REACH for Uganda Solar Light Report

Mary and Ronald have big dreams like many kids their age, but living in rural Uganda, their options are limited. The gift of Luke Lights last year has their future looking brighter. ​

The students, both in 4th grade, attend Arlington Junior School in Uganda and don't have access to electricity during school hours or at home. Once the sun goes down, they can’t continue their studies in the dark. The Luke Lights are changing that: “The solar lights you gave us are helping us to read at night. My parents are encouraging me to work hard for a better future,” said Mary Nabukuwa. Ronald Kutosi wants to establish a better future through furthering his education: “It is important to find something that I want to do that can also help my family. When I grow up, I want to be a doctor.” ​

John and Joyce Wanda know what it’s like to grow up without electricity. Both are immigrants from Uganda to the United States. After establishing their new home in Virginia, they found the American school system to be far different than the school system they experienced in their home country. During their childhood they did not have electricity or even teachers at times. The couple founded REACH for Uganda in 2004 to help address the disparities in education in Uganda. The nonprofit partners with communities to enhance quality of life through improved education, healthcare, and community development. ​

Joyce and John Wanda in Uganda.

In 2021, Unite to Light was able to donate 1000 solar Luke Lights to schools supported by REACH for Uganda, including the Arlington Junior School.  Funds for a third of these lights were raised by Janet and Harvey Shapiro, longtime REACH for Uganda supporters. Janet and Harvey met fifty years ago in Uganda as volunteer teachers. When they were teaching, the children used kerosene candles and lamps to study in homes without electricity. They are troubled that the same lighting techniques are used today and wanted to give the students another option. ​

When the Shapiro’s learned about Unite to Light they reached out to their community to raise funds to send solar lights. Janet also told the REACH for Uganda team about the Unite to Light Gift of Light partner program; to which they applied and were accepted in 2021. The Shapiro’s fundraiser, combined with a Gift of Light grant funded the 1000 Luke Lights. At the schools, the lights are checked out by students to use for homework. When they are finished, the students return the lights for the next student to use.

Every year Unite to Light partners with organizations across the globe to provide light and power to people living without electricity. The Gift of Light (GOL) Partner Program aims to open access to donated Lights and Chargers, and build new partnerships within their four focus areas: education, global health, disaster response and homelessness. To learn more about becoming a partner, please visit the GOL application page. ​