Jewish NGO Serves 250,000 in East Africa

By JTA June 4, 2012

Jewish Heart for Africa is now serving 250,000 people in East Africa with Israeli technologies.

The New York-based organization announced the milestone in conjunction with the expected completion of its 57th project later this month. Founded in 2008 by Sivan Borowich Ya’ari, Jewish Heart for Africa has used Israeli solar and agricultural technologies to assist rural villages in Ethiopia, Tanzania, Malawi and Uganda.

“In these villages, solar technology isn’t an alternative energy source, it’s the only energy source,”Ya’ari said in a statement. “Powering a refrigerator, or even a light bulb, can save lives.”

Israel began offering solar technology know-how to Africa as early as 1960, when a team of African scientists visited the Weizmann Institute in Rehovot.

Jewish Heart for Africa announced its goal of doubling the number of people it serves within the next two years.

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