Sources of Light, Sources of Hope

The recent typhoon Yolanda (inter nation name: Haiyan) cost the Philippine so much. It damaged most of Visayas and some parts of Mindanao. Some towns are partly damaged while some are totally washed out. Evacuees are in 'tent cities' while damaged infrastructures and other properties are being recovered and rehabilitated. Among the most important issue in the devastated area is electricity - for some household appliances, light, mobile phone and flashlight charging. But with the extent of destruction in the power lines and posts, authorities and power companies have yet to provide the area with the electricity that they need.

The tenure of Energy Secretary Carlos Jericho Petilla has also been endangered by this issue, as people called the official's resignation after failing to meet his earlier pronouncement that power in some areas will be 100% operating by Christmas. But the Palace kept the Secretary in his post saying that the latter has been performing well even if he did not meet his earlier target due to actual challenges in the area.

Project EnKindle

In these times of calamities and destruction, we Filipino are not hesitant to extend whatever help we can give. We also harness our creativity and innovativeness to create something that will be of benefit to us and for others. This is why a number of individuals was able to help families in the devastated areas to have access to power from other sources and means while waiting for the reinstallation of power lines.

A Liter of Light

A group named Project EnKindle lend solar panels that help people capture and utilise the power from sunlight. Another project named A Liter of Light utilised pet bottles, water and detergent as an alternative lighting. Using a small solar panel-chip that captures sunlight in the morning, the bottle illuminates a household just like an electrically-powered light bulb. From simple materials found home, the bottles have become not only a container of water but also a container of light, a source of hope.

With these innovations, it is proven that Filipinos are not just resilient and symphatetic during disasters. Our creative sides are also evident during these times and we are getting not only personal gains from these but also societal gains as we are able to help others. With concerned and innovative Filipinos, we can never be defeated by the challenges that we will be facing. The solar panel and the bottles are not just sources of light for the families, but they are also sources of hope that we will rise again.



Sources:
http://www.rappler.com/move-ph/issues/disasters/typhoon-yolanda/47662-project-enkindle-yolanda-solar-panels;
http://www.rappler.com/move-ph/issues/disasters/typhoon-yolanda/43998-petilla-resign-if-power-not-restored-by-dec-24;
http://www.gov.ph/2013/12/26/statement-the-presidential-spokesperson-on-the-retention-of-energy-secretary-jericho-petilla;
http://lightup.justworks.me;

http://aliteroflight.org