We are extremely excited to report that D.light has officially surpassed one million lives impacted through our solar lighting products. In the less than three years since our founding, we have sold hundreds of thousands of solar lanterns in over 30 countries around the world.

This means one million people are able to work more productively at night, are able to study and read more, and are able to breathe cleaner air, all thanks to the Nova, Solata and Kiran. See our official media release here.

While we celebrate this huge milestone, we also recognize that we have a long way to go to reach the 1.6 billion people without electricity and to fully eradicate kerosene. That's why D.light is committed to continuing to push the envelope in product design, sales and distribution to reach as many people as possible in the coming years. We hope you'll continue to join us for the exciting ride ahead!

Each year, the World Economic Forum selects a number of young leaders under the age of 40 from around the world, based on their professional accomplishments, commitment to society and potential to contribute to shaping the future of the world. In 2010, the Forum selected 197 Young Global Leaders from 72 countries around the world, including our very own Sam Goldman. We consider this an honor for the entire D.light team, as we are now included in a network of highly influential leaders for today and tomorrow. Read more about Sam's selection in our media release.

Even as the Kiran continues to receive rave reviews from our customers throughout the world, it is also making waves among the most prestigious international design circles. You may remember that the Kiran was already awarded a Spark Design Award in late 2009. Recently, the Kiran was also given a Consumer Product Design Award by Design Week. (Our co-winner in the Design Week competition was the iPod Nano.) In both competitions, the Kiran competed with hundreds of entries from around the world. We're exceedingly proud of these recognitions, as they demonstrate that products developed for base-of-the-pyramid markets can be functional, affordable, and beautiful. Congratulations to our Product Design team!

Recently our staff in Tanzania met with Mrs. Fatuma Juma, a restaurant owner, mother, and grandmother, who purchased a D.light Solata nearly one year ago. This is what she had to share about using the Solata in her restaurant and her home:

I use the Solata for the whole night; it stays lit the whole night. I use it in my restaurant. Many people like the light, and as a result come here to eat. The Solata is 100% safe during the night, so even my grandchild can walk around without any problem.

I have reduced my use of kerosene, which has helped me save Tsh 200 every day [$0.14USD per day, or over $4USD per month]. We get so much light from one light. It's like we have electricity now!