It takes two to three hours for Warik Pan, a twelve-year old student at Sapang Uwak Elementary School in Porac, Pampanga, to travel home from school on foot. With no access to electricity, she uses a portable battery-powered flashlight to do her homework at night. Despite all these, she remains at the top of her class.
Warik uses the solar lamp that she received from Sagip Kapamilya and Sun Life Foundation.
“Dahil wala po kaming kuryente, flashlight lang po ang gamit ko sa pag-aaral.” (Since we have no electricity, I’m using a battery-powered flashlight in order to study at night.) Warik said.
To brighten up the lives of Ayta children in Sapang Uwak Elementary School in Porac, Pampanga, over 200 solar lamps were distributed to them by Sagip Kapamilya. The distribution was made possible through the generosity of Sun Life Foundation.
“Sa solar light po na binigay ninyo, naliwanagan po ang pangarap kong maging guro.” “(Now that you have given us solar lights, my dream of becoming a teacher is getting clearer) Warik added.
She is just one of the many children living in Sapang Uwak, a remote barangay in Porac, where electricity is scarce. Some have electricity but power interruption is frequent. With or without electricity, children can now study their lessons at night with their solar lamps— bright enough to give them a brighter life.
Pepito Descano, Head Teacher of Sapang Uwak Elementary School, expressed his gratitude for the gift of light his students received. “Napakalaking tulong po knowing naman na kabundukan ito. Every now and then, laging nawawalan ng kuryente. Kaya minsan, pumapasok ang mga estudyante na walang assignment. Malaking tulong ito para sa kanilang pag-aaral. Salamat po!” (This is a big help for our students because power interruption here is very frequent. Sometimes, they go to school without doing their assignments. This will greatly help their studies. Thank you!)“Maraming salamat po sa Sun Life Foundation at Sagip Kapamilya sa solar lamp na ibinigay ninyo. Makakapag-aral na po ako nang mabuti,” (Thank you Sun Life Foundation and Sagip Kapamilya for the solar lamp. This will help me study well.) Warik exclaimed.