GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. (KKCO) - A group of local high school students are helping to light the night in Kenya. More than ten teenagers from Palisade, Fruita and Grand Junction high schools are fundraising to send solar lamps to families in Kenya.

Many people in the developing country use dangerous and expensive kerosene lamps. These clean energy lights absorb solar power the day, and make for safe light at night. They're also much less costly long term than kerosene lamps.

"It's a huge economic sapping resource. People spend up to 30 percent of their income on it in Kenya. It's a severe health issue causing major burns. The indoor air pollution is one of the biggest killers worldwide. It kills more people than malaria each year," says Ellen Atkinson, one of the group members behind the effort.

The group is hosting two Kenyan-themed benefit dinners this Friday and Saturday night at the Western Colorado Center for the Arts. Ticket sales will pay for lamps to be shipped to Kenya. The students hope to send 250 lights, which totals $5,000.

The students say they've sold about $4,000 worth of tickets so far, but still need more people to join the dinner, especially on Saturday.

The Dinner in the Dark will begin at the Western Colorado Center for the Arts this Friday and Saturday night, at 6 o'clock. One $20 ticket will send a lamp to Kenya. Guests will eat a traditional Kenyan meal by the solar light lamps, while watching a presentation about kerosene's affect on developing countries and how these lamps make a change.

If you'd like to buy a ticket, call 970-234-5755