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This is Chris Redgrave for Zions Bank Speaking on Business.
Robert Workman's determination to inspire human potential is contagious. His Inc. 500 company is the leader in portable solar power; however, it started from humble beginnings through his real passion, empowering people in the Democratic Republic of the Congo through TIFIE Humanitarian.
TIFIE, or Teaching Individuals and Families Independence Through Enterprise, is dedicated to providing people around the world with skills to help them live independently. The need is great with many children and their families often not knowing where their next meal is going to come from.
Through the Light a Village project in the Democratic Republic of Congo, the villagers were spending many hours and days cultivating their 1.1 acres for little return. TIFIE first helped the villagers increase their farm to 5 acres, providing tractors, cultivators and other equipment so they could tend their land more easily. Then they added in 12,000 watts of solar and 1,000 watts of backup power for the villagers. In each of the 80 homes in the program, they received high-quality battery that could be used to power lights, A/C or even outlets. They were also given access to take their battery to the main power source, within walking distance, to recharge it for $1.
The project helped many of these villagers go from making $30 a month to $60 because of the electricity. One family was able to get a TV, and Robert said there must've been 40 kids inside the tiny home glued to the TV watching a news channel. The homeowner called himself the village movie house.
TIFIE has been around since 2006, assisting thousands of people. With over 2 billion people around the globe still not connected to a reliable power source, Robert chooses power first. Without power, it's difficult to work on shelter, food production and water purification.
Robert believes 100 percent of the profits from TIFIE should go to the cause, and he's a strong believer in the richest of the rich serving the poorest of the poor.
For Zions Bank, I'm Chris Redgrave, speaking on business.
TIFIE 675 W. 14600 South Riverton, UT 84065 801-545-4515 www.tifie.org
