Oro Province celebrates the completion of Round 2 of Light for Learning
Last week, KTF (Kokoda Track Foundation) hosted the closing ceremony of the Light for Learning project, which aims to light up lives and futures across remote communities. Feelings of excitement and joviality marked the occasion as traditional dancers kicked off the festivities and attendees heard addresses from esteemed speakers. Our guests of honour were the Honourable Gary Juffa MP, the Governor of Oro Province and KTF’s CEO, Dr Genevieve Nelson.
Delivered in partnership and with generous funding from the Australian Government’s Pawarim Komuniti Off-grid Electrification Program, the Light for Learning project installs solar lighting and energy systems across villages that are home to students attending KTF’s Flexible Open Distance Education (FODE) centres in Oro and Western Provinces. Solar units are installed in every home, school, aid post and community building in each community supported by the project. Additionally, nominated community members are trained in solar energy, systems and maintenance to become Solar Champions for their village.
“We are proud to partner with KTF and the Australian Government on this important initiative. The commitments that were made at APEC to electrify this nation were ambitious and the Australian government through the rural electrification program is pushing the agenda forward. KTF is a valued development partner of Oro Province and their Light for Learning project is strengthening the ability for schools and students to study at home”, stated the Hon. Gary Juffa, Governor of Oro Province.
The Light for Learning program allows students completing FODE to continue their education at home and to study into the night and charge their tablets. For remote communities, Light for Learning provides significant benefits including allowing households to limit the need for harmful and expensive energy sources such as kerosene lamps, torches and wood fires. Households are able to conduct activities at night including small business tasks or social gatherings. Individuals, especially women and girls, also report having a greater feeling of safety in their homes and communities.
“It has been absolutely extraordinary witnessing the impact that these solar systems have on the lives and happiness of people living across remote parts of PNG,” said Dr Genevieve Nelson. “Solar has a direct impact on happiness, education, health, and the safety and security of women and girls and we are proud to partner with the PNGAusPartnership and Governor Juffa’s office to roll out the program in Oro”.
To date, Light for Learning has successfully brought light to more than 13,000 homes across 99 villages in Oro and Western Provinces. Additionally, 337 community facilities including schools, aid posts and Churches have been supported with solar lighting and energy systems, supporting education, health and economic outcomes.
The results have been significant. 80% of Western households and 86% of Oro households report that their children spend more time studying at night. The average time spent reading at night has increased from 7 minutes to 83 minutes after installations. Benefits have also been felt for businesses, with 78% of Western households and 65% of Oro households reporting that they received more income from their small businesses after the solar installations, and the emergence of night markets in villages has been an unintended positive economic outcome. In health, aid posts are also reporting that thanks to the solar installations community health workers are able to treat emergency patients into the night and provide them with a higher quality of care.
Round 2 of the Light for Learning was made possible thanks to the generous support of DFAT via the Pawarim Komuniti off-grid electrification program and Puma Energy Foundation.
Photography credit: Dean Arek