While Australia ferociously debates climate change and renewable energy, a 17-year-old Geelong girl took it upon herself to demonstrate the simplicity of action.
Words: John Van Klaveren
A few solar lights make a big difference in the village of Mannya, Uganda.
They offer much more than just a way of illuminating homes after nightfall in a village without electricity, just by harnessing the free energy of the sun.
Families are freed from spending up to half their meagre daily income on kerosene as well as the dangers of smelly lamps.
After discovering this, South Geelong’s Sarah Kenworthy decided to raise enough funds to take 700 solar lights to Mannya.
Her Light up Mannya campaign raised $8000 through her parish of St Bernard’s, Lions and Rotary clubs, her school, Sacred Heart College, and donations from the community.
“I knew there was no electricity in Mannya, so by bringing light to families and students still in school it would reduce the need of kerosene lights, which not everyone could afford, thus reducing household expenses and generating additional income,” Sarah explains.
“We take for granted turning on a light switch each day.
“The use of kerosene in households has severe health problems by causing life threatening burns and the inhalation of the kerosene is toxic to health. Kerosene lamps are also known to burn down houses and kill families inside. Many people including children came into the health centre with kerosene burns.
“By providing light to students they’ll be able to study into the night, achieve higher marks and overcome poverty through future employment opportunities.”
More on Sarah’s remarkable story in the Geelong Coast Magazine – out now.
