By Mitchell Clarke
Thirty families from Beaconhills College Berwick Campus have contributed to the fight against ending global energy poverty.
Students and their parents took part in the SolarBuddy program, an Australian charity dedicated to changing the lives of children living energy poverty, through innovative education and engagement programs.
The SolarBuddy charity group distributes the lights in developing countries, with the hope they’ll assist children in doing their homework and avoiding the use of dangerous kerosene lamps.
This year, the school community will produce around 1000 lights, assembled by the Junior Schools, Year Six and Nine students and those completing the Year Eight Certificate of Excellence.
Beaconhills College’s head of citizenship and service Claire Tuohy said the program had been “enormously successful”.
“We are empowering our families to understand that one small gift of kindness will make a huge difference to a family living in energy poverty in a developing country,” Mrs Tuohy said.
“It means access to education and reduces the need to use kerosene and firewood inside homes.”
Already this year, lights made by Year 10 students at Beaconhills were delivered to East Timor and have been used in the remote regions of Hatolia, where electricity is still beyond the reach of many families.
Donations to help buy the light kits have also flowed in from Berwick Probus Club and Edrington Park Retirement Village’s Ladies Group.
