In mid-October Sant Bani students in grades K-12 expanded their understanding of solar electricity while they learned about service.

First grade teacher Hillary Martin’s mother, Barbara Hathaway, and Barbara’s husband, Bishop Alden Hathaway, of Beuford, South Carolina shared during Morning Session the mission work they have been doing in Uganda, bringing lighting via solar power to remote villages.

With slides from their 2009 trip to Uganda, Barbara and Bishop Hathaway explained how much electric lighting means to the people and villages they have worked with. They explained how people can improve their lives when even one light bulb is there to light a home. The have watched people’s income grow with the help of solar-powered lighting. One woman was able to double the productivity of her small-farm operation with all night lighting.

The Hathaways also explained why solar electric lighting, in addition to being environmentally friendly, makes sense for the villages they work in in Uganda: The location near the Equator makes for readily available energy from the sun. His group uses solar batteries that are able to harvest and use that energy.

Bishop Hathaway also emphasized the importance of the Ugandans his group has helped being able to maintain the lighting and batteries in order to be independent.

The inspiring presentation expands up Sant Bani School’s work in service and sustainable energy and we thank the Hathaways for coming to us to share their experience.