Nestled deep in the mountains of San Miguel, Catanduanes, the remote barangay of JMA (Juan Marcelo Alberto) Tucao, a Geographically Isolated and Disadvantaged Area (GIDA), lies about an hour from Virac, the provincial capital.
(Left) The village of JMA Tucao as seen a few kilometers from a roadside cliff.
(Right) Visitors and residents need to cross a hundred-meter hanging bridge to reach the other side of the village where their school resides.
Travelers heading there are greeted by breathtaking views of the sea, sprawling rice fields, and winding unpaved roads that cut through cliffs, rivers, and mountain slopes teeming with wildlife. Yet beyond the beauty of the journey lies the daily reality for children, where reaching school often means crossing a hanging bridge, and studying at night takes place under the dim glow of a kerosene lamp or, at times, in complete darkness.
Like many neighboring communities, JMA Tucao experiences frequent power interruptions, sometimes lasting an entire day. For families and students, this means long nights without light and learning hours cut short.
To help light up their path to learning, Educo Philippines, in partnership with SolarBuddy, distributed 48 solar-powered devices to learners in JMA Tucao. The initiative aims to provide sustainable, renewable solar solutions to off-grid families, ensuring that every child has the opportunity to study safely, even after sunset.
SolarBuddy, lighting homes and futures since 2016
Founded in 2016, SolarBuddy is an international impact organization that unites a global community to illuminate the futures of children living in energy poverty. The organization believes that for future generations to thrive, no child should be left behind, especially those whose education, health, and well-being are limited by lack of access to safe and reliable energy.
Millions of families worldwide continue to live without electricity, forcing children to study by candlelight or kerosene lamps. This silent challenge, known as energy poverty, not only limits learning opportunities but also affects children’s safety, health, and long-term economic potential. SolarBuddy aims to address this complex problem by combining sustainable technology, community engagement, and education-focused programs.
One of SolarBuddy’s key innovations is the StudentBuddy, a modular, solar-powered light and device charger designed for off-grid communities. Lightweight, durable, and easy to use, the StudentBuddy provides reliable lighting for studying, reading, and household tasks, while the charging ports help children and families stay connected.
More than just a device, the StudentBuddy is a beacon of hope, enabling children to learn safely after dark, supporting families in their daily lives, and fostering resilience and self-reliance in communities where electricity remains unreliable.
Through this partnership, Educo Philippines and SolarBuddy distributed 48 StudentBuddy devices to learners and households in JMA Tucao, empowering children, supporting education, and bringing sustainable change to one of Catanduanes’ most remote areas.
Learning in the dark
Teacher Jocelle, a five-year educator at JMA Tucao Elementary School, shared the challenges of teaching in a community frequently affected by power outages.
Many days, according to her, classes are disrupted without notice due to brownouts, sometimes lasting an entire day. After Typhoon Kristine in 2024, teachers had to craft backup modules and distance learning materials to ensure education continued. Submitting reports to the Department of Education also became a challenge without electricity.
“Sometimes, classes are held on the stage, in hallways, or even under an acacia tree when the electricity goes out,” Jocelle said. “It’s difficult to keep children focused, especially in the digital age, where learning is enhanced through TVs, the internet, and other tools. Many students, particularly in the lower grades, struggle to stay attentive when there’s no light.”
Not all students have electricity at home. Families often use flashlights and lamps for livelihood activities, such as fishing or farming, leaving children in the dark.
“SolarBuddy has been a huge help for the children’s learning,” Jocelle emphasized. “Even delivering modules has become easier because the children now have light. Some kids used to feel scared in the dark, but these solar lamps give them safety and confidence to continue learning.”
Ella, an 11-year-old Grade Six pupil at JMA Tucao Elementary School, shared her perspective as a young learner.
“I love studying, and I want to finish my education so I can become a teacher and help kids who have a hard time finishing their studies,” Ella said. “My favorite subjects are Filipino and Values Education, where we learn about our own language as well as kindness and helping others.”
Without electricity, Ella often struggled to complete her assignments. After Typhoon Kristine, her barangay was left without power for days.
“When it’s dark, I have to borrow a flashlight from my grandmother to do my schoolwork, sometimes on the floor of our small home,” she said. “I feel scared when it’s very dark, and sometimes it’s hard to study. I’m so happy we now have SolarBuddy. With this light, I can do my assignments every day, and it also helps my family.”
Lighting hope, one solar light at a time
During the distribution activity in JMA Tucao, children eagerly received their StudentBuddy devices, their faces lighting up as they switched them on for the first time.
“We hope this will serve as a partner and support to help children in their learning,” said Marlon Villanueva, Country Director of Educo Philippines. “Through this initiative, we hope to provide not just light, but the means for children to pursue their education and reach for their dreams.”
Leading the initiative was Tanvi Bhatia, an Australian Volunteer with Educo Philippines. She drew on her previous experience delivering solar-powered JuniorBuddy lights and STEM education in Karratha, Australia, noting how even a simple light can transform safety, learning, and community connection. Halfway across the world, she had the chance to bring that impact to JMA Tucao, a community isolated by geography, frequent power outages, and typhoons.
“These lights are more than just devices, they are tools of safety, education, and resilience,” Tanvi said. “Teachers told us how the lights help them continue teaching even during blackouts, and the built-in charging ports have been a huge help in keeping devices powered. For me, this project comes full circle, and I’m proud to continue this journey toward energy equity.”
Meanwhile, SolarBuddy Executive Director Daniel Belzer emphasized the organization’s gratitude and pride in seeing the partnership come to life. He noted how collaborations like this make their mission tangible.
“We’re so thankful to our friends at Educo Philippines for helping bring SolarBuddy devices to children in JMA Tucao,” Belzer said. “Knowing that kids are now able to study at home after the sun goes down is incredibly special, it’s why we do what we do.”
He added that every solar light represents more than technology; it’s a spark of opportunity.
“Even the smallest light can make a world of difference,” Belzer added. “Knowing that children can now read, learn, and dream a little longer each night fills our whole team with pride and purpose.”
Lighting the way forward
Through partnerships like this with SolarBuddy, Educo Philippines continues to strengthen its advocacy for inclusive, equitable, and sustainable learning environments for children. The simple act of providing light represents a powerful message: that every child, regardless of distance or circumstance, deserves the chance to shine.
