Engineering students assemble lights for Bohol

CEBU, Philippines - Around 50 Engineering students of the University of San Jose-Recoletos volunteered to fabricate solar lights with the use of solar panels, circuit boards, lithium batteries, polyvinyl chloride couplings, and empty polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottles with water in it to help refract light, but bleached to prevent accumulation of algae. This is for the "Liter of Light" project.

Mechanical, Electrical, and Electronics and Communications Engineering students headed by Mr. Rey Ruedas, chairman of the Electrical Engineering Department, gathered at the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority office in Salinas, Lahug to piece together 100 solar lights for Bohol.

"We are here to help in the fabrication of solar lights with the use of solar panels and rechargeable lithium batteries since the students are familiar with circuitry being part of their curriculum," Ruedas explained.

The act is part of the students' community outreach endeavor. Rather than just donating basic commodities, the participants decided to offer their time even on a holiday. The activity happened on November 30 observed as the 150th birth anniversary (sesquicentennial celebration) of Katipunan leader, Andres Bonifacio. "This is also the best Christmas gift we could give to families affected by the recent earthquake in Bohol, to help light up their lives on their road to recovery," Ruedas added.

"Liter of Light" project is spearheaded by MyShelter Foundation with Illac Angelo Diaz as executive director in partnership with TESDA, which seeks to put an end to energy poverty, offering 11-12 hours power and 3-4 hours charging time.

According to Diaz, these bottle lights are waste plastic bottles recycled into solar lamps, recharging powered by 3.5 volts lithium battery. This aims to provide light for those affected by calamities and those who can't afford electricity so families can have better, stable and renewable source of electric power. "It's free light that's also carbon-free. Every light saves the planet 64kg of carbon waste a year," Diaz added.  (FREEMAN)