Week Without Wall (“WWW”) - My Vietnam Solar Energy Lighting Project

Date: March 17-22, 2024

Location: Bao La Commune, Mai Chua District, Hoa Binh, Vietnam

Project Goal: To build 100 solar energy lighting polls to support the safety and standard facility of the Na Chao community

“WWW” is a program from our school that allows students to explore and learn about different cultures via community services. Through a week-long program, we learn more about ourselves and develop positive attitudes toward others and those they serve.

In this project, we were tasked with installing solar energy lighting poles along their main road, a 2.5km path connecting to the main road for other villages, schools, and markets. During the night, it becomes dangerous to commute around this area after farming work due to the darkness and the risk of another vehicle passing by at the same time.

The villagers needed electric poles for lighting up this road, but it is over budget and is not considered a priority of the local government to bring and build them up due to distance, therefore alternative energy such as solar power with iron poles is an option that is affordable to provide.

What benefits can we bring from committing to this project?

To the community, this solar energy lighting project would ultimately support local villagers, the school nearby, and people from other villages passing by with safety and standard facilities that should be accessible to everyone’s life.

As for us, the student group, the project created more volunteering aspects, patience to work with local people and other schoolmates, listening skills from teamwork, and basic construction skills for everyday life in the future from this trip. Personally, this project initiated my interest in exploring alternative and renewable energy sources.

My takeaways from this trip:

Assisting people who are experiencing difficulties helps us understand how others live around the world. It also teaches us to be humble and more grateful for what we have.

Tour to local garden before our hard work!