Donate Solar Energy to Poverty-Stricken Orang Asli Families

THE PROBLEM

Nenek Jamilah is a Jakun Orang Asli living deep in an oil palm plantation in Pahang. Her husband has long passed away so she lives alone. Despite being in her 70s, she still works as a rubber tapper, earning RM60-70 every two weeks. 

She spent RM25 of her hard-earned money to buy a USB rechargeable lamp for use at night. Although she is pleased with it, she still has to ask for help to charge it and if it burns out, she’ll have to endure long nights by candlelight until she can save enough money for another one.

According to the World Energy Outlook 2017, the Orang Asli make up the highest population in Malaysia living without access to electricity, numbering about 297,000. Global Peace has been working with underserved communities for the past three years, impacting 43 villages to date through community development projects.

Nenek Jamilah, like many other Orang Asli in Pahang, still do not have access to electricity. As a result, they resort to burning oil lamps or palm kernel bonfires that emit a lot of smoke, burning the eyes and making it hard to breathe. Otherwise, they are forced to spend what little money they have on short-term solutions like batteries, power banks, and fuel-powered generators.

The Orang Asli communities that we work with earn around RM200 to RM800 a month, they fall within the bottom B40 group and some are living below the national poverty line. With little resources and no access to electricity, they have to turn to energy solutions that pose a health hazard and take up a hefty chunk of their income. 

We ask for your help to improve their quality of life and relieve their financial burden by providing solar energy that is environmentally-friendly and sustainable. 

THE SOLUTION

Your donation will go towards providing each family with a home solar system that powers one tube lighting and two light bulbs. The battery pack can also be used to charge mobile phones and small electronical devices like flashlights and radios. 

The funds collected will be used for the Orang Asli villages around Chini and Muadzam Shah in Pahang, which are among the most underserved communities in Malaysia.

THE IMPACT

• Each household can save up to RM36 a week from not buying heavy-duty 6V batteries and fuel to power generators. That money can be used to fund their children’s education and purchase food and daily necessities. 
• They do not have to travel to town or neighbouring villages, which takes up to an hour per trip, just to charge their mobile phones and power banks. The time saved can be spent on productive income-generating activities.
• The number of productive hours increase from 12 hours to 18 hours a day with solar energy providing light at night. Typically, an Orang Asli’s day ends at sunset and most of the day’s work have to be completed by then. With an additional few hours at night, mothers can safely do household chores like sewing and cooking, and children can read and study.
• They can stay connected to the rest of the world through their mobile devices. Charging mobile phones is difficult for the Orang Asli so some of them leave their phones uncharged for days at a time. With solar energy, their phones can be constantly powered up and they can rely more on their phones for business transactions, relaying news and information, and emergencies.

Goal Breakdown

Goal 1 - Home solar system and installation material for a community of up to 15 families.. Amount Needed: MYR4,000

Goal 2 - Community engagement and training supplies. Amount Needed: MYR1,000

Give Light, Give Hope