My fellowship with Kopernik on Ataúro Island mainly deals with the distribution of d.light S250 solar lights in the village of Biqueli and Solvatten water filters in the village of Vila, along with the two local Non-Governmental Organization (NGOs) Move Forward and Roman Luan. In addition, I also monitor the testing of a new model of cookstove produced in Dili to see how it works and how helpful it could be for the local women.

This week Kopernik’s CEO Toshi, and Kopernik Project Officer Lincoln came from Kopernik’s office in Bali to visit Ataúro Island with a team from NHK Japan to film the work of Kopernik that has been done here. They were interested in knowing and seeing the impact of the technologies Kopernik has distributed to families on the island through its local partners. Soon after they arrived, I accompanied them to visit Roman Luan’s office where they are using a Nazava water filter. It is a light plastic deposit with a filter that can provide save water to drink easily.

 

Toshi is getting some positive feedbacks from Avelino on the Nazava Water Filter

After our first stop, we went to visit two families that had bought one Solvatten. They were happy to share their experience and they welcomed us in their homes and let us film them while talking about it. Avelino Pereira, Roman Luan’s director helped us with the translation English-Tetum.

Then we took a boat and we went to Pala (Biqueli’s sub village) where Osaias Soares, Move Forward’s director, welcomed us in with some coconuts. We went to visit his office. Kopernik team brought a Nazava Filter for the Move Forward to try out and Lincoln showed Osaias and his wife Francisca how the product works. The product filters dirty water and after filtering the water is ready to drink. Osaias and Francisca were very happy to have this kind of product in the office because every night they conduct English lessons for young people and now they will be able to provide them with fresh and clean water during the class without having to boil the water from the well.

Lincoln is showing Osaias and Francisca how the Nazava water filter works while the cameraman is filming the process

Our last stop was Uaruana, where we were visiting some d.light users. We took again a boat to go there and it took us around one hour to arrive, but once we were there we could enjoy the view of a great white sandy beach. The sub village chief welcomed us in his house and we had dinner all together using 3 d.light S250 solar lights. Some of the neighbors had given the d.lights to the chief in order to show us how useful they are, especially in this village where they do not have access to electricity at all. After dinner we also went to visit another family that purchased one of the d.lights distributed during the month of July.

 

One woman in Uaruana was being interviewed while she was using her d.light

It was great to visit all the different projects conducted in the island in one day, and to have the opportunity to show the work that Kopernik is doing here. We are very grateful to NHK Japan for their interest to cover the project here and I hope that you have the opportunity to watch the result!

 

Photos by Olga and Lincoln