The pandemic has made life even more difficult for many people than it already was, especially in developing countries. This makes it all the more important to continue and strengthen aid projects that have already been started. With the non-profit PowerOneForOne Foundation, founded in 2018, the aream Group is currently pushing its social commitment. The aim is to supply particularly disadvantaged people in underdeveloped countries with renewable energy.

"As an asset manager for renewable energy infrastructure we are committed to improving the living conditions of people in far less developed countries", says Markus W. Voigt, CEO of aream Group. With the PowerOneForOne Foundation aream wants to break the vicious circle of energy poverty in a sustainable way. Still 1.2 billion people live without direct access to electricity. Energy poverty is one of the biggest obstacles in the way towards positive development. Through access to electricity, the PowerOneForOne Foundation improves the livelihoods of the rural population by helping them to help themselves, for example through the employment of women, better medical care and educational opportunities for children. The PowerOneForOne Foundation currently supports projects in Guatemala, Uganda, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.

Despite the corona crisis, a solar system for a boarding school for the deaf in Uganda has just been installed. Until now, the school has been supplied with electricity by diesel generators which were insufficient and expensive. For another school for the deaf in Uganda, donations are currently being collected to install modules and storage tanks for the power supply here as well. "Deaf people communicate through sign language, which is why it is so important to have light in order to enable the older, already working pupils to be taught in the evening hours - and not least to enable the children to have dinner with light", emphasizes Janine Voigt, Managing Director of the non-profit organization.

In Pakistan, the PowerOneForOne Foundation mainly supports women and families in villages without access to electricity. So far, 25 families in a poverty-stricken area have received "Small Solar Home Systems" that make the harmful kerosene lamps superfluous: a portable lamp, storage for 40 hours of light and a USB port. Since the toilets are often located outside the houses, portable light means a bit of security, especially for women and children. "A household can be supplied with light for as little as 100 EUR. 15 households are currently still on our waiting list in this area. The aim is to provide families in other regions with these systems", says Janine Voigt.

Pakistan is also particularly hard hit by unemployment due to the Corona crisis. To ensure that married women, who are generally not allowed to work outside the home, can also contribute to family maintenance, the PowerOneForOne Foundation is currently collecting donations to equip women with solar-powered sewing machines. With the help of a local NGO, they will be trained as seamstresses and will be able to sell the self-sewn products to alleviate family hardship.