A partnership between Kangaroo Valley and Remexio in East Timor has achieved its goal of providing light to more than 1500 homes.
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The 1999 independence referendum, was the catalyst for a dedicated group of Valley residents to form the Kangaroo Valley Remexio Partnership (KVRP)
Their aim was to supply a solar lighting system to every to every household that needed it throughout the Remexio sub-district.
A final $10,000 ActewAGL donation will see the project that began in 2009 completed.
By the end of this year, a grand total of 1,506 systems will have been installed.
Three KVRP members travelled to Remexio in August to help organise the final 97 installations of what the Timorese call lampu diak, “the good light” and received positive responses from the locals.
“Life is better with Lampu Diak… my family is safer. The children can study at night and their eyes don’t hurt anymore while they study. We felt safe with the lights,” they said.
Many individuals have contributed over the years, and the community of St John the Evangelist High School in Nowra has also made a substantial donation.
The systems make a significant difference to the quality of life of Timorese people.
They no longer have to breath noxious kerosene fumes so have reduced eye irritations and respiratory related issues.
Children who have to work in the fields in daylight hours after school now have sufficient light to complete their homework. As well as lighting, the system provides USB ports, enabling the charging of mobile phones.
Remixio is located in the mountains south of Dili and is about the same size as Kangaroo Valley, but with 12 times the population.
