Beaconhills students are helping East Timorese children this week assemble solar-powered lights as part of the SolarBuddy program.

SolarBuddy provides lights to children and families in developing countries, to help children do their homework and avoid using dangerous kerosene lamps.

Our Year 10s were delighted to show children in Dato Rua how to build the lights. Head of Outdoor Education Sam Maddock said that while electricity was reaching remote areas of East Timor, power use had to be prepaid, meaning it was still too expensive for many people.

Beaconhills students have visited and volunteered in East Timor for many years as part of the Beacon Explorers program.