The Boat Budaya relies on solar energy
devices. When the sun sets and the boat is not moving, there is no electricity
(the generator only works when the boat is moving). That is when we blow up the
Luminaid cushions and place them beside us as we eat so that we can see the
food in the pot. At night we dangle one or two from the roof or place it on the
floor so that there is a bit of ambient light if anybody has to get up in the
night.
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| Sunning the Luminaids while waiting for the Boat Budaya at Tabo Cottages (Photo by MJA Nashir) |
Our Boat Captain, Mr. Siregar, is very fond
of the lights. He and his two assistants always borrow one at night so that
they have one in the bridge where they sleep. Recently, the captain asked me if
he could have one. I told him about our goal of sharing information about solar
energy and how it could transform Tano Batak. The Captain was enthusiastic. He
wants to share the information with his future passengers and perhaps even
order a few more. We are all dependent on our Luminaids. The handy handle
allows us to carry it easily and hang it everywhere, including the door of the
toilet.
Yesterday the Regent of Samosir Island
visited us and I showed him our array of solar equipment. He, too, was
immediately taken with the practical value of it. There are parts of Samosir
where there is still no electricity and solar energy would alleviate many problems.
I gave him one of our Luminaids. The reporters who had accompanied him on his
visit to the Boat Budaya all immediately wanted one as well.
We use the WAKAWAKA lights regularly as
well. The WAKAWAKA light is more powerful than that of the Luminaid, so we use
it differently. It is useful as a flashlight to light up a path in the night or
to read. Sometimes we fix our Wakawakas in the roof of the boat and let the
light shine down on what we are doing.
I am struck by how technically oriented
Febrina is and how quickly she adapts to life with solar energy, how
experimental she is. She tries to charge two cell phones at once, tried to
charge her camera battery, tries to charge while the solar cell is sunning. She
is never without her light. Last night, I noticed that she had accidentally
pressed against the on-button in the night in her sleep, and I felt like a
caring Mom when I turned it off for her gently so that her sleep would not be
disturbed and her batteries would not run down.
It is the rainy season, so we have to be
careful to grab the sunlight when we can. It makes us conscious of the presence
of the sun. We need a safe place to lay out our solar cells and we do not have such
a place on our boat.
Yesterday, when the crowds of photographers climbed aboard
to witness and document the boat races, we had to forego our sunlight because
we did not want to risk losing our solar equipment. The hardship this entails
is that we can’t charge our cell phones. In the back of my mind I am designing
a Boat Budaya that will better accommodate our needs. It will have a protected
place atop the roof where we can sun our cells. And perhaps that part of the
roof will be made of glass so that we can tell at a glance if we have anything
charging.
I had brought a Wakawaka for myself on this
journey, but I gave it to Pak Jerry when we were still in Jakarta. As a driver,
he immediately knew that it was indispensable for him. He can charge it on the
dashboard while driving and he has it at night when he has to guard the car,
sleep under awkward circumstances where there is no electricity, or charge his
cell phone. Really, the instruments are ideal for Indonesian chauffeurs.
Ompu Okta was enamourned of the Luminaid.
She loves its soft light. She has a bare lightbulb hanging above her loom at
home and it bothers her eyes when she weaves at night. Time and again she asked
to me to give her a Luminaid and I promised that I would give her one when we
visit in her kampong.
Beyond that, I have given one to Pak Dian
Sidauruk. He invited us to his home in Simanindo two days ago and impressed us
with his lifestyle. He had chosen to make his home a model of tidiness,
cleanliness and efficiency. He lives in a Batak house and has outfitted it so
that it has the conveniences of a modern home. He is a remarkable man and
immediately saw the benefits of solar energy lamps. He works with NGOs and is a
leader. I know that he will make good use of the lamp and will share his
knowledge of it with everybody who visits.
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MJA Nashir took this photograph in Medan when we showed our
film at the Suarasama Culture House. The luminaid 'cushions'
are on the floor in front of our posters for the Pulang Kampung projects.
The final scenes of Rangsa ni Tonun are displayed on the screen.
The cushions provided just the perfect amount of light for watching the film.
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I like selecting the places where I will
donate the lights. Donating the lights is like donating my books and our film.
They are seeds. We plant them and we hope they will grow. I think of Dirk and
Sineke van Uitert back home, who donated these lamps. I know that they would
agree with my selections. I also think of the idealist, Wibo Teerlink, who
introduced me to the lamps and who sold them to us for a good price. I wish
that they could all be with us. They would feel proud and fulfilled to see the
good use to which their kind donations are being put.
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