At Brookfield State School, a classroom activity has extended beyond the school grounds, with Year 6 students assembling solar lights for children in other parts of the world who lack electricity.
A classroom with a wider view
Inside the classroom, the task was simple but meaningful. Students worked side by side, carefully putting together Solar Buddy lights piece by piece. What might have felt like a hands-on lesson in following instructions soon took on greater weight as students learned where the lights would go and who would use them.
The session, supported by Rotary Club of Kenmore, introduced the concept of energy poverty, helping students understand how the absence of reliable electricity shapes daily life for many families. It also placed renewable energy into a real-world context, linking classroom learning to global challenges.
As the lights came together, so did a sense of shared purpose. Students worked in small groups, supporting each other through the process. Alongside the assembly, each child wrote a short letter to accompany the light — a small but personal gesture to someone they may never meet.
Lighting the path to learning
The finished lights will be shipped to communities in Papua New Guinea, Fiji and the Solomon Islands, where access to electricity is limited or unavailable. In these places, a simple light can make a difference to a child’s ability to read, study and complete schoolwork after dark.
The initiative is part of the work of SolarBuddy, an Australian charity focused on reducing energy poverty through practical solutions and education programs. By partnering with schools, the program connects students in Australia with communities facing very different circumstances.
Support for the session at Brookfield State School included funding from local community sponsors and representatives, helping ensure the materials and kits were available for students to take part.
A connection that reaches beyond the classroom
The activity reflects a longer commitment from Kenmore Rotary to involve schools in projects that combine service with learning. Over several years, similar sessions have seen more than 1,200 students in energy-poor communities benefit from solar lights assembled by Australian students.
The experience also provided a moment to reflect on the contrast between the students’ own daily routines and those of children elsewhere, while also showing that even small actions can contribute to broader change.
Published 20-March-2026
