In some countries, a lack of reliable electricity is to blame for deaths during childbirth. CNN Hero Laura Stachel is trying to change that with her <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2F2013%2F02%2F28%2Fhealth%2Fcnnheroes-stachel-solar-power%2Findex.html">"solar suitcase."</a>
Lighting the way for safe childbirths —
In some countries, a lack of reliable electricity is to blame for deaths during childbirth. CNN Hero Laura Stachel is trying to change that with her "solar suitcase."
David S. Holloway/CNN
Stachel's solar energy kits provide a free source of power for health-care facilities throughout Africa, Asia and Central America. "I realized that my skills as an obstetrician-gynecologist were utterly useless (without) something as basic as light and electricity," Stachel said.
Lighting the way for safe childbirths —
Stachel's solar energy kits provide a free source of power for health-care facilities throughout Africa, Asia and Central America. "I realized that my skills as an obstetrician-gynecologist were utterly useless (without) something as basic as light and electricity," Stachel said.
David S. Holloway/CNN
Stachel's nonprofit, <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwecaresolar.org%2F" target="_blank" target="_blank">We Care Solar</a>, has provided nearly 400 solar suitcases to facilities in 27 countries. They're being used in main hospitals as backup systems and in rural clinics as a primary source of electricity.
Lighting the way for safe childbirths —
Stachel's nonprofit, We Care Solar, has provided nearly 400 solar suitcases to facilities in 27 countries. They're being used in main hospitals as backup systems and in rural clinics as a primary source of electricity.
David S. Holloway/CNN
We Care Solar provides its solar suitcase, along with training and installation, to hospitals and clinics for free. Each solar suitcase costs $1,500, which the nonprofit funds through grants and support from partner organizations and sponsors.
Lighting the way for safe childbirths —
We Care Solar provides its solar suitcase, along with training and installation, to hospitals and clinics for free. Each solar suitcase costs $1,500, which the nonprofit funds through grants and support from partner organizations and sponsors.
Diane McCarthy/CNN
Stachel assists health-care workers in Malawi. During a two-week trip to Africa in 2008, Stachel witnessed countless times when the lives of mothers and babies were at risk simply because of a lack of reliable electricity.
Lighting the way for safe childbirths —
Stachel assists health-care workers in Malawi. During a two-week trip to Africa in 2008, Stachel witnessed countless times when the lives of mothers and babies were at risk simply because of a lack of reliable electricity.
Diane McCarthy/CNN
According to the World Health Organization, about 800 women die every day from preventable causes related to pregnancy and childbirth. And 99% of all maternal deaths occur in developing countries.
Lighting the way for safe childbirths —
According to the World Health Organization, about 800 women die every day from preventable causes related to pregnancy and childbirth. And 99% of all maternal deaths occur in developing countries.
Diane McCarthy/CNN
The solar suitcases have "shifted the morale of the health-care worker," Stachel said. "They're now excited to come to work. ... Mothers are now eager to come to the clinics."
Lighting the way for safe childbirths —
The solar suitcases have "shifted the morale of the health-care worker," Stachel said. "They're now excited to come to work. ... Mothers are now eager to come to the clinics."
Diane McCarthy/CNN
The solar suitcase includes two solar panels that are mounted on a clinic's roof and connected to high-quality LED lights. Once fully charged, it can provide light for up to 20 hours.
Lighting the way for safe childbirths —
The solar suitcase includes two solar panels that are mounted on a clinic's roof and connected to high-quality LED lights. Once fully charged, it can provide light for up to 20 hours.
David S. Holloway/CNN
Over time, the solar suitcase has become simpler in design. "We got to something that was really rugged, simple to use, portable and that we knew would really work in harsh environments," Stachel said.
Lighting the way for safe childbirths —
Over time, the solar suitcase has become simpler in design. "We got to something that was really rugged, simple to use, portable and that we knew would really work in harsh environments," Stachel said.
David S. Holloway/CNN
Stachel developed the solar suitcase with the help of Hal Aronson, her husband and a solar energy educator.
Lighting the way for safe childbirths —
Stachel developed the solar suitcase with the help of Hal Aronson, her husband and a solar energy educator.
David S. Holloway/CNN
"I really want a world where women can deliver safely and with dignity, and women don't have to fear an event that we consider a joy in this country," Stachel said. "To see birth associated with death and fear is an outrage."
Lighting the way for safe childbirths —
"I really want a world where women can deliver safely and with dignity, and women don't have to fear an event that we consider a joy in this country," Stachel said. "To see birth associated with death and fear is an outrage."
David S. Holloway/CNN
Stachel hopes her efforts will be part of a movement that makes a dent in a very big problem. "We didn't set out to transform maternal health care around the world, but it feels like this has grown to something so much bigger than I had ever imagined," she said.
Lighting the way for safe childbirths —
Stachel hopes her efforts will be part of a movement that makes a dent in a very big problem. "We didn't set out to transform maternal health care around the world, but it feels like this has grown to something so much bigger than I had ever imagined," she said.
David S. Holloway/CNN