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Impact Story

Empowering Indigenous Communities

Indigenous communities often shoulder a disproportionate burden when it comes to the impacts of climate change and are also one of the first groups to feel the effects of a changing climate. While they only make up a small percentage of the US population and a comparatively small contribution of total planet-warming emissions, Indigenous communities have long been at the forefront of the clean energy transition and efforts to implement climate solutions.

For the Lumbee Regional Development Association (LRDA) – a private nonprofit in Pembroke, North Carolina, founded by tribal leaders seeking to bring much-needed social, educational, and economic services to Lumbee members – going solar will deliver meaningful cost savings that will be reinvested into their community in the form of education and workforce development programs. In partnership with Eagle Solar and Light, Sunwealth developed solar on top of LRDA’s roof, which is the first solar installation on a building associated with a state recognized tribe in North Carolina. This installation will reduce 1,826 tons of carbon over its lifetime, save $51,000 in lifetime energy, and generate 76 kW of clean power.

Impact Story

Fighting fire with finance

The Forest Resilience Bond funds a forest restoration project protecting 15,000 acres of forestland in the North Yuba River, CA watershed using ecologically based tree thinning, meadow restoration, prescribed burning, and invasive species management—all specifically designed to reduce the risk of severe fire, improve watershed health, and protect water resources.

Impact Story

A Mango Farmer in Peru

Carlos Ochoa has worked in agriculture for over 20 years as a farmer and owns the Santa Rosa farm in Peru. His entire family, including his four children, are dedicated to agriculture as farming is the family tradition. Before purchasing the farmland using his savings, Carlos rented the property. Today the farm employs about 40 workers during harvesting season.

Carlos explained the challenges of farming and how he became a mango farmer. “Before, I grew rice, and now I grow mangos. Before there was more water, so we sowed rice, all of this area was filled with rice paddies. Now, we have water shortages and because of that I grow mangos instead and the entire harvest is exported to Europe and Asia.”

“For the future, I hope to keep growing trees and maintaining the soil quality, and perhaps buy a larger fumigation tank. We get loans every year, and it helps us to work and improve the plantation. It helps us to keep it in good condition and improve the furrows and the roads.”

Photo credit: Robi Bosch for BlueOrchard

Impact Story

Mr. Guardado becomes a first-time homeowner

At the age of 25, Mr. Guardado achieved the remarkable milestone of becoming a homeowner, a goal he once deemed impossible. At college, he had the opportunity to connect with representatives from Affordable Homes of South Texas, Inc. (AHSTI), who gave him information about their housing programs. He discovered that AHSTI also catered to Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) beneficiaries, which meant he didn't have to delay his aspirations any longer. This opportunity allowed him to take a significant step towards purchasing a home for himself and his family. Mr. Guardado's living situation became urgent, as their current home exposed them to hardships associated with changing weather conditions.

Reflecting on his journey, Mr. Guardado described the experience as truly gratifying. As a DACA recipient, he never anticipated receiving such comprehensive assistance and care. He was initially apprehensive about what to expect and admitted to feeling fearful. However, on the day of the closing, he found the whole experience surreal. The prospect of a better life and a brighter future filled him and his family with hope. Mr. Guardado expressed profound gratitude to AHSTI, concluding his interview by saying, "Thank you, AHSTI." This transformative experience has left him more knowledgeable about the responsibilities and joys of homeownership.

Learn more about Mr. Guardado's story.

Impact Story

Bboxx provides reliable power to small business owners

Bboxx, a next generation utility, is an industry leader and global pioneer of Pay-As-You-Go solar home systems and clean cooking stove solutions. The organization works across the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Rwanda, Togo, Kenya, Nigeria, and Burkina Faso, improving the accessibility of clean cooking and solar home systems to low-income households. Africa Go Green’s (AGG) loan will help provide accessible commercial solutions to address complexities with distribution and limited customer purchasing power. AGG’s support will contribute to the mitigation of an estimated 760,000 tons of CO2, the equivalent of 150,000 passenger cars driven regularly for a year.

Chikuru Bwinika Garcia (above) is a business owner who uses Bboxx Cook to fulfill orders from her clients. With the new Bboxx product, Chikuru can now take orders from her customers in the mornings and have them ready for distribution by the evening.

Photo credits: Bboxx Limited