DIFFICULTY: Medium
One thing I take for granted every day: electricity.
I don't really notice how much I need electricity until the power goes out, especially at night. I have no idea how to cook without using a microwave, an oven, or a stove. I have no idea how to entertain myself with a tv, a computer, or a light to read a book. In fact, every time the power goes out I pretty much just sit there until it comes back on.
I'm pretty lost without electricity and yet, approximately 25% of the world lives without it.
One thing I take for granted every day: electricity.
I don't really notice how much I need electricity until the power goes out, especially at night. I have no idea how to cook without using a microwave, an oven, or a stove. I have no idea how to entertain myself with a tv, a computer, or a light to read a book. In fact, every time the power goes out I pretty much just sit there until it comes back on.
I'm pretty lost without electricity and yet, approximately 25% of the world lives without it.
I used to categorize electricity as a luxury and not a necessity, but the reality is that if it is a luxury, it's a really, really important one! An organization called Lifeline Energy offers a lot of insight in the History section of their site.
The downside to not having electricity? You have to use candles, or kerosene lamps. I can't imagine studying for school by candlelight, and besides that, kerosene can be really dangerous. The Lifeline Energy site states that hundreds of children die each year from drinking kerosene, and kerosene accidents oftentimes cause homes to catch fire. In dry climates and close communities, these fires can spread, killing families and destroying all they've worked for.
By donating to Lifeline Energy, you can provide a renewable light source for families in South Africa. You can also donate to provide portable radios for communities or Lifeplayers for schools! Pretty amazing, right? :)
The downside to not having electricity? You have to use candles, or kerosene lamps. I can't imagine studying for school by candlelight, and besides that, kerosene can be really dangerous. The Lifeline Energy site states that hundreds of children die each year from drinking kerosene, and kerosene accidents oftentimes cause homes to catch fire. In dry climates and close communities, these fires can spread, killing families and destroying all they've worked for.
By donating to Lifeline Energy, you can provide a renewable light source for families in South Africa. You can also donate to provide portable radios for communities or Lifeplayers for schools! Pretty amazing, right? :)
On a different note, I just added this quote to the quotes section of Get Inspired (it's one of my favorites!):
"Anything looked at closely becomes wonderful."- A.R. Ammons
"Anything looked at closely becomes wonderful."- A.R. Ammons