Through the Papua New Guinea-Australia Partnership, the "Light for Learning" project has installed solar systems for over 8,000 homes and early 300 community facilities across the Huon Gulf District in the Morobe province.

With solar energy lighting up their homes, children in Laukanu Village, particularly those who attend Laukanu Primary School, can now study whenever they want, for as long as they want.

Noelyn Kahata, a Grade 7 teacher at Laukanu Primary School, has already seen a renewed commitment to education, and not just from her students.

“After I ring the bell at 7pm, I can hear the parents telling all the children to get back home and do their readings,” said Mrs. Kahata.

And while students are working away under solar lights, so are their teachers, marking assignments and preparing lessons for the following day. Solar power is also keeping laptops and phones charged, and digital teaching resources are now available at the click of a mouse or the swipe of a screen.

“We use our phones every day, Monday to Friday. We teach the new Standards-Based Curriculum and follow the online teachers’ guides, but we don't have hard copies. We use online apps instead,” said Mrs. Kahata.

The Light for Learning project, implemented by Australia’s Pawarim Komuniti Partnerships Program and the Kokoda Track Foundation, has resulted in the installation of solar systems for 8,095 homes and 273 community facilities across the district.

The project is already making an impact. Mrs. Kahata has seen a marked improvement in her students’ attendance and performance, and test scores are on the rise.

But above all, it has brought opportunity for children to reach as far as their potential can take them.