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WAKAWAKA LAUNCHES CES® 2016 SOCIAL CAMPAIGN - SHARE A PHOTO TO BRING LIGHT TO REFUGEES AND DISPLACED FAMILIES
For every photo shared with your eyes closed using the hashtag, #SharetheSun, a WakaWaka light will be donated to the IRC to support families caught in crisis

New York, NY - January 4, 2016 - WakaWaka, a global social enterprise that develops, manufactures and markets the world’s most efficient solar-powered flashlights and chargers, is kicking off CES® 2016 with its #SharetheSun social campaign from January 4-10. The initiative drives awareness and support for families caught in crisis using the power of social media and technology: share a photo to share the sun.

During CES® week, for every image shared with your eyes closed and hashtagged #SharetheSun on Instagram or Twitter, WakaWaka will donate one solar flashlight (up to 1,000 lights) to the International Rescue Committee (IRC) to support families caught in crisis and living without access to electricity. WakaWaka encourages participants to “tag-it-forward” by tagging friends to share photos, continue the conversation and give light to those in need.

“We’re thrilled to invite everyone at CES and the public to join the #SharetheSun movement through the use of social media to bring light to thousands of refugees and displaced people around the world,” said WakaWaka CEO, Jehmu Greene. “WakaWaka has become synonymous with safe, sustainable and clean solar solutions that serve both developed and developing countries: the same premium, high-quality products for all markets.”

More than 60 million people around the world have been forced to flee their homes because of humanitarian crises. #SharetheSun asks people to close their eyes and imagine what it’s like to live in the dark, without access to light and power. With one photo, you can bring light and hope to those in need.

“Our brand is all about making a difference and creating impact,” said Camille van Gestel, WakaWaka co-founder. “We would like to raise awareness about the plight of refugees and to help spark change as the technology industry and leaders gather at CES. This issue has been close to our hearts and minds for years. WakaWaka’s giving partner, the International Rescue Committee, has told us that WakaWakas are the most valued non-food items in Syrian refugee camps, a lifeline, a means of communicating and connecting, and a source of light and empowerment for families torn apart by civil war and strife.”

WakaWaka's previous relief efforts include providing light and power to Syrian refugees and victims of the Haiti earthquake, Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines and the Ebola outbreak. Founded in 1933, the International Rescue Committee responds to the world’s worst humanitarian crises and helps people survive and rebuild their lives in 40 countries around the world.

WakaWaka will be located at Sands Expo, Tech West, Halls A-C #73369, from January 6-9, where CES® attendees can view their suite of portable solar-powered products, learn more about the brand’s impact and participate in the #SharetheSun campaign. WakaWaka’s lineup of products includes the Power+, a compact solar-powered charger + flashlight; the Light, a solar-powered LED flashlight; and the Base 5, an all-in-one compact solar power kit -- all available at waka-waka.com.

For more information about WakaWaka’s #SharetheSun social campaign at CES, visit waka-waka.com/sharethesun, and to view the press kit, visit: http://ces.vporoom.com/WakaWaka

About WakaWaka
WakaWaka, which means “shine bright” in Swahili, is an award-winning social enterprise on a mission to end energy poverty by sharing the abundant power of the sun with more than a billion people worldwide who don’t have the luxury of a light switch and another billion who don’t have reliable access. The company develops, manufactures and markets premium, top-performing solar-powered flashlights and chargers. To date, WakaWaka has helped bring power and light to more than one million people living without access to electricity. WakaWaka’s Share the Sun model seeks to end reliance on toxic kerosene. Replacing kerosene lamps with WakaWaka solar flashlights has a critical, large-scale effect on health, safety, education, community and economic development, particularly in remote regions, disaster-struck or war-torn areas. For every WakaWaka purchased, one light is given to a family caught in crisis. Visit waka-waka.com and follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram (@wakawakalight).

 

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Thao Le
714.369.7460
thao@madesociety.co

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