About us
Our project addresses basic communications and lighting needs for health and education in remote villages, using solar electricity.
Medical and communication services, already only patchily available in remote villages, were damaged by Severe Tropical Cyclone Pam, in March 2015. Ironically, these services are increasingly required in and following natural disasters. Injured people and imminent mothers cannot easily reach support services if and when needed and even if support workers are available, darkness can prevent them from being as useful as they could be.
UNSW School of Photovoltaic and Renewable Energy Engineering students have been active on Tanna Island since 2007/08 when a group of second-year students visited to install roof gutters, rainwater tanks and solar lighting at the school on the village of Louen. Others installed a hydro-electric mini-grid in Imaki in 2009/10,
primarily for the dispensary and the two regional schools, but it was damaged by Cyclone Pam. Most recently, in 2016/17, students have installed and repaired efficient solar LED lighting and phone chargers at dispensaries and schools in remote villages across the southern half of Tanna.
Aside from the beneficial outcomes for the Vanuatu people, our students gain unparalleled intercultural engagement and practical experience of building real-world working systems and learn the importance of careful, detailed planning for remote work and respect for the technicians who implement engineers’ designs.
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We have been and are being generously supported by:
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Vanuatu Community Aid (vanuatucommunityaid@gmail.com);
Dr Susan Lewis;
Alternative Technology Association;
China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC);
UNSW School of Photovoltaic and Renewable Energy Engineering;
Darcy and Patricia Wentworth;
UNSW Institute for Global Development;
Nepraintata (South Tanna) Area Council
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We can do more if we have more funds for batteries, mounting frames, cables, connectors, shipping and transport.
Students:
​Yantong Jiang
Recalling the 18 days spent in Vanuatu, it seems that everything was like a dream, unreal but profound and memorable. Never thought that there is such a group of people living without clean water, no basic medical or sanitation conditions and no electricity in the world. Our little help can make a considerable difference to the local people, which is a pride I have never had before. I hope that the pace of such public welfare activities will never stop, and more volunteers can participate in this meaningful things to help the people live a better life.
​Yiyang Gao
Xinjian Du
I felt great when I lit the bulb by myself and I was deeply moved by the enthusiasm of the local people. It was an unforgettable journey. I hope more students can participate in this project and make contributions to the local community.
Vanuatu is a beautiful island nation, it has nice views and kind people. I saw many different lifestyles and tasted many sweet fruits there. This project tells me that many people have limited access to electricity around the world, that's why we install solar systems to help people there. This project is meaningful and I hope more volunteers will come to help this developing country.
