![Screen Shot 2015-11-05 at 3.33.31 pm Student volunteers arrive by boat to the village, hoping that they have brought sufficient supplies and materials for their important mission ahead.](https://i0.wp.com/blogs.ntu.edu.sg/seeingbeyondourselves/files/2015/10/Screen-Shot-2015-11-05-at-3.33.31-pm-1k5rr37.png?w=359&h=223&ssl=1)
![Screen Shot 2015-11-05 at 3.36.01 pm Putting together the frame for the solar panels.](https://i0.wp.com/blogs.ntu.edu.sg/seeingbeyondourselves/files/2015/10/Screen-Shot-2015-11-05-at-3.36.01-pm-14u9g2b.png?w=334&h=223&ssl=1)
![Screen Shot 2015-11-05 at 3.37.48 pm Students working together to mount the solar panel onto the frame.](https://i0.wp.com/blogs.ntu.edu.sg/seeingbeyondourselves/files/2015/10/Screen-Shot-2015-11-05-at-3.37.48-pm-255r39w.png?w=188&h=223&ssl=1)
![Screen Shot 2015-11-05 at 3.37.30 pm Attaching the solar panel system to the roof of the school!](https://i0.wp.com/blogs.ntu.edu.sg/seeingbeyondourselves/files/2015/10/Screen-Shot-2015-11-05-at-3.37.30-pm-q8zbbh.png?w=183&h=223&ssl=1)
In Ban Keng Khene Secondary School and Ban Lad Khammune School, located in Laos, the students’ minds are far from examinations. Relying only on daylight to carry out lessons, even being able to study is a problem. Without access to electricity, both schools face an impossible challenge to provide a conducive environment for its students, especially during the late afternoons and rainy days.
In June 2014, students from Earthlink NTU visited both schools, which serve youth from seven villages along the Mekong river. With toolboxes in hand, they provided and installed LED lights, fans, electrical wiring and power outlets in every classroom. Their most important mission, however, was to install a 3kW solar panel system in Ban Lad Khammune School that would provide the school with a renewable and consistent source of energy.
To promote concepts of environmental sustainability, student volunteers conducted workshops for the local youth on topics such as sources of energy, and personal hygiene. The school principal and village chief were also briefed on proper usage and maintenance of the solar cells, so that they may leverage the solar system as much as possible and prolong battery life.
About Earthlink NTU
In the recent decade, a lot of attention has been devoted to the notion of environmentalism all around the globe. Therefore, being the only environmental club in NTU since 1993, Earthlink NTU has been promoting environmentalism among staff and students. Earthlink NTU, aims to increase the NTU community’s awareness on environmental issues and also to address climate change in small, achievable and measurable ways.