I thought I'd try something new and do a bit of a product review for this blog post - let me know what you think!
The luminAID is a solar-powered, waterproof, inflatable light. You can pack it flat, but when inflated it morphs into a powerful lightweight lantern. It recharges in the sun, and it's ideal for having fun outdoors or as a tent light, or even to keep at home in case of a power cut.
It was originally designed by two Columbia University architecture graduates to help victims of the 2010 earthquake in Haiti. It's since been distributed to other disaster-struck areas, with one of its main benefits being its small size. For the same space as eight normal torches, 50 luminAIDs can fit into a box to provide light to communities and individuals. They allow people to feel safer at night, and able to read or continue to study, even in awful circumstances.
I bought one myself after a fellow TL (Rob - follow his blog) showed me his whilst we shared a tent at our last training week in Lichfield. It was awesome. I usually end up trying to attach my headtorch to the roof of the tent and can only illuminate one corner of the tent, or keep it on my head and accidentally lose it whenever I take my jumper off. Okay realistically it's not that much of an issue.. but a luminAID makes people very happy when they can easily just turn a light on when it's pitch black, plus it saves on precious headtorch battery.
When we're in Zanskar, we won't be able to charge batteries (other than essential ones like those in our YellowBricks etc. from solar panels), so it's reassuring to know that the luminAID can just recharge itself by hanging off my rucksack for a day in the sun. I'll be taking mine on my upcoming canoeing trip across Scotland, so I'll let you know how it fares!
I bought mine for around £14 online, but you can also buy them through the luminAID website and contribute to the Give Light, Get Light program. By paying slightly more, you'll help donate lights to individuals who will greatly benefit from a safe, rechargeable light source. It's a similar program to the Toms One for One model. luminAID is currently supporting the victims of the recent earthquake in Nepal, so they've added a Nepal option to the Give Light, Get Light program. Check out their recent blog post on the situation here.
Overall, it's pretty nifty (don't think I've ever used the word nifty before..) and it's a perfect present for that weird outdoorsy person in your life.
Go buy one!
(p.s. I'm not even sponsored by luminAID, I'm just obsessed..)
(p.p.s. please sponsor me, luminAID!)
