When the Montmorency Social Justice Group travelled to met Columban Fr Shay Cullen in the Philippines, they discussed a Solar Light project that they were trialling with three other Philippines-based organisations. The feedback was really positive. They felt solar lights cut back on the cost of electricity and those who didn't have electricity found it incredible. The lights also removed the health and fire issues attached with candles and kerosene. In addition, the young people found that they felt safer walking with the light instead of in the dark.
Fr Shay said that the solar lights would be wonderful for the indigenous families, the Aetas, who he works with up in the mountains around Zambales, where there is no electricity. The lights are long lasting and can be used to light up a room, used as desk lamps or torches.
Montmorency Social Justice Group plan to purchase 2,000 lights and divide them between three communities including; PREDA, Damayan Community Centre in Malabon (run by the Good Shepherd Sisters and Val Smith-Orr) and an Australian volunteer nurse in Zambales, who works with children with hare lips, cleft palates and people living with burns.
Columban Fr Shay and the People’s Recovery, Empowerment Development Assistance Foundation (PREDA) look forward to distributing these new solar lights to the remote villages in the Philippines, in the areas that they work in.
The solar lights are an Australian invention and cost $10 AUD which includes shipping. For more information about the solar lights please visit: www.illuminationsolar.com.
To support and become part of the Solar Light project please contact Glenys Gayfer from the Montmorency Social Justice Group on 0411 196 395 or via email: glenys@kadasigaid.com.au.
Fr Shay Cullen SSC has been a missionary in the Philippines since 1969 and is the founder of the People’s Recovery, Empowerment Development Assistance Foundation (PREDA).
Read another article by Fr Shay Cullen, 'The mangoes that saved a village'
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