Watts of Love

Watts of Love (WOL) is a global solar lighting nonprofit bringing people the power to raise themselves out of the darkness of poverty. 

While traveling in the Philippines, founder Nancy Economou witnessed a young girl with burns caused by a kerosene lamp. She had no idea of the dangers of kerosene and how prevalent it is in the developing world. As a mother of 5 boys, Nancy committed herself to bring safe, clean solar light to families in ultra-poverty, specifically the last-mile populations few others can reach.

After the first distribution, Nancy realized just how much of an impact these lights could have beyond safety: it was clear that the light gave families the opportunity to be productive after dark and save money from kerosene purchases. Nancy was inspired to create the “empowerment model” that Watts of Love still uses today. Each recipient is taught how to use the light to pull themselves out of poverty. According to an NYU study, in one generation, poverty can be eliminated.

Watts of Love (WOL) changes lives and alleviates poverty in the poorest, hardest to reach places with a solar light.

There are nearly 1 billion people currently without access to electricity. WOL creates immediate and lasting change through economic and empowerment coaching, breaking dependency on kerosene and reinvesting savings into sustainable solutions. That’s more time for work and study, and improved health and safety.