May 15th, 2025, 12:33pm MDT
As the sun sets over Gabuone’s far-off village, Papua New Guinea, the darkness usually puts an end to the day’s activities. For many students, it means closing their books and putting aside academic success until dawn.
But now, thanks to donations from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the evening no longer directs the end of their studies. Solar Power Lights not only illuminate students’ study spaces, but also hope for a bright future.
Dahra Latha, principal of Gavuone Primary School, explained, “There’s a problem with children in the community not doing homework because there’s no light in the house.”
According to the church’s Papua New Guinea newsroom, they are working with Australia-based nonprofit Solarbuddy to shed light on these students after donating solar light kits to Papua New Guinea families in Papua New Guinea.
In December 2024, young members of the Port Moresby Papua New Guinea Stake gathered to assemble the 500 kits provided by Solar Buddy.
After the rally, Kit was taken to Gabuone in Papua New Guinea, an isolated community of about 2,000 people in Papua Bay.
At the ceremony on April 15th, 2025, the assembled kit was distributed to students at Gavuone Elementary School. All students at the school received their solar buddy kits. Many quickly opened the lights and began to recharge in the bright sun.
The kit charges in daylight and lightly recharges the house in the middle of the night. Lhasa explained that the donation would have a major impact.
“My kids really need these solar lights,” he added: “Providing them with these kinds of light will help them do a better job with their homework and will improve their research, especially at home.”
In churches, light is often associated with knowledge and learning. Doctrine and Covenants 50:24–25 teaches. “What God’s is light. And he receives light, receives more light in God, and becomes brighter, and that light will brighter and brighter until the perfect day.
Today, many of these students have the opportunity to experience an increase in light and truth.
Many students started using lights the night they received. At the home of 15-year-old Tara Ober, the young student was able to complete his homework in the evening when the rest of the house was dark.
“I love this,” Ober said. “It’s great. I can read and study tonight.”
Other students, like 17-year-old Benjamin Coio, often started fires at night to help them study. But now he can flip the switch.
“I can work at night without worrying about my family,” Koio said. “I really needed something like this.”
Since the church collaboration with Solarbuddy began in 2023, Latter-day Saints have helped Latter-day Saints assemble and distribute over 11,000 light boxes around the world.
In Papua New Guinea, recent church contributions have made a concrete difference, allowing students to continue their studies after dark. As the community looks to the future, the glow of these solar lamps serves as a powerful reminder that even small light can cause major changes.
