Unite to Light (UTL), a California non-profit corporation, in collaboration with Children in the Wilderness Malawi (CITW), has embarked on a project to source (UTL) and distribute (CITW) solar lights to needy students in some rural areas of Malawi which are off the national power grid.
A learner from Mgodi Primary with the school’s consignment of 100 solar lights
The Luke Solar Light is designed to provide 8 hours of light after charging for 8 hours in the sun
The purpose of the 2021 project is to assist primary school students with reading and completing school assignments and exercises at night, both at their schools and homes. The expected outcome is that students’ time on school work should increase markedly, and ultimately result in improved school performance.
In September 100 lights each were distributed to five primary schools in the Northern Zone (Chintheche at Nkhata Bay), namely Chintheche, Chihame, Chalaundi, Bandawe and Mgodi.
CITW is working closely with the school administrations, ranging from the office of the Director of Basic Education, to the Parent-Teachers’ Committees (PTC) at the local schools. This collaboration ensures that the lights are provided to the neediest students and that the teachers and parents help monitor the use of the lights by students.
Many thanks go to UTL for the donation of the lights. We would also like to thank the Ministry of Education (Director of Basic Education); Malawi Revenue Authority; Central African Wilderness Safaris, and CITW-affiliated primary school teachers for making this important project a possibility.
The Northern Zone received 5 boxes (500 units) of solar lights 
Learners practice using the solar lights on a school desk
Report by Symon Chibaka – CITW Malawi Programme Co-ordinator
