For those of us who have easy access to electricity, our lives revolve around it.
You wake up in the morning and check your phone, which is plugged in and charging. You walk into your kitchen and plug in your
toaster and coffee maker to start making breakfast. You go into your bathroom, turn on the light, and brush your teeth with your
electric toothbrush. And your day has just started.
Now imagine a child trying to do their homework without electricity.
Not everyone gets to take this energy source for granted. In 2018, only about 43% of Uganda’s population had access to electricity.
For years, the children and staff on our campus in Lira, Uganda did not have a reliable source of energy. The power they did have came
from a costly generator.
“Before, this place was always dark. We had blackouts because of the generators that were dysfunctional. There was no security light in
the compound with the children,” says Pastor James, the country director for our ministry in Uganda.
Walking around the campus at night was dangerous. The children could trip and injure themselves. They could step on snakes—snakes
they couldn’t see lurking in the dark.
“Before, we were living in total darkness. It was hard for us to implement our work, especially at night, helping the children to do their
homework, helping them to read. It was really hard for us because there was no light,” says Pixcy, who works at our children’s homes in
Uganda.
Without a reliable energy source, the children struggled in school. Some days, it was nearly impossible for students to do their homework
and study for their exams.
If the generator ran out of fuel, there was no power.
Because Uganda is on the equator, the sun sets around 6:30 p.m. the entire year. If the children wanted to read after the sun went down,
they had to use the lights powered by the generator.
Dozens of children would gather into the same room to make use of the light that was available. If the generator ran out of fuel, there was
no power.
Now, the children in Uganda have access to clean, reliable, cost-effective energy. Solar power.
Solar power provides a clean, reliable, and cost-effective alternative to the power produced by generators.
World Light Africa partnered with Children of the Nations to bring solar power to our campus in 2019.
World Light Africa is an organization that brings solar power to schools, homes, farms, and communities throughout Africa. Their mission
is to, “advance God’s kingdom through business.” They are also passionate about creating jobs in Africa—most of their materials are made
and assembled there.
Simon, one of the students at the Uganda campus, says, “Now I use solar lights at any time in the evening for reading.” Simon and his
classmates can now study for as long as they want, setting them up for success in their assignments and exams.
During the pandemic, access to electricity has become even more important. When the children haven’t been able to go to school in-person,
they have still been able to watch classes with the TV. The 700 students on campus also have access to a computer lab. They can now be
better prepared for university and their future careers, where they will be expected to use this technology.
The staff used to be exposed to the dirty fuel and carbon monoxide pollution that came from the generator. Many people in Africa suffer
from respiratory issues caused by generators. With the solar system, they no longer have to worry about this exposure.
The students also now have lights in their dorms. “We are so glad and so grateful for the light…thank you so much, it is like we are living in
a palace,” says one of the students in the girls’ dorms.
Solar energy is also much more cost effective. Our annual cost of energy has been reduced by 90%. The funds that went towards the costly
generator can now go to the educational, social, physical, and spiritual care of the children.
This project, and the ease, safely, security, and hope it brings to the children, would not have been possible without the generosity of our partners
and donors.
Thank you for bringing solar power to the children in Uganda. Thank you for giving them a brighter future.
There are still many children who don’t have access to electricity. We need your help to bring solar power to more schools, homes, and communities
in Africa and the Caribbean.
Please give today at International Solar Fund to give children the clean, reliable energy they need to rise up out of poverty and transform
their nations!