Kangaroo Valley lights up 524 houses in East Timor
1 Dec 10
Following the successful fundraising project last year – Trek for Timor – the Kangaroo Valley Remexio Partnership (KVRP) has surpassed the milestone of 500 solar light installations in eight villages in remote parts of Remexio in East Timor.
KVRP members Greg Thompson, Lynne Keevers and Lynne Dooley visited Remexio in November to assist with the project.
Working closely with Alternative Technology Australia, KVRP and its supporters have now funded a total of 524 solar lighting systems. The recent trip trained another eight local people in how to assemble, install and maintain the systems. Local management committees have been established to oversee the project.
A refresher-training program was also conducted with 8 of the technicians from last year’s training.
Greg, who also visited the region last year said, “It was great to see the project expand from the original goal of 125 installations to well past500.”
“Seeing lights go on for the first time in a house is a real privilege” commented Lynne Keevers.
For the majority of households, existing lighting is kerosene pots.
This provides poor lighting, is smelly, unhealthy and relatively expensive.
In contrast the solar systems provide sufficient light each evening for cooking, reading and other activities.
Each household pays a small sum regularly to support the future maintenance and replacement of the systems.
The villages involved in the project are very pleased to have access to better lighting and are very engaged with KVRP to make it work. “It was a great opportunity to meet with the people of Remexio and to witness what a difference this small project can make to people’s quality of life” commented Lynne Dooley. Remexio is one of the poorest districts in East Timor and due to their remote location, the villages KVRP are working with will not benefit from the Timorese government's electricity roll out, currently under construction.
The visit to East Timor was the two Lynne’s first opportunity to meet some of the people that KVRP have established relationships with.
“ It was a very humbling experience to stay with people in Remexio who have so little in a material sense but such a wealth of hospitality and humour.
” The trip had its challenges, some of which involved hauling solar equipment into remote parts of the country on extremely poor roads.
Unfortunately the wet season had arrived a little early, so roads that are just passable in the dry became slippery and dangerous.
It's amazing what can be achieved with a little determination and a 4WD.
Members of KVRP hope to return next year to continue with this project and to investigate some other endeavours.
KVRP wishes to thank all of the people whose donations have made the Village Solar Lighting project such a success.
The group hopes to host another Trek for Timor in Kangaroo Valley in 2011 in order to expand the project. Lynne Keevers