Solar Lamps for 900 Indigenous Filipino Children

It is not uncommon in the Philippines for both the husband and the wife to work in order to provide for the family. As such, it only during night time when they could bond and have time as a whole family after a whole day worth of work. It is a challenge when at night, electricity is not available to serve as light. For almost 2 years already, the Philippines’ setting for conducting classes is modular or online (distance learning) in order to avoid the transmission of CoVid-19 virus. As such, the parents become correspondence of teachers in answering the modules given to the students. In a setting were both parents are working, night time is the only time they have to teach their children. The lack of proper lighting for studying may affect the student’s performance in school. The solar lights distributed by Global Peace Foundation Philippines helped the students to study better with their parents at night because it is a cleaner, safer, and cheaper alternative to kerosene lamps. “My mother and my father are both busy working in the morning; they can only help me in answering my modules and homework during night. I’m thankful we have solar lamps, they were able to teach me.” – Maria, 9 years old (not real name)

Children from IP Communities are also preparing for the opening of classes for this school year 2021-2022; which were started last September 13, 2021. The challenge of pandemic is still present.  Together with other few countries, the Philippines has kept its schools closed nationwide due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The face to face mode of schooling are still not possible. Opening classrooms in the middle of a still untamed pandemic is still dangerous, given the lack of health facilities in schools. Solar lamps are great help in transforming lives in off-grid communities, enabling school children to study longer and create a safe and healthy home environment for the whole family. 

This year’s project implementation will continue in partnership with other stakeholders to support communities in coping up the challenge of pandemic.