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There is always sunshine, after the rain", people say. Here in Sudan, you can be certain that the sun will be there before you know it. So why not using the abundance of sun rays for multiple purposes? In many of the remote communities where we work it is difficult to provide households and schools with the conventional electricity. For many communities it is difficult to have enough light in the school buildings and outside spaces, to use electric equipment and to charge mobile phones. It appears to be common that wedding parties are interrupted several times because the sound system blew up due to electric fluctuations (-which leaves the poor wedding singer singing a capella for a while-). In cooperation with the community members there have been discussions to find some alternatives for the conventionally gained electricity. After long processes and meetings with local solar specialists, the day had finally come for the very first solar panel to arrive in the community. While the children curiously observed every move made, the mechanics installed the solid frame and panel. It surely looked good according to them! One of the staff members went to visit the community the day after and found a group of people watching the football match of the national Sudanese team. At the same time seven different mobile phones were lying on the table waiting to be fully charged. It does look like a successful sustainable change in this particular community. And I am sure the wedding singers will also appreciate this gesture. "
Let the sun shine!"
