In honour of National Science Week, a group of 50 grade three Townsville Grammar students are helping to make a difference to the lives of people living in remote communities in Papua New Guinea who have limited to no access to electricity.
During an interactive workshop last week, the students learned about electric circuits, solar power, solar radiation, and the importance of light. They then put their knowledge into practice by constructing solar-powered lights which will be donated to children via YWAM’s Medical Ship, MV YWAM PNG, to remote communities in Papua New Guinea.
Each light is accompanied by a hand-written note from one of the students to the recipient.
YWAM Medical Ships Community Engagement Coordinator, Erin Ford, said that less than 20% of Papua New Guinea’s rural population has access to electricity.*
“These small lights made by the Townsville Grammar students show just how easy it can be to provide a simple lighting solution. It was great to see the students get so involved, I think it was special for them to know that there is a child in a remote village that would be receiving a gift from them that will make a difference to their life,” said Erin.
The delivery of the portable solar lights is just one of YWAM Medical Ships solar projects. Other solar projects include the delivery and installation of solar kits for rural health centres, solar-powered desalination units, and the delivery of solar vaccine fridges and solar rice mills.
The MV YWAM PNG will be returning to Papua New Guinea in October for an eight-month deployment throughout the Southern region and Morobe Province.
Before the vessel returns to Papua New Guinea, the MV YWAM PNG will be open to the Townsville public on Saturday September 9th. The family open day will include a tour of the MV YWAM PNG, cultural experiences, and a display of innovative technologies. For more information, visit: https://ywamships.org//openday17/
*”Powering PNG into the Asian Century” report, prepared by Port Jackson Partners, 2015.
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