Since 2013, JELA has been collaborating with Panasonic Holdings Corporation to provide solar lanterns to people in Cambodia and India. For villages without electricity, solar lanterns serve as a beacon of hope that illuminates people’s lives. As a part of the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative, Panasonic Holdings Corporation donated 300 solar lanterns to support Cambodia this year.
On April 3rd , 2026, a “Solar Lantern Donation Ceremony” organized by JELA Foundation and their Cambodian partner, Lutheran Hope Cambodia Organization (LHCO), was held in Ko Dongtei Village, in the Aoral District of Kompong Speu Province, with 100 people in attendance.
Tsunekazu Maeda, Representative Director of Panasonic Cambodia and members of his staff were in attendance, while JELA Board member Dr. Lowell Gretebeck and JELA General Manager Shimpei Narabu attended from Japan.
During the ceremony, senior officials from the Aoral District expressed their gratitude to Panasonic, JELA, and LHCO. Additionally, the Ko Dongtei Village leader spoke on behalf of the villagers to express their appreciation for the solar lanterns.
The 300 solar lanterns donated on this occasion have been allocated as follows: 96 to Kompong Speu Province, 100 to Pursat Province, and 104 to Battambang Province. The lanterns were distributed to people who live in areas without electricity or who have difficulty accessing electricity.
Follow-up surveys conducted after the donation of solar lanterns have reported various benefits, including increased family time in the evenings, longer study hours for children, health benefits (as they do not use combustible fuels as a light source, there is no air pollution), and income generation through nighttime business activities.
For a detailed report (PDF/Japanese translation) prepared by Dr. Lowell Gretebeck for Panasonic, please click here.