-velux-natural-light-and-life-zambia/
Virginia Bioinformatics Institute (VBI), a world-class research institute dedicated to the study of information biology, is using DataDirect Networks (DDN) SFA® high-performance storage engine-based GRIDScaler GPFS parallel file system to perform rapid, accurate Ebola outbreak modeling for the U.S. Department of Defense’s Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA).
A team of 30 researchers and scientists on VBI’s Ebola rapid response team initially provided DTRA and West Africa’s Ministries of Health (MOH) with short-term forecasts on vaccine production and disease spread.
To view the Multimedia News Release, go to: http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7429756-ddn-gridscaler-vbi-ebola/
L’Oréal announced the winners of its International Awards for Social Responsibility in Dermatology, “Caring to Inspire Skin Confidence” at the 23rd World Congress of Dermatology taking place in Vancouver, Canada.
For Africa and Arab States
Prof. Khalid Mohammed AlGhamdi from Saudi Arabia
Charity Society known as Faal to empower and support vitiligo patients in Saudi Arabia
Vitiligo is a long-term skin condition that causes pale, white patches on the skin due to a lack of melanin. This project aimed to increase awareness via TV broadcasts, schools visits and to provide psychological and social support to patients with vitiligo through training courses and different education programs.
To view the Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7554651-loreal-announces-2015-awardees/
While Dubai’s glam fans celebrated the best local fashion offerings at Fashion Forward Dubai (March 31-April 2), the Pepsi® lounge offered a sophisticated set-up for fashionistas to chill out in amongst the chic goings-on of the three day style fest. Guests of the pop-up lounge enjoyed a selection of delectable Pepsi®-inspired street-style dining delights, including ice-cold Pepsi®, hot eats and cool treats such as Pepsi®-flavored ice cream creations.
“Fashion Forward Dubai is a very important event for us,” said Hossam Dabbous, Vice President, Beverages Category, PepsiCo, Middle East and North Africa. “It’s an event that we are proud to have a continued sponsorship of, as it enables us to provide support to the region’s up and coming creative talent. Dubai, and the GCC in general, is home to some incredible talents, especially in the field of fashion. Being able to provide them with a platform that emphasizes their capabilities is critical to helping them to achieve the success they deserve. The Pepsi lounge at Fashion Forward Dubai echoed the sophisticated glamor of the event in true Pepsi style, bringing together chic design with fun, familiar and refreshing flavor.”
Pepsi® has sponsored Fashion Forward Dubai since 2013.
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/uk/7819951-pepsi-glam-lounge-fashion-forward-dubai/