Jewish Heart for Africa is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization that brings sustainable Israeli technologies to rural African villages. Since the launch of Project Sol in 2008, they have completed more than 38 solar projects in Ethiopia, Tanzania, Uganda and Malawi, providing light to schools, clinics and water pumping systems. Over 150,000 people have received light from their solar panels, and 75,000 children have received properly stored vaccinations for the first time thanks to their solar refrigerators.

Mission

• Improve rural African education, agriculture and medical care using Israeli technologies.
• Build positive relationships between Israel and its African neighbors.
• Support Israel’s alternative energy industry.

Jewish Heart for Africa works with Israeli companies because they offer cost-effective, innovative technologies in close proximity to East Africa. Outside grants and foundations support their operating costs, allowing 100% of individual donations to go directly towards project costs.

Leadership

Born in Israel and raised in Nice, France, founder and President Sivan Borowich Ya’ari first traveled to Africa as a part of her work for a multinational clothing company. After receiving her Masters in International Energy Management and Policy from Columbia University, Borowich Ya’ari returned to Africa to work with the United Nations Development Program (UNDP). It was there that she founded the organization in January 2008, and launched the organization’s first projects.

Project Sol

Project Sol is Jewish Heart for Africa’s first initiative. Using solar technologies from Israel, they provide electricity to African schools, medical clinics, and water pumping systems. Light in classrooms provides students and adults with a place to study at night along with electricity for radio and computer use. In medical clinics, the solar powered refrigerators store thousands of vaccines to immunize children against preventable disease. Their solar powered water pumping systems provide over 20,000 liters of clean water per day to African people living in drought.

Project Agro

Project Agro is the organization’s second initiative. Project Agro uses Israeli agricultural practices such as drip irrigation to make agriculture possible in regions of drought. This no-waste irrigation system prevents water run-off and evaporation in the field. It provides a regular source of food for villagers as well as a source of income for local farmers.

US Programs

Jewish Heart for Africa also offers a range of educational and social programming in the United States. They hold regular presentations about the challenges facing African development and the power of Israeli technologies to help.