Life in Dorzohn is not easy.

Buried deep in the Liberian jungle, the people of Dorzohn rarely have contact with the outside world. Their houses are made of clay and leaves, their children lack education, and only a few can speak English—the official language of Liberia.

Their currency is what they are able to grow in their farms and trade with the vehicle that travels the treacherous path to their community once a week.

And for four months out of the year, their creeks dry up and the people have to trek through the jungle to surrounding communities in search of water.

Their survival depends on their ability to work—but once the sun sets, all work comes to a halt. 

But—thanks to International Aid and PiSAT Solar—the darkness won’t hinder the community anymore.

In January, International Aid delivered the first shipment of PiSAT Solar’s solar-powered lanterns was delivered to the rural community of Dorzohn.

The lightweight, water resistant and durable K•Light lanterns come with solar panels that—when fully charged—provide 10-20 hours worth of light each day for 10-20+ years, depending on whether the lantern is set to full or half power. At full power, the solar-powered bulb is 20 times brighter than a kerosene lamp.

“These lights will change this community,” said Massa, one of the Liberians. “We love that they only need the sun to work.”

The distribution of lanterns was a part of International Aid’s “Lanterns for Liberia” initiative. During the January trip led by former CEO David Wisen, lanterns were delivered to rural two churches—Harvest Bible Chapel Buchanan and Harvest Bible Chapel Dorzohn. Families in the church communities were thrilled to receive them, and were trained by IA team members on how to care for and use the lanterns.

“Going to Dorzohn is going as close to the edge of the world as you can,” Wisen said. “Seeing the excitement in people’s faces is something I’ll never forget.”

But lack of light is not an isolated problem in Liberia, the world’s second poorest nation. Back-to-back civil wars—which spanned over 14 years and ended in the mid-2000’s—devastated Liberia’s infrastructure, leaving the nation’s electricity system nonexistent.

Since 2005, the Liberian government has begun restoring electricity to larger cities. However, nearly two-thirds of the nation’s population continues to live in the dark.

“These lights represent more than an ability to function at night; they represent hope,” Wisen said. “For the church people who received these lanterns, the light is a visual reminder of how the Gospel sheds light in a dark world.”

A second shipment of lanterns from International Aid was delivered to Liberia this week along with over-the-counter medications and replacement medical equipment parts.

To get involved in IA’s work in Liberia, visit www.give2ia.org and designate your gift to “Liberia.”

Liberia Blog Series:

Why Liberia?

IA and Liberia: An Introduction

IA and Liberia: Equipping the Hospitals

IA and Liberia: Team heads to Liberia

IA and Liberia: Rebuilding the Youth

IA and Liberia: Lanterns for Liberia

IA and Liberia: Empowering the Church