Used batteries are sometimes often used in homes to power appliances such as radios and TVs and to bridge the frequent power cuts until it is completely un-rechargeable. Generally, the level of awareness of the environmental and health effects of discarded lead acid battery is very low in Eastern Africa. The presence of lead acid batteries in homes – particularly poor homes – increases environmental and health risks and complicates the ability to collect and responsibly recycle the waste. For this reason, EIO carried out a major project to wean off grid communities from reliance on old car batteries to light their homes or power their television sets. EIO established contacts with solar energy home lighting products (D Light and Barefoot) who provided lighting products to be sold to the most venerable community at very low costs. This project trained 450 youths to sell solar lighting products in more than 25 Counties in Kenya. It created 150 businesses from start-up micro enterprise to small shops selling solar lanterns and other products. We are still known today as the match-makers between communities and such products. This project was supported by several private sector players such as Barclays Bank PLC and Total Kenya.