One of the things we consider basic and essential in our daily lives is electricity. We often see it not as a privilege but as a guaranteed right. However, this is far from reality, as millions of people living in extreme poverty go without this vital resource every day.
In Colombia, there is an organization committed to restoring dignity to those most in need, allowing them to enjoy the benefits of electricity regardless of where they live. It’s estimated that 10% of Colombia’s rural population does not have access to traditional energy, and unfortunately, this is closely linked to the lack of access to clean water, healthcare, and education. Having electricity at home is not just about charging your phone or watching your favorite TV show at 8 p.m.—living without electricity deeply impacts the chances of achieving a decent quality of life and breaking the cycle of poverty. The absence of electricity limits opportunities and hinders community development. Without electricity, how can vaccines be properly refrigerated? How can economic development—businesses and entrepreneurship—thrive and, in turn, generate jobs for people in a given region?
One of the main reasons for this delay in a country like Colombia is its diverse and rugged geography, but perhaps the most decisive factor over the decades has been the internal armed conflict, which has especially affected rural populations and hindered progress in many areas far from the Colombian capital—such as Vichada, Amazonas, Guainía, Caquetá, and Cauca, to name a few.
Fortunately, today there are solutions that are increasingly affordable for underprivileged communities and require less infrastructure to provide access to energy—solar panels being one of them.
This is where the Bogotá-based Sunpath Foundation comes into play. With the motto “Empowering Colombian communities with sustainable energy,” the foundation—through the support of companies and individuals—aims to bring sustainable energy solutions to rural and marginalized communities, helping them grow and break the cycle of poverty.
The foundation offers support across three core areas:
(a) Energy Solutions,
(b) Community Development, and
(c) Entrepreneurship Support.
In the area of Energy Solutions, they help install solar panels, configure electrical networks, and support energy efficiency technologies. Under Community Development, they provide training on health-related topics, promote wellness initiatives, and carry out infrastructure projects. The final mission pillar, Entrepreneurship Support, focuses on business training, mentorship programs, and micro-financing services.
It’s not just about turning on a light—it’s about lighting the path to a better tomorrow.
We’re sharing the link to the foundation so you can join this powerful initiative and learn more about their projects.