In Dien Bien province, although the national electricity network has reached communes’ center, over 1,700 minority households on high mountains still have no access to electricity. Without electricity, they are isolated from information and face many difficulties, especially in the fields of education, healthcare and economic development.

Teacher prepare leaning materials with kerosene lamp

To help them solve these social challenges, under its global “100 Thousand Solar Lanterns Project”, Panasonic donated 630 solar lanterns to World Vision Office in Vietnam to be utlized by Dien Bien province authority to implement projects in four communes: Dien Bien Dong, Tua Chua, Tuan Giao and Muong Cha of Dien Bien province.

Mr. Eiji Fukumori (4^th from left) – General Director of Panasonic Vietnam and Ms. Rika Fukuda (5^th from left) – General Manager of CSR & Citizenship Group, Panasonic Corporation present donation to Mr. Mua A Son, Chairman of Dien Bien people committee

By participating in this global project, Panasonic Vietnam further enhances its strong commitment to create a better life and contribute to the happiness of people around the globe and in Vietnam.

Developed with a 3.5 Watt solar panel and built-in rechargeable battery, a Panasonic solar lantern is fully charged within 6 hours under direct sunlight – the most plentiful and easy to find energy resource in mountainous areas. With a handy design and light weight (0.4kg), the solar lantern can last between 6 hours (at maximum brightness) and 90 hours (at minimum brightness).

Handover solar lanterns to Nam Chua satellite schools, Huoi Leng commune, Muong Cha district.

In the donation ceremony, Mr Mua A Son, Chairman of Dien Bien People Committee said “The infrastructure, especially electricity, education and healthcare in our province is not developed. Over 80% of province population is ethnic minorities, the majorities of them are poor households and really need support from organizations and enterprises like Panasonic to reduce the poverty and improve living standard”.

Vice principal of Nam Chua kindergarten and primary school shared that with the solar lanterns, children can have enough light to study and teachers now have more time at night to prepare teaching material for class.

Launched in FY2012, the Panasonic global 100 Thousand Solar Lanterns Project aims to donate a total of 100,000 solar LED lanterns mainly to NPOs/NGOs for the resolution of social challenges faced by people living in areas without access to electricity by 2018, the 100th anniversary of Panasonic's founding.