Solar lights can brighten futures in rural Malawi

William Banda using a cell phone to light his notes

“Solar is very very important in terms of education, because it helps learners, and us teachers, to prepare enough during night. So lights are crucial to our work. So solar is a very, very important thing nowadays.”  

William Chris Banda, 33, is the head teacher at Chiko 2 School in a small village in rural Malawi. He is deeply embedded within his community and has dreamed of giving back to his village by becoming a teacher since he was 6 years old. 

William Banda standing in front of his house.

William Chris Banda, 33, is the head teacher at Chikho 2 School in TA Kasakula, Ntchisi District, Malawi.

While his dreams have been realised, life is not easy for a teacher without access to electricity. The lack of electricity in William’s village affects students and teachers alike. It makes it difficult for teachers to prepare for class and causes students to lose crucial studying hours. 

 “So it’s difficult [for me to work], I use my cell phone. I use the torch on my cell phone. So [solar] is crucial,” explains William.

William Banda preparing by cell phone torch.

William Chris Banda preparing for class by phone torch.

“So the lights, will help the students to have enough time to study, and this will also increase  their performance, and even the pass rates and transition will be very high,” says William.  

Together, we are lighting up William’s village with solar power. He is excited to easily and safely prepare for classes and to see his students excel at school.

“It will help us to have enough time for preparation, since during night, we can prepare because we’ll have a source of  light.”