Bringing Lights, Turning a Community’s Distant Dream to a Reality!
By Alyanna Cariño
In many indigenous communities, the absence of essential resources, such as electricity, is a sad reality. What is basic to most people, is considered a privilege for indigenous communities, highlighting a glaring disparity. Far removed from the conveniences of modern technologies, many find themselves in challenging situations. This problem is also present in the educational sphere, with teachers and students facing challenging learning conditions.
As part of Cartwheel’s tech-capacity building program for indigenous schools, a solar power installation and gadget donation project has been successfully carried out in the Angiskul Ma Bangka (AMB) Child Development Center in Barangay Kasanyangan, Zamboanga City, following a previous initiative in Culion, Palawan. This project aims to bridge the energy and the education gaps – improving the teaching capacity of the teachers and providing a conducive learning environment for students.
Lights are now on in Angiskul ma Bangka!
The Lack of Access to Basic Resources
Taytayan, an area in Barangay Kasanyangan where our Sama-Bajau partner community resides, is a resettlement area for families displaced by the 2013 Zamboanga Siege. For many residents in the area, each day poses significant challenges, as necessities like clean water and electricity are hardly accessible.
Taytayan- the area where AMB is situated
The area is also where the AMB is located, with 115 Sama-Bajau students currently enrolled. Classes in the preschool can be particularly challenging due to the hot weather. Often, students lose focus, and teachers, lacking the means to print learning materials, must rely on external printing services, incurring extra charges.
Empowering the Community through Solar Power
The solar power installation and gadget donation project took place from October 23-26, 2023, in Barangay Kasanyangan, Zamboanga City. On the first day, the Cartwheel Foundation (CFI), along with Solar Solutions (SSI), conducted an ocular visit, engaging briefly with the community and assessing the school. The succeeding two days were then dedicated to the installation process, spearheaded by SSI Team. Apart from solar panels and components, they also installed four wall fans and four light bulbs for the two classrooms.
Highlights from the installation process
On the last day, the community, along with CFI, SSI and Insight Direct Philippines (Insight), the funder, celebrated the official handover of the solar system, gadgets, and school supply donations, through a small salu-salo prepared by the community. Edgar Ampil, from Insight, graced the event. Also in attendance was our implementing partner, Ateneo de Zamboanga Center for Community Extension Services (ADZU-CCES), led by Loreta Sta. Teresa and Wilbert Sajulga. Notable officials from our government partners included Ayesha Bakil from the City Social Welfare and Development Office, and Troy Cadir, from the Local Government Unit of Barangay Kasanyangan.
Our Sama-Bajau learners are all smiles!
Celebratory Gathering and Handover Day
First picture from L-R: Yanna Cariño from CFI, Loreta Sta. Teresa and Wilbert Sajulga from ADZU- CCES, Rensi Pua from CFI, Community Teachers- Suraya Saikulah and Relinda Montimor, Edgar Ampil and Laika from Insight, and Kenneth Abellanosa from SSI
Many thanks for these donations!
The teachers expressed their heartfelt gratitude to everyone involved in the success of the project and were deeply moved by the gifts they received. One of the community teachers, Teacher Suraya, expressed “Nagpapasalamat talaga ako dahil mayroong Solar na hindi na masyado mahihirapan ang mga bata, magiging komportable na sila. Malaking tulong talaga sa amin na makita ang mga bata na hindi na sila naiinitan at naiirita sa sobrang init. Maraming salamat po sa Insight, kayo po ang nagbigay sa amin ng liwanag…” (I am grateful for the Solar Power because the kids will not feel the heat in the classroom anymore. They will now feel comfortable. This is really such a big help to us to see our kids feeling comfortable and not struggling from the heat. So, many thanks to Insight. You really brought light to our lives…)
This project holds immense significance for the community as it goes beyond the installation of solar power and the provision of gadgets and school supplies. It symbolizes a transformative step towards improved education, reduced disparities, and enhanced living conditions. Bridging the energy gap becomes a catalyst for change, promoting community development and resilience.
We thank our implementing partners for turning the community’s distant dream into a tangible reality! The Solar Installation and Gadget Donation Project was made possible through the full funding of Insight Direct Philippines, the successful installation by our implementing partner, Solar Solutions Inc., as well as the invaluable support of our on-the-ground partner, Ateneo de Zamboanga- Center for Community Extension Services.