hitting the road

not many people focus on israel's role as an innovator and a contributor to the global community. that's why we've gone on tour to speak with students and adults both inside and outside of the jewish community. so far, these tours have taken us through new york, boston, DC and san francisco. we can't wait to reach even broader in 2011.

5,000 m2

the women of our first agricultural project, the bagamoyo women's farming collective, now have 5,000 square meters of land installed with drip irrigation. this farm provides a constant source of food for their families, and they sell surplus crops at local markets. their families, who used to suffer from hunger and malnutrition, are now healthier and wealthier thanks to israeli technologies.

international recognition

after meeting with first ladies, ambassadors, UN representatives and members of congress, we have become connected on a global scale. we are proud to speak of the power of israeli technologies and the generosity of the community that makes our work possible.

going mobile

cell phones are the only way for rural african people to connect with the world outside their village, but without electricity, there's no way to charge them. each of our solar powered facilities now has a solar cell phone charging station. local people can pay $0.15 to charge their cell phones. this income for our solar powered schools and medical clinics is used for project maintenance, making each facility self-sufficient.

intervention

in august of 2009, uganda was declared polio free. in november, a new case was discovered, threatening a polio outbreak. polio is a highly contagious virus and many rural people, especially young children, are not vaccinated against it. when outbreak threatened, the government called jewish heart for africa and used our solar powered clinics and refrigerators as storage facilities for the vaccines. our local staff helped in the national immunization campaign in which thousands of children were vaccinated over the course of just a few days. the crisis is now contained and each of our refrigerators is stocked with the vaccines to prevent future outbreaks.

a free trip to africa

this year, we launched the runway challenge at our gala. participants carried water in their arms and wood on their heads to experience one of the many challenges of life without electricity. stephanie zisholtz, winner of the challenge, will be joining us on an all expense paid trip to uganda this January.

a pilot project

we are now field-testing solar lanterns to be used as a replacement for candles and kerosene lamps in individual homes. we'll soon be launching a microfinance business model to make these lamps available and affordable to those who want a safer and more sustainable energy solution.

jha tv

you've been hearing about our work for three years. its time for you to see it. this year, we sent our first film crew to bring the images of our work home to all of you. visit our youtube channel to watch video footage of what you've helped us accomplish on the ground.

malawi

in our first three years, we've worked in three african countries. it's only fitting that now, we're expanding to a fourth. this year, we have worked with non-profit partners and the malawian ambassador to lay the groundwork for our expansion. stay tuned for our progress in 2011.

150,000

this is the number of people whose lives have changed for the better since we started working in 2008. these are people that have light in their classrooms for the first time for evening study and adult education. they are people that now have access to 24 hour medical care by electric bulbs rather than burning gas. they have refrigeration for medicines and vaccines. they have access to clean water through solar powered water pumps and they won't starve or lose their crops to drought because they have drip irrigations systems. for the first time, 150,000 people have access to a better, brighter future all thanks to your support.

thank you.