Student in Dubai dreams to spread light across the world

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Dubai - Ayush Walia, an 18-year-old student, has already distributed 20 solar lanterns and panels to a remote village in India.

By Sarwat Nasir

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Published: Thu 19 Sep 2019, 10:41 PM

Last updated: Fri 20 Sep 2019, 12:48 AM

An Indian teen in Dubai is providing solar energy to underprivileged communities around the world to help light up households that have no electricity.
Ayush Walia, an 18-year-old student at the Dubai International Academy, has already distributed 20 solar lanterns and panels to a remote village in India and over 100 in Uganda. The idea to start this initiative dawned him after he did a school project on solar energy and encouraged three homes to use solar panels.
Later, he transformed this school assignment to a humanitarian cause and started his 'GO Solar' foundation.
"I found out that there are multiple areas around the world where access to electricity is limited. From that moment on, I set out to start my foundation, GO Solar, which aims to eradicate the limited access to electricity and provide a pathway for the unfortunate to succeed in their life," he said.
"In 2017, I completed my first project in a city in India, Alwar, where I donated 20 solar lanterns to a village nearby. Following the success of the project, I had set a goal of donating 100 panels by the next two years. Until now, I successfully donated more than 100 panels in Uganda, India and the UAE by fostering partnerships with local NGOs."
While carrying out his research in India, Walia discovered that farmers in many areas carry out irrigation activities without any source of light - making them a victim to harmful insects in the fields. He felt motivated to pushing his cause to enhance the working conditions in such areas.
"I visited a village called Phatan Khurd, where I trained 20 farmers about the usage of these panels. I talked about how they could use these panels to safely conduct their night activities and how they could use these panels to improve their lives," Walia said.
"I visited a tuition centre in Delhi where I taught underprivileged students the importance of renewable energy and how the future is transitioning into the usage of these means. I then visited a girls' school in Alwar where I taught how these panels could improve their lives, as well as how they could use it to study at night and conduct their household chores without any harm."
In Uganda, Walia provided solar panels to two slum areas, Kikoni and Soroti, where he donated 30 panels to each town. He also carries out Skype sessions with the volunteers to train them on how they can use the panels to their benefit. "I hope to continue providing my support in different countries with the provision of these panels, and I hope that my next project - lighting up a school with a partnership with a company - comes to light in the following months," Walia added.
sarwat@khaleejtimes.com


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