Empathy is one of the most important values I try to instill in my children. I think it's really critical for their healthy social and emotional development to learn to understand someone else's situation, even if it's completely different to theirs.

Getting my children involved in social causes has helped me raise their awareness on the needs and feelings of other less fortunate kids. Today I'm going to tell you all about the Give Brighter campaign by Direct Energy and MPOWERD, which has been a very enriching family experience for me and my children.

Did you know that more than 1.5 billion people in the world in developing communities don't have access to energy sources?

For these communities, family time gets lost in the dark. When the sun goes down, millions of children that attend rural schools are not able to finish their homework or studies.

Direct Energy and MPOWERD joined forces through the Give Brighter campaign so they could send solar Luci Light to these communities and change the lives of million of children and families.

MPOWERD created the solar Luci light, which is waterproof, lasts up to 12 hours and since it’s inflatable, it can be easily transported to remote communities. When people receive it in these communities, they just have to inflate it, charge it with sunlight, and surround themselves with a light of hope when the night falls.

How can you help?

By signing up to Direct Energy's 12-month fixed plan, a Lucy light will be sent to a community in need and another one to your home.

When I received my Lucy light, I took it as the perfect opportunity to heighten the value of empathy on my children by finishing our daily activities with just one Lucy light. Let me tell you it was really challenging, however, the whole experience made them a little bit more sensible on understanding how a light like this one can bring a brighter future to millions of children and their families.

So, now you know, with the new Give Brighter 12 plan from Direct Energy, you can help bring light and hope to many communities in need around the world.

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