30 May 2012, Dhaka. BRAC- the largest development organisation and D.light Design- a US based social enterprise coming up with solar solution to power crisis- have signed a MOU on 28 May, 2012 in Mohakhali BRAC Centre. Dr. Mahbub Hossain, Executive Director of BRAC and Donn Tice, Chairman and CEO of D.light Design signed the MOU on behalf of their organisations. Asif Saleh, Director BRAC Communications, Mandeep Singh, Managing Director, D.light Design India, Sudhir Chandra Nath, Programme Head BRAC Agriculture and Food Security Programme were also present at the event.
D.light Chairman and CEO Donn Tice expressed, “ D.light is happy to be with BRAC in this mission of providing the rural poor of Bangladesh with better quality light".
BRAC Agriculture and Food Security Programme has taken the initiative to launch D.light Design’s solar products in Bangladesh, aiming to provide power sources for the marginalised people who do not have access to the national power grid. On 28 May 2012, the products were officially launched through an event where BRAC officials met the press and answered questions regarding the products.
Dr. Mahbub Hossain said, “Almost 40% of the rural poor do not have access to the power grid, therefore we believe this will improve the quality of their lives, specially the school going children, as they will now have better quality light!” The speakers said, “This initiative will help rural people with an alternative low-cost light source to kerosene lamps and reduce the health risks posed by the kerosene fume.” BRAC officials also shared that this will contribute in meeting the growing demand of electricity in Bangladesh. BRAC AFSP will distribute the products by using their extensive network and appointing local dealers.
D.light design is a social enterprise started out in Palo Alto, California in 2006 fathered by a socially motivated team of business people and engineers. Currently their products are marketed in 40 countries and reaching around seven million people. D.light is operating with a mission to enable households living without reliable electricity to attain the same quality of life as those with electricity. The company targets to reach 50 million people by the end of 2015. BRAC, being the largest development organization reaching over 120 million people worldwide, presents the most suitable opportunity for a successful partnership which can change millions of people’s lives and create a better future.
