Pilipinas Shell awards students at NXplorers: The Bright Ideas Challenge 2019

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From smart plant-watering systems to coconut powered lamps, 10 innovative solutions to the food-water-energy nexus issues were feted at this year's first NXplorers: The Bright Ideas Challenge 2019 (NX:TBIC) held last November 29 at the Ayala Mind Museum.

Nxplorers is a global education of Shell, introduced to the Philippines in 2019 to involve the youth in addressing the food-water-energy nexus issues. The systems that provide access to the three critical resources are tightly interlinked, water generates power; energy treats and transports water; and both water and energy are needed to produce food.

“Young people today are vital to ensuring the security of these resources tomorrow,” said Cesar Romero, Shell Companies in the Philippines’ country chairman. “At Shell, we believe that by teaching the youth how to critically identify and solve problems, they will be better equipped as future leaders and positive agents of change.”

With an increasing global population, the pressure to maintain stable supplies of food, water, and energy will grow. The nexus highlights a need to better understand the relationships between these resources in order to promote effective collaboration between policy makers and industry leaders.

Through a series of workshops, participants learn to explore the relationships found in the nexus, imagine how changes can affect these systems, and are then challenged to create innovative solutions that protect and maximize resources.

Winning teams

Oriental Mindoro National High School’s Team NX-US won the grand prize for creating a smart watering system that detects soil moisture content and sends users a text message with crop data.

In first place came Gusa Regional Science High School’s Team Marigold, who designed a handheld generator that produces energy by utilizing heat difference through the Seebeck effect.

The second place taken by Philippine Science High School Cagayan Valley’s Team Agribon, who built a drone that can water and spray crops with fertilizer.

Team NX-US took home P100,000, while first place’s Team Marigold and second place Team Agribon took home P70,000 and P50,000 respectively. 

Additionally, Bansud Regional Science High School’s Team Antipara and Ramon Teves Pastor Memorial Dumaguete Science High School’s Team A-Team both won merit awards of P20,000. 

The other remaining five schools were awarded P10,000 for reaching the final 10, while Team NX-US also won the people’s choice award of an additional P5,000 for winning the popular vote on the competition's online platform.

Equivalent prize money was also given to their schools’ respective STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) funding so that students have increased access to facilities and other resources that will promote better learning. 

“Innovative problem-solving needs a good understanding of how change happens,” said Romero. “Shell supports the development of local STEM education, because it will help the youth learn the creative and critical thinking skills needed to envision the future.”

NXplorers is a program that teaches a combination of systems thinking, scenario planning, and a theory of change methodology as a way of showing the youth how to understand and address increasingly complex global problems. It empowers young people to become agents of change by providing them the tools and skills to tackle real world problems. 

“This program has shown that we can engage the youth to generate ideas,” added Romero. “Young Filipino’s have so much potential to create positive change for the country, even outside NXplorers.” 

For the last 105 years of its operations in the Philippines, Pilipinas Shell has remained committed to the country’s development. As a partner in nation building, the company aims to help spur the development of local STEM education to make the future of the youth.



More  photos here.

Rev. Fr. Leo E. Schmitt wins the 29th Blessed Teresa of Calcutta Award

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Rev. Fr. Leo E. Schmitt was given the 29th Blessed Teresa of Calcutta Award held at the Yuchengco Museum, RCBC, Makati Ciity, September 26, 2016

Manila, Philippines --- Saint Teresa's life is “an epitome of grace, compassion and love”. 

Blessed Teresa of Calcutta Award (BTCA) is an annual award given to selfless individuals who have served the poorest of the poor as inspired by the life of the late Mother Teresa of Calcutta. 

The 29th Blessed Teresa of Calcutta Award (BTCA) recognizes German-Filipino priest Rev. Fr. Leo Schmitt, SVD, as this year’s winner for dedicating his life to helping the marginalized poor communities and informal settlers in the Philippines for the past 40 years. 

Rev. Fr. Leo Schmitt, SVD

Fr. Leo started his advocacy in the 1970s when the worsening economic and political situation in the country has pushed the Catholic Church to respond to the needs of the people.

He founded ‘Action Leaven,’ a non-profit organization that seeks to serve the underprivileged communities in the country, which was adopted by the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) with Fr. Leo serving as Executive Director for two years, until it was turned over to the Archdiocese of Manila.

“Though restricted by old age, Fr. Schmitt remains a vibrant and enthusiastic inspiration for all the clergy, both diocesan and religious. His life of simplicity, faithfulness, humility and pastoral service is his best contribution to the mission,” Antipolo Diocesan Bishop Gabriel Reyes describes Fr. Leo.

“Through the generosity of various organizations, Fr. Leo receive a trophy and a cash prize of Php500,000. Fr. Leo’s chosen charity will also receive a cash prize of Pho500,000, and an additional Php500,000 worth of goods and services. We believe that these gifts will go a long way in helping Fr. Leo’s chosen advocacy,” says Gio Valencia, 2016 BTCA Chairman.

Mel Aguinaldo, creative artist, designed the 2016 "Saint Teresa of Calcutta" award given to German-Filipino priest Rev. Fr. Leo E. Schmitt

This year is monumental for the BTCA organization as Mother Teresa has been declared a saint by Pope Francis on Sunday at a canonization ceremony held in Vatican City. The canonization on September 4 comes on the eve of her 19th death anniversary. 

BTCA is a joint project of the AY Foundation and the JCI Philippines-Manila, which aims to refocus the public’s attention to those who have dedicated their lives to the service of others.

Rev. Fr. LEO E. SCHMITT, SVD

Fr. Leo, the disciplinarian formator turned social worker…super energetic founder of communities and housing for the poor… with a huge heart for the poor!

He was born in Grunebach, Diocese of Trier in West Germany on May 9, 1928. He studied and was ordained in Germany in 1954. He is now 88 years old, and 62 years as a priest. He still at work, and refuses to be included among the retirees at the Villa Cristo Rey. He has indeed, done incredibly great corporal works of mercy!

After ordination, he went to England and for several years, he stayed at the St. Richard’s College for Foreign Missions before coming to the Philippines. (1958-60).

He was assigned for formation work, first at the Mary Help of Christians Diocesan Seminary in Binmaley, Pangasinan as prefect of the seminarians (1961-62).

Next, Christ the King Mission Seminary became his home for 35 years. (1962- 1997).

He was professor and prefect of the College seminarians (1962-70)

In 1970, his life changed dramatically, as he became more aware of the need to get involved in social work, a post Vatican II development. In the Philippine context, the need was more urgent because of the worsening economic and political situation. This was the time of violent activism, with the onset of the First Quarter Storm. The Church had to respond, and Fr. Leo proposed to start a project called ‘Action Leaven’, a movement for church people, to penetrate society and find out what the Church can do for the poor. The pioneer group of Leaveners was composed of 70 priests, nuns, seminarians, community organizers, engineers and agriculturist among others. It was adopted by CBCP as an experiment for the Archdiocese of Manila. Fr. Leo was its executive Director for 2 years, before it was turned over to the Archdiocese. The timing was unfortunate, because when Martial Law was declared by Marcos in 1972, social work was greatly hampered by government policies. Fr. Leo, however, had been magnetized to work with the poor.

Shortly after leaving the Action Leaven, some 800 families sought his help after being forced to leave the depressed community of Pleasant Hills, Mandaluyong. He was thrown into the herculean task of looking for a relocation site for the squatter community. Together with 2 SVD confreres, 2 sisters and 5 laymen, Fr. Leo created a foundation possessing a legal personality that would address the problem of informal settlers. On September 28, 1971, the SAMAHANG BAGONG BUHAY FOUNDATION INCORPORATION (SBBFI) was formally registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission as a non-stock and non-profit corporation.

From the time of the foundation’s birth, many housing projects were built: San Antonio Village in Antipolo; San Jose Freinademetz Subdivision in Cogeo, Antipolo; Janssenville Subdivision in Cainta, Rizal; San Agustin Village in Antipolo; San Lorenzo Ruiz in Bulacan and Antipolo; St. Francis Square, Payong, which is also in Antipolo.

Originally, Janssenville was part of the St. Anthony of Padua Parish. When the canonization of the then Blessed Arnold became certain in 2002, Fr. Leo approached the bishop about the plan of making Janssenville the seat of a new parish to be named after the SVD founder. It was eventually approved that a new parish should be erected “to thank St. Arnold for the services of his congregations to the Church, in particular to the Diocese of Antipolo and to promote his virtues.” On 30th of November, 2003 the St. Arnold Janssen Parish was canonically erected. It was the first and only permanent religious parish in the Diocese of Antipolo. On January 15, 2004, Fr. Leo was installed as its first parish priest.

The diocesan bishop of Antipolo, Gabriel Reyes, says, “though restricted by old age, Fr. Schmitt remains a vibrant and enthusiastic inspiration for all the clergy...both diocesan and religious. His life of simplicity, faithfulness, humility and pastoral service is his best contribution for mission.”

Fr. Schmitt renounced his German citizenship and embraced Filipino citizenship to show his commitment in alleviating the pangs of poverty and homelessness among the poor Filipinos. Truly, he is an SVD who not only shared the vision of St. Arnold Janssen, he has also lived a life in mission.

The Society of the Divine Word Philippine Central Province gave the ST. ARNOLD JANSSEN MISSION AWARD to Fr. Leo in 2014, in recognition of his exemplary efforts in integrating and concretizing Mission as vision and action.

Today, Fr. Leo asserts that, “You cannot go wrong if you work on the premise of a Christian value and the development of the total person.” Indeed, Janssenville and the other communities founded by Fr. Leo and the Samahang Bagong Buhay Foundation remains a strong source of hope and inspiration in their community building and the upliftment of every person’s dignity.

(Source: SVD Mission Phlippines, Inc. – Steve Villarosa)

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About A.Y. Foundation, Inc.

The AY Foundation Inc. is a YGC member, tracing back its roots to the Bayanihan Foundation set up in 1970 by Amb. Alfonso T. Yuchengco to administer an educational fund for the children of Grepalife employees and sales associates. It has then evolved to support health related projects, inspire youth to exemplify the virtues of discipline, integrity, self-sacrifice, and courage and instills social responsibility involvement among them. For more information, please visit www.ayfoundation.com.ph or call (+632) 894.9000 or drop by 48F Yuchengco Tower RCBC Plaza 6819 Ayala Avenue, Makati City

About JCI Philippines

JCI Philippines is part of a leading global network that of young active citizens that aims to provide development opportunities that empower young people to create positive change in their communities to build as one. For more information, please visit www.jci.org.ph or call (+632) 374.4138, email at info@jci.org.ph or drop by 14 Don A. Roces Avenue, 1103 Quezon City

About JCI Philippines-Manila

JCI Manila is the first and premier leadership organization established not only in the Philippines but also in Asia, where young men join to become better leaders. The organization believes that it is through reaching out to others that you learn more about yourself. 

For more information, please visit www.jcimanila.org or call (+632) 525.6791 or email clubhouse@jcimanila.org

Manny Pacquiao is Asia Society’s 2015 Asia Game Changer

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Manny Pacquiao

Photo credits: Ethan Miller/Getty Images

Boxing legend and humanitarian Manny Pacquiao named 2015 Asia Game Changer of the Year; awardees will be honored at Asia Game Changer Awards Dinner and Celebration at the U.N. on October 13, 2015.

Asia Society today announced the 2015 Asia Game Changers, recognizing those making a transformative and positive difference for the future of Asia and the world. Manny Pacquiao will be honored as the 2015 Asia Game Changer of the Year, following in the footsteps of Alibaba CEO Jack Ma, who took the honor in 2014.

"The Asia Game Changer Awards address the lack of recognition for Asians who are transforming ideas into action and improving lives," said Asia Society President Josette Sheeran. "This year's honorees could not be more different from one another. They include a group of scientists, a comedian, a dancer, a fighter pilot and a boxer. What they share in common is that they all fight for a better today and inspire the world to do things differently."

While all honorees received widespread support, "one individual rose to the top of our list," said Sheeran. "Manny Pacquiao achieved his remarkable success after a childhood of extreme hunger and poverty. Today, Manny is a major humanitarian force, directing his philanthropy toward numerous causes, including education and the fight against human trafficking. He is a remarkable inspiration and demonstrates the power of giving back to transform people's lives."

Pacquiao and the other honorees will attend the Asia Game Changer Awards Dinner and Celebration at the United Nations on October 13, 2015. Pacquiao will also address the gathering. Among the Asia Society trustees presenting the awards will be Citi CEO, Global Consumer Banking Stephen Bird; renowned opera singer Renee Fleming; Pepsi Co Chairman and CEO Indra K. Nooyi; veteran broadcaster Charlie Rose; former Australian Prime Minister and President of the Asia Society Policy Institute Kevin Rudd; and Asia Society Co-Chairs Ronnie C. Chan and Henrietta H. Fore. The evening will also feature a special live performance by global music movement Playing For Change, recipient of the 2014 Asia Game Changer award.

Honorees are selected through a global survey of more than 1,000 thought leaders. The 2015 awardees are:

Asia Game Changer of the Year: Manny Pacquiao (The Philippines)

Humanitarian, world-famous boxing champion, and member of the Philippines House of Representatives For using his sport, and his star power, as sources for good

Isamu Akasaki, Hiroshi Amano, and Shuji Nakamura (Japan)

2014 Nobel Laureates in Physics and inventors of a new energy-efficient light source — the blue LED For lighting our world in a groundbreaking and sustainable way

Chanda Kochhar (India)

CEO of ICICI Bank and the first woman to head an Indian bank

For breaking the glass ceiling, transforming an industry, and empowering the masses

Lei Jun (China)

Founder & CEO of Xiaomi, China's leading smartphone vendor For changing the game of communication in China and beyond

Li Cunxin (Australia/China)

Artistic Director of the Queensland Ballet, known as "Mao's Last Dancer" For his art, his courage, and his cultural diplomacy

Aasif Mandvi (United States/India)

Comedian, activist and powerful spokesperson for Muslims and Asian Americans For using comedy to challenge perceptions, and work for good

Mariam al-Mansouri (United Arab Emirates)

Fighter pilot, UAE Air Force and role model for women throughout the Arab world For battling stereotypes, and terror, from the air

Kiran Bir Sethi (India)

Founder, Design for Change and The Riverside School, and champion of youth volunteerism For empowering children to change the world

In 2014, in addition to Jack Ma and Playing for Change, other Asia Game Changers were Japanese architect Shigeru Ban; Pratham co-founder and CEO Madhav Chavan; My Shelter Foundation and Liter of Light founder Lilac Diaz; the charitable organization Fashion Girls for Humanity; former Indonesian Minister and disaster relief specialist Kuntoro Mangkusubroto; MOBY Group chairman Saad Mohseni; Acumen CEO Jacqueline Novogratz; Pakistani filmmaker Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy; groundbreaking neuroscientist Pawan Sinha; education activist Malala Yousafzai; and Chinese education reformer Zhang Minxuan.

More information about the 2015 awardees, including bios, and the October 13 event is available at AsiaSociety.org/GameChangers. 

Members of the media should email jenny.rockett@asiasociety.org.ph for details.

Asia Society is pleased to have Citi as the underwriting partner for the 2015 Asia Game Changer Awards and Dinner and Philippine Airlines as its Asia Game Changer Award Sponsor for Game Changer of the Year.

Other Information: 

Asia Society Philippines aims to strengthen relationships, deepen understanding and bridge differences across the Philippines, Asia and the United States. It develops cross-sector programs that bring together peoples, leaders and institutions to promote understanding of Asia, across the fields of policy, business leadership, education and arts and culture. Part of a global network of 11 Asia Society centers in Asia and the United States, Asia Society Philippines is dedicated in helping to create a more collaborative and shared future for Asia, especially encouraging dialogue and fostering new partnerships.

Asia Society Philippines Trustees: Washington SyCip, Founding Chairman; Doris Magsaysay Ho, Chair; Jorge L. Araneta, Joselito D. Campos, Jr., Teresita Sy-Coson, Frederick Y. Dy, Jaime Enrique Y. Gonzalez, Oscar M. Lopez, Atty. Ricardo J. Romulo, Edward A. Tortorici, Luis J.L Virata, Fernando Zobel de Ayala.

About Asia Society

Asia Society is the leading educational organization dedicated to promoting mutual understanding and strengthening partnerships among peoples, leaders and institutions of Asia and the United States in a global context. Across the fields of arts, business, culture, education, and policy, the Society provides insight, generates ideas, and promotes collaboration to address present challenges and create a shared future.

Founded in 1956 by John D. Rockefeller 3rd, Asia Society is a nonpartisan, nonprofit institution with headquarters in New York, centers in Hong Kong and Houston, and offices in Los Angeles, Manila, Mumbai, San Francisco, Seoul, Shanghai, Sydney, and Washington, DC.

Epson RIPS Technology wins BLI Outstanding Achievemt in Innovation Award

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Epson recently announced that its Replaceable Ink Pack System (RIPS) technology had been recognized by Buyers Laboratory LLC (BLI), a leading provider of independent information to the imaging industry, with the Outstanding Achievement in Innovation Award for the summer 2015 test season. The awards are made to companies that provide something new to the market and set new standards and goals to which others can aspire.

Used with Epson’s acclaimed series of WorkForce Pro Replaceable Ink Pack Printers, RIPS technology solves many of the issues associated with office printing by using super-high-yield ink supply units for printing up to 75,000* pages between ink changes. The result of this is less wasted time and resources, and predictable print costs.

In its citation, BLI noted that printers using the technology achieved:

· Phenomenally high tested yields for all colors. 

· Ultra-long-life consumables, which help maintain office productivity and reduce pain points for IT administration. 

· User-friendly replacement and maintenance procedures.

· Compact and low waste packaging advantage, which will suit space-constrained office environments.

“The super-high ink yields offered by the Epson RIPS are a game-changer in the office marketplace, drastically reducing office user consumable replacement frequencies and negating the need for spare sets of toners or inks on site which take up valuable space,” noted David Sweetnam, BLI’s director of research and lab services in Europe. “The ultra-long life supplies will also be an attractive proposition for suppliers offering ‘all inclusive’ contracts, greatly reducing logistics costs and headaches associated with keeping clients stocked with supplies at all times.”

“We are proud to receive the BLI ‘Outstanding Achievement in Innovation’ award for WorkForce Pro RIPS,” said Yoshiro Nagafusa, general manager for printer sales at Seiko Epson. “According to BLI’s independent tests, WorkForce Pro RIPS models can deliver up to 75,000 pages of uninterrupted high-quality print without the need to replace consumables, in addition to using far less energy and generating less waste than laser competitors."

“Epson believes that inkjet printing now demonstrates clear advantages over laser in the office, and offers efficiencies to businesses of all sizes. We will continue to promote this shift,” commented Nagafusa.

BLI also named the Epson WorkForce Pro WF-8590 as this summer’s Outstanding A3 Low- to Mid-Volume Business Inkjet All-in-One, and the Epson WorkForce Pro WF-R8590 as the Outstanding A3 Mid- to High-Volume Business Inkjet All-in-One.

* Using an A3 model. Yields are based on simulations generated after testing with ISO/IEC24711 measurement methodology using ISO/IEC 24712 patterns and calculated using Epson’s methodology. Yields may vary for reasons including images printed, documents printed, printing frequency and printing environment.

Find out more about Epson printing technology:

http://global.epson.com/innovation/core_technology/micro_piezo.html

Note that Epson products and services vary by region. Please refer to your local Epson sales company for details of products and services available in your region:

http://global.epson.com/web_sites.html

Making people happy with Happiest Pinoy Search

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Cebuana Lhuillier's Search for the Happiest Pinoy aims to find and recognize the country’s most optimistic and resilient Filipinos despite life’s challenges in the hopes of inspiring other people to do the same. 

Here's featuring one winner who is very thankful for being recognized by Cebuana Lhuillier as the Happiest Pinoy two years ago and shares that nowadays, his loved ones and endeavours are what keeps him inspired, thankful and happy in life. Still happy to make people happy.

Rommel Arellano with General Manager of Cebuana Lhuillier
Insurance Solutions Jonathan Batangan

Rommel Arellano is not your average person. At the age of 1, he was stricken withpoliomyelitis. Since then, his only means of walking and moving about were his arms and hands covered with slippers. Instead of wallowing in self-pity, Rommel brushed off discrimination and determined to accomplish feats even able-bodied people would find challenging. This included becoming successful in different jobs—from working as aninsurance agent, disc jockey, emcee, singer and musician, to being a call center agent, resource speaker and school guidance counselor. But these accomplishments pale in comparison to the greatest achievement Rommel has so far done—help other people despite his condition, influencing them to be optimistic despite problems and infecting them with a positive attitude and a profound sense of happiness. 

Rommel Arellano during his acceptance speech at the 2nd Happiest Pinoy awards

“My family, friends, and my organization are truly the things that I am thankful for. These are the things that keep me doing and loving what I do.” Today, the 37-year-old native of Limay, Bataan still works as a counsellor at the Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office, providing guidance and advice for abused, neglected, battered, and disabled people. He is also the president of the Organization of Persons with Disability in his community. 

“I still make people happy by sharing my life’s struggles and victory. Every time I talk to people, and I see them smile, I know that I have somehow eased their burden and that smile could be a sign of hope.” With the upcoming Cebuana Lhuiller’s Search for the Happiest Pinoy 2014, Rommel believes there will never be a shortage of nominees to the country’s happiest competition. 

“Filipinos are known for being survivors despite various circumstances. We also have an unwavering faith in God that lets us move mountains. These are enough inspiration to make us happy.”

This feat has won for Rommel the Search for the Happiest Pinoy award in 2012 and the grand prize of P250,000 cash.

RM awardee, Internet Hall of Famer to talk with youth

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In a mountainous village in Nepal, a teenager is huddled in front of a computer screen, busy surfing the Internet. Instead of playing DotA (Defense of the Ancients) or checking Facebook, this young person is sifting through an online library. In a rural town clinic, health workers are receiving live online trainings from Model Hospital in Kathmandu. In a remote farm, a man is transacting for a buffalo with another farmer miles away via the Internet.

These scenes are repeated every day in over 170 towns all over Nepal, thanks to the efforts of one man: Mahabir Pun, educator, Internet pioneer, and 2007 Ramon Magsaysay Awardee for Community Leadership.

Mahabir Pun received the 2007 Ramon Magsaysay Award for Community Leadership, the board of trustees recognizes his innovative application of wireless computer technology in Nepal, bringing progress to remote mountain areas by connecting his village to the global village.

Earlier this month, Pun was also inducted into the Internet Hall of Fame. This recognizes his work in connecting rural Himalayan villages to free wireless Internet and the many benefits it is bringing to millions Nepalese rural villagers in many aspects, including health, education, and trade.

“ICT as a Tool for Education”

Fresh from this new international accolade, Pun will arrive in Manila on April 28. His first engagement upon arrival will be with the Ramon Magsaysay Award Foundation (RMAF)--the organization that bestows Asia’s premier prize . He will be the guest speaker at a GOS (Greatness of Spirit) Ambassadors Kapihan Session titled “An Afternoon with Mahabir Pun: ICT as a Tool for Education” on April 28, starting at 2:00pm.

As the head and founder of the Nepal Wireless Networking Project (NWNP), Pun now shares with the world the story of his work, the development and evolution of information and communication technology (ICT) in Nepal. He also talks about how NWNP is helping provide internet access, electronic commerce, education, telemedicine, and environmental and agricultural services to remote villages in the country.

About 40 guests, consisting of guests from the World Bank, GOS Ambassadors, ICT Association of the Philippines, and the media, are expected to attend the session live.

The event can also be viewed live online at http://www.rmaf.org.ph/newrmaf/main/community/ustream

On April 29-30, Pun will also speak at the launch of the joint Asian Development Bank/International Telecommunication Union initiative on information and communication technology for the Asia Pacific region. The two-day event will be hosted by the Philippine government and its Department of Science and Technology.

For more information or inquiries, contact Social Media Manager Mr. Yuri Baral at ybaral@rmaf.org.ph or 521-3166 loc 128.

Magsaysay Awardees Hande, Mishra collaborate to electrify rural India

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Two Indians, Harish Hande and Nileema Mishra, both 2011 Ramon Magsaysay awardees, are connecting their respective solutions to bring affordable solar energy to rural villages in India.

“Today at least 1.6 billion people lack access to reliable energy services. But to reach them in a sustainable manner, diverse delivery models have to be developed, as there is not going to be a one-size-fits-all solution,” said Hande in an article for The Climate Group.

This year, Hande’s SELCO India and Mishra’s Bhagini Nivedita Gramin Vigyan Niketan (BNGVN), as well as the Small-Scale Sustainable Infrastructure Development Fund (S3IDF) are partnering to provide solar home-lighting systems in 700 households. 

They will bring their transformative solutions for sustainable energy to some of rural India’s off-the-electricity-grid villages under The Climate Group’s Bijli-Clean Energy Program. The program aims to bring marginalized communities onto the energy access map and to create a program that is environmentally and financially sustainable.

SELCO India’s partnership with S3IDF and BNGVN “will establish a long-term revolving fund that creates a channel of end user financing, to help establish an entire ecosystem of technology and financial support to the rural customer which can be highly replicable,” according to a write-up in theclimategroup.org. It will provide decentralized clean energy in Maharashtra, India’s Nandurbar district, in whose outskirts households typically use kerosene lanterns to light their homes because they are not connected to the national electric grid. These inefficient kerosene lamps are environmentally hazardous and expensive, and they can pose significant health issues to the rural villagers.

Both Mishra and Hande became recipients of the Ramon Magsaysay Award for their work of empowering people from rural areas. Mishra’s BNGVN enabled villagers with the capacity to provide means to livelihood and have a self-sustaining ecosystem, while Hande’s SELCO India enhanced the quality of life of underserved households and livelihoods through affordable, sustainable energy solutions.