Kopernik

By Fita Arief, Kopernik Fellow

Last week, we welcomed Derek Ngai from d.light to conduct training in Oecusse. We also managed to have a field trip together to Suni Ufe and Molo, two of the off-grid villages in Oecusse. I felt nervous after having been informed by FEEO staff that we will be crossing two flooded rivers.  Thankfully, the sun was shining during the trip and no flood occurred.

We started our trip on 10 AM. The team consisted of Derek, myself,  Merita (FEEO director), Tobias (FEEO acting director), and other FEEO staff. We took motorbikes to Lifau river because the car that was supposed to take us didn’t show up. So our motorbikes stopped on one side of the river, leaving us to cross the river. On the other side a few of FEEO's staff were nervously waiting for us and intensely watching every step we made. After we successfully crossed, they then transported us to a truck. Thirty minutes later we crossed another river, which this time seemed quite dry. The rice fields that I had seen along the way indicated that planting season had just begun. 

An hour on the bumpy road brought us to the first village, Suni Ufe. People had been informed in advance that we would come, so as soon as we arrived, a crowd began to form. Coconut were prepared for us for the welcoming drinks. Merita then introduced us to the group and explained the purpose of our trip. I walked around and took some pictures of the d.light that were charging in front of their houses.

People are delightful with d.light. I heard people say encouraging words about how d.light are impacting their lives:

"We don’t need to buy kerosene anymore, and we can save money to pay children’s school fees."

“I save $20 per month!” another woman added.

On the way back we stopped by Molo village to get lunch. Apparently the FEEO staff already arranged to prepare lunch there for us. There were people--men, women and their children--who gathered around waiting for us. 

After lunch, we had an opportunity to talk with people. Once again I heard the same responses about d.light.

There was an old lady who said that she has never bought kerosene since she purchased the d.light and that she has been using her d.light for almost a year now and has not changed the battery. 

“I don’t need to buy kerosene and save the money to buy food and soap.”

We headed back at around 4:30 PM accompanied by a beautiful sunset. It was a wonderful trip.