Light Up the Future: Providing Light and real solutions to Children Lacking Electricity
Bringing Safe and Sustainable Light to Remote Classrooms in Off-Grid Villages
Fair Future distributes solar-powered lamps to 24 off-grid schools in East Sumba.
Distributing 2,224 Solar Lamps to Schools Without Electricity in East Sumba
Hello everyone, it’s Alex writing to you today,
Did you know that in the most remote areas of Indonesia, the lack of electricity is more than just an inconvenience? It hinders education, healthcare, endangers people’s lives and greatly diminishes the already scarce possibilities for a better future. In collaboration with SolarBuddy, Rotary International and Kawan Baik Indonesia, the Fair Future Foundation is launching “Light Up the Future”.
This collaborative initiative will provide sustainable and innovative lighting solutions to schools and families without access to electricity and a source of light in East Sumba in the coming months.
The Stark Truth: 40% of Families Remain Without Electricity
Official reports revealed that over 30,000 families and 104 schools in East Sumba were without electricity. As a result, around 8,900 students face challenges studying at night since they cannot read or complete homework after sunset. Picture the difficulty of trying to learn in complete darkness. You can look at this map here.
With the Light Up the Future initiative, we are delivering SolarBuddy solar-powered lamps to students and teachers in schools without access to electricity. These lamps offer a safe and dependable light source, decreasing reliance on hazardous kerosene lamps and significantly enhancing children’s learning opportunities.
Fair Future distributes solar-powered lamps to 24 off-grid schools in East Sumba.
A Sustainable Approach: Utilizing Solar Energy in Education
In East Sumba, the lack of electricity in off-grid schools significantly hampers learning opportunities. To tackle this issue, Fair Future Foundation has teamed up with Rotary International and SolarBuddy to implement a comprehensive, long-term program offering sustainable lighting solutions while enhancing education, health standards, and community resilience.
- Providing 2,224 solar-powered lamps to more than 2,000 children across 24 remote schools. Each student will receive a JuniorBuddy solar lamp for dependable nighttime study lighting. Additionally, teachers will be equipped with larger solar units to light up classrooms so that lessons can proceed even after the sun sets.
- Educational workshops led by our field teams, where students and teachers will learn about solar energy, sustainability, and lamp maintenance. These interactive sessions ensure that the lamps are used effectively and remain functional for years, maximizing their impact.
- A Clean and Healthy Living Behavior (PHBS) campaign, addressing health challenges linked to the lack of clean water, sanitation, and proper hygiene education. Our teams will distribute hygiene kits, posters, and guidance on essential health practices, reducing preventable illnesses that often cause school absenteeism.
- A logistics and distribution center at Rumah Kambera, established to securely store and efficiently distribute solar lamps, educational materials, and hygiene supplies. Given the extreme difficulty of reaching these remote schools, this hub ensures that resources are managed and deployed effectively, even in the most challenging terrain.
A Monumental Logistics Endeavor: Beyond Just Lamps
Distributing 2,224 solar lamps to 24 remote schools presents a challenge that extends well beyond mere delivery. These villages lack paved roads and can only be accessed by rugged off-road tracks suitable for 4WD trucks or dirt bikes.
Every mission demands meticulous planning, with travel to these schools taking two to three days. The journey is challenging due to unpredictable terrain such as steep hills, river crossings, and thick dust or mud that slows progress and exhausts us. Returning the same day is usually not feasible; therefore, we camp in the field overnight equipped with all necessary supplies—fuel, food, and water—to sustain ourselves throughout the trip.
In addition to transportation, each mission incorporates on-site education, guaranteeing that students and teachers are equipped with the knowledge necessary to use and maintain their SolarBuddy lamps. Despite challenges, we remain dedicated because every light we provide brings us closer to a brighter future.
The logistics costs play a vital role in the project, encompassing:
- Intense off-road transportation involves using 4WD trucks and dirt bikes to traverse challenging terrain, providing access to remote villages.
- Fuel and vehicle maintenance: Making sure our trucks and bikes are prepared for lengthy trips through unpredictable conditions.
- Accommodation and Food for Field Teams – Since missions often span several days, teams need to either bring their own provisions or depend on local communities for lodging.
- Training sessions and educational programs for students and teachers, focusing on the correct use and maintenance of solar lamps to enhance their effectiveness.
- Backup Equipment and Repairs – Bringing spare parts and tools is essential, as breakdowns frequently occur in these harsh environments.
- Safety gear and emergency supplies – including first aid kits, satellite communication devices, and extra fuel to tackle unexpected challenges in remote regions.
Fair Future distributes solar-powered lamps to 24 off-grid schools in East Sumba.
Funding: Over Halfway Achieved—Your Support is Still Needed
The program’s total budget amounts to 163.5 million IDR (approximately 9,500 CHF), and I’m pleased to announce that we’ve already secured over half of the necessary funding. We are ready to initiate the first distribution phase thanks to tremendous support.
However, we haven’t reached our goal yet. We still need to raise the remaining funds to guarantee that every child and school in this program receives a SolarBuddy lamp.
More Than Light: A Brighter Future for Families as Well
In addition to enhancing the schools, these lamps significantly improve daily life for entire families. With adequate lighting at home, children are able to study longer, and parents can maintain their household activities after nightfall—whether it involves preparing meals, fetching water, or simply fostering a safer environment.
Simultaneously, our Clean and Healthy Living Behavior (PHBS) campaign guarantees that children and families obtain vital hygiene education, aiding in the prevention of diseases associated with inadequate access to clean water and electricity.
Let’s Light Up the Future—Together
Supporting Light Up the Future means more than just providing illumination. You’re offering children a chance to learn, dream, and hope for a brighter future.
We’ve made significant progress, yet we need your support to complete the journey. Every donation, regardless of size, helps us shine light in places where darkness has long hindered opportunity.
Let’s join forces to make this a reality.
Thank you for reading us. Today, March, the 2nd, 2025 – Alex Wettstein
List of Related Organizations with Hyperlinks
- SolarBuddy: Provides solar-powered lights to children living in energy poverty, ensuring better education opportunities.
- Rotary International: Supports humanitarian projects worldwide, including renewable energy solutions for schools.
- Global Alliance for Clean Cookstoves: Advocates for sustainable and clean energy solutions in off-grid communities.
- Lighting Global: A World Bank initiative promoting solar-powered solutions for remote regions.
- Energy Access Coalition: Focuses on clean energy distribution to underserved areas, aligning with Fair Future’s solar initiatives.
- Practical Action: Supports energy access and sustainable development projects in rural communities.
- Green Empowerment: Implements renewable energy projects in off-grid areas worldwide.
