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Light a Child's Night, Light a Student's World After night falls in the electricity-less slums of Kenya, the world is devoid of light except for the dim flicker of dangerous, expensive kerosene lamps. Each lamp releases a ton of carbon dioxide annually. This CO2 causes lung cancer, bronchitis and pneumonia in families before it leaves their homes. The kerosene lamps are used because there is no other option, no clean light source is available. Fuel-based lighting emits almost five billion pounds of carbon dioxide a year, contributing to global warming. The World Bank estimates that the 780 million women and children breathing kerosene fumes inhale the equivalent of two cigarette packs daily. This explains why two thirds of adult female lung cancer victims are non-smokers. The Lit! Project was founded by high schooler Ben Hirschfeld to provide solar lanterns to LitWorld's students to help solve this problem. 30 lanterns found homes with students at the Red Rose School in Kenya so far, and Lit! is currently raising funds for a big shipment over the summer. Ben and our great volunteers fund-raise at local farmers' markets and music festivals, as well as having benefit concerts and read-a-thons, but we need all the help we can get. If you would like to volunteer to help with this project, or have a read-a-thon for Lit! in you school, please email Ben at benhirschfeld@litworld.org. If you would like to donate specifically to this program, please include a note with your check, or under "Add special instructions" when you make your online donation. Only $20 provides a student with a solar lamp.
NEWS! Lit! booths were located throughout the New York City area on Earth Day. The first Lit! Benefit Concert featuring traditional Scottish dance music took place on Monday, December 7th, 8pm at International House, 500 Riverside Drive, New York City.
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