Normand Courtemanche, an experienced traveller and environmentalist from Canada, was Sewalanka Foundation’s first Solar Sister volunteer in Sri Lanka. He recounts his experience of an unforgettable holiday installing a solar power system for a school in Kudawa; a remote village bordering Sri Lanka’s only rainforest.

Volunteer installs Solar System into school in Kulawa.

I was looking for a different type of holiday and way of meeting people that would integrate my values and interests. After searching on the internet, I found the volunteer Solar Sisters program; it was initiated in Nepal by the Himalayan Light Foundation and had recently expanded to Sri Lanka through a partnership with Sewalanka. The program provides solar systems for schools, clinics and other community buildings in remote areas not connected to the power grid.

The Kudawa Village School had already been identified as needing such an installation. This school with nine total rooms was electrified by kerosene; and over six litres of kerosene are used each month.  The accumulated expense and health risks of kerosene have significant impact on the community and the environment.

Now this project was for me! All the elements were there: contribution to education and sustainable development in a nice village bordering a forest renowned for its astounding variety of wildlife and the opportunity to explore the forest individually and in the company of the village residents.

After arriving in Sri Lanka, I was met by Mr. Lal Fernando from Sewalanka Foundation. The first day of the project was a basic course in solar systems at a company in Colombo. In the afternoon I departed with all equipment and material to Sewalanka’s regional office, about 5 km from Kudawa Village.

The office, which is surrounded by tea plantations and luxurious vegetation, was to be my hotel for a few days until I moved to Sunil’s house, a park guide. Sunil’s warm-hearted family welcomed me and his home was surrounded by plush vegetation, rice paddies, tea plantations and breathtaking scenery. I can still hear the birds and all the forest noises.

The following day, arriving at the school in a Tuk-Tuk, I was greeted with dancing and a music reception given by the children dressed in colourful suits. It was quite comforting to see a primary school in such a beautiful and quiet surrounding. Meeting the school staff was enjoyable around a delicious table full of fresh food.

Numerous lunch breaks during my stay in the village, was a discovery of Singhalese home cooked cuisine; which is diverse, fresh and good for the stomach; absolutely delicious. Not to mention an abundance of fresh fruits, some unknown to me. The Kudawa village residents are agrarian by tradition, with the cultivation of tea serving as the primary source of livelihood.

Two days, with two technicians and a helping hand from the village community and school staff was all that was needed to complete the installation of a solar system consisting of eight energy saving lamps, a 50W solar module with battery pack, voltage regulator, breakers, plugs and switches. The system will allow use of a radio cassette, computer and other audiovisual.

Given that Kudawa Village is the entry point to Sinharaja World Heritage Forest Reserve. A walk through this tall forest, full of animal sounds, with butterflies of all colours and forms flying around us was fascinating.

The rewarding test came before departure: lighting the school for the event of the “festival of lights”. A community celebration by the children full of colourful dances, theatre, songs and music. This was followed by a scrumptious feast. Souvenirs of a lifetime

The ten day program is approximately US$1,700 and includes a hotel stay on arrival, site seeing, basic training in Solar Systems, all solar equipment and ongoing maintenance, all ground transportation, stay and food in the village.

Overall, I found this project allowed a meaningful contact with people from another culture, while at the same time contributing in a sustainable way to the community.