Exploring Charity Worker Perceptions of the Social Value and Sustainability of Solar Lighting in Malawi, Kenya and Zambia: A Scoping Study

Export Citation

Harrison, R, Eckley, L, Timpson, H, Blickem, C and Van Hout, MC (2019) Exploring Charity Worker Perceptions of the Social Value and Sustainability of Solar Lighting in Malawi, Kenya and Zambia: A Scoping Study. Journal of Sustainable Development Africa, 21 (3). ISSN 1520-5509

[thumbnail of Exploring Charity Worker Perceptions of the Social Value and Sustainability of Solar Lighting in Malawi, Kenya and Zambia A Scoping Study.pdf]
Preview
 Text
Exploring Charity Worker Perceptions of the Social Value and Sustainability of Solar Lighting in Malawi, Kenya and Zambia A Scoping Study.pdf - Published Version
Download (633kB) | Preview

Abstract

Approximately 600 million people in sub-Saharan Africa have no access to electricity and use kerosene as a source of light. Solar lighting is a safer and cost effective alternative allowing families to study, work and live without the harmful effects of kerosene. Qualitative, semi-structured interviews were undertaken with staff from a United Kingdom (UK) based charity to explore the social value of solar lighting (n=7). These staff were based in the UK, Malawi, Kenya and Zambia. Two overarching themes: ‘The Social Value of Solar Lighting’ and ’Improving the Sustainability and Economic Viability of Solar Lighting’ illustrated perceived multi-faceted and wide reaching benefits on the micro-level creating positive social, economic and environmental outcomes. Future studies may look to identify the impact that solar lights may have upon the macro-level, and medium to long-term outcomes; and estimated social return on investment in different developing countries.

Item Type: Article
Subjects: G Geography. Anthropology. Recreation > GE Environmental Sciences
H Social Sciences > HM Sociology
R Medicine > RA Public aspects of medicine > RA0421 Public health. Hygiene. Preventive Medicine
Divisions: Public and Allied Health
Publisher: Clarion University of Pennsylvania, Clarion, Pennsylvania
Date of acceptance: 2 September 2019
Date of first compliant Open Access: 15 January 2020
Date Deposited: 15 Jan 2020 10:39
Last Modified: 19 Jan 2022 10:01
URI: https://researchonline.ljmu.ac.uk/id/eprint/12022
View Item View Item
CORE (COnnecting REpositories)