" title="External link to: "(external)Solar Flashlight Lets Africa’s Sun deliver the Luxury of Light to the Poorest Villages, New York Times, 20th of May 2007":http://yaleglobal.yale.edu/display.article?id=9199
" class="external">Connors and Blumenthal Report on How Solar Flashlights Light the Way in Africa

Mark Bent, a former foreign service officer and Texas oilman, joined forces with international organisations, NGOs and corporate benefactors to develop and distribute over 30,000 solar-powered flashlights to villages and refugee camps in Africa. The flashlights — which provide up to 7 hours of light on a daily solar charge and last about 3 years — serve a multitude of purposes ranging from providing security, enabling children to study at night and reducing waste and respiratory problems caused by poisonous fumes from burning coal, wood and kerosene.