Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf's Solar Saturdays

A significant number of Filipino families still struggle living in the streets, many don't have a home to call their own or do have a home yet is lacking in the basic amenities that would provide them an adequate standard of living, such as electricity. I know how it feels because I also experienced living in far-flung place without electricity during a community service I joined several years ago. That is why, when we give them light, in many ways, we believe we give them back their lives.

The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf recognizes this need and believes that every Filipino family deserves a better life. The coffee shop celebrated Earth Day by partnering with Liter of Light, a global, grassroots movement committed to providing affordable, sustainable light to people with limited or no access to electricity. Customers of all ages acted as solar engineers by building their own solar-powered lamps for a day, in the hopes of giving the precious gift of light to those in need.

The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf’s own team members hiked to bring the newly-built solar powered lamps to the Dumagat tribe’s village in Gabaldon, Nueva Ecija. Their experiences provided an opportunity to witness first-hand the life-altering impact their initiative made on the community. 

“Light is so valuable. Without it, it is impossible for us to do anything at night. Since we don't have electricity, we sleep early. We can't work and the children cannot study,” Councilor Michael Fernando shared. 

The community was overcome with gratitude for the solar powered lamps they received.

“We are so grateful for the lights you have given us. This will always serve as a symbol of light in our hearts and minds,” expressed the community's Chieftain, Rodolfo Bendebel. 

Seeing the difference a light can make in the lives of others,

The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf was moved to launch #SolarSaturdays, a series of events that gives customers the opportunity to build their own solar powered lamps for only Php 1,000 at select stores every Saturday. Each lamp will provide a renewable source of light for an impoverished Filipino family’s home, changing the way they will see and live for years to come. At the end of the campaign, all lamps collected will be delivered by The Philippine Roadtrip and Liter of Light to communities in far-flung and off-grid areas around the Philippines.

For more information, visit The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf (Philippines) on Facebook, follow @CBTLPH @BREWPH on Instagram and Twitter.

Be the light by giving the gift of light. Email the caringcup@coffeebean.com.ph to reserve a slot. Join us for the following upcoming schedules for Solar Saturdays this September 10 at Kidzania in Bonifacio Global City; September 17 at Convergys on Ayala Avevue, and; September 24 at the U.P. Ayala Land Techno Hub.