Bringing the world together

The children I recently met on the installation trip around Iringa have a strong desire for growth and improvement in their quality of life.

Curious about the western way of life, they are excited to learn about modern communication and technology, which they admire. They feel that to be better integrated into local community and the world at large they need access to lighting and communication.

The ability to read at night, listen to a radio or watch television (something which has been available to the developed world for almost a century now) will allow them to expand their horizons. Communication with friends and relatives through the use of mobile phones will enable their integration with the rest of the world. But all means for growth depend on technologies that of course require electricity.

While lifting a solar panel up onto the roof of a school, Dennis asked me: "Prof., do you think we are making a difference for this country and Africa by bringing solar energy to these schools in remote villages?"

As the sun shone onto the panel, I realised that ironically the wheels of a future renewable energy economy may be best started in developing world countries through humanitarian effort. Bringing renewable energy sources first to school children in poor countries is a basic expression of the highest humanitarian principle to help those in need. Development of renewable energy sources could be one of the efforts that bring the world together rather than dividing it.

The answer to Dennis's question came resoundingly when we officially handed the system over to the school's headmaster in front of the student assembly. The voice of jubilation from hundreds of students was a perfect expression of the gratitude for the gift of solar and more than that, for the opportunity to become more connected with the rest of humanity.

Slobodan