Lights across the water

Alexander Wallace and Riley Pederson with their SolarBuddy. 166354_04

By Helena Adeloju

Beaconhills College students put their school motto “Let light shine” into action on Wednesday 22 March, with students building solar lights for children in Ethiopia and Papua New Guinea.
Founder of SolarBuddy Australia, Simon Doble spoke to primary and secondary school students about “energy poverty” and the impact it has on children and families living in remote communities around the globe.
“SolarBuddy is about educating children about energy poverty and empowering them to be a part of the change,” Mr Doble said.
Some 90 students participated in the program, with each student building a solar light and writing an accompanying letter to the child who will receive it.
The solar lights will enable children to do their homework without being exposed to toxic kerosene fumes on a daily basis, in communities that don’t have access to electricity.
Mr Doble said SolarBuddy’s schools program is about “educating and healing the problem at the same time.”
He was blown away by the student’s response to the program, describing them as “a real shining light for the region.”
“The kids at Beaconhills were engaged, aware and I think now they are feeling more connected,” Mr Doble said.
“It’s humbling to be around the kids and to see their engagement and enthusiasm.”
Beaconhills College Head of Citizenship and Service Clare Tuohy said the program was well received by students.
“Our kids absolutely loved it and felt they had the power to make a big difference,” Ms Tuohy said.
“We are absolutely passionate about providing support to other people in our world.”
SolarBuddy launched nine months ago and has already run programs in 150 schools around Australia.
“We’re averaging 15 inquiries a day,” Mr Doble says.
“Australian kids are getting to be the first, but we want to take Solar Buddy international.”
SolarBuddy is the official education partner of Earth Hour and World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Australia.