By Ragan M. Conteh

Many students and people in impoverished rural settings do not have access to electricity, thus leaving many with a limited opportunities.

Without electricity, for example, it is not possible to hold school lessons after the sunset. And this does not only  affect children’s learning but the adult people in communities also.

The students would have to help their parents in the farms during the day. Solar lights are essential to children’s education in modern days.

Without them, it makes every evening lessons impossible for students.

In this backdrop, one of the resourceful sons of Patifu Mayawa Village, Yele Chiefdom in Tonkolili District, Andrew Conteh  has donated some solar streets lights benefitting about 63 villages.

Addressing hundreds of the community stakeholders, on Saturday 19th April 2025, at Mayawa community center, Andrew Conteh said he and his children, have decided to put  resources together as a way to help their communities by taking them out of the darkness.

He said these solar street lights could help prevent crimes in the areas and would provide better light system which would scare away criminals.

Conteh emphasized that, the project is purely to help students to study at night while boosting social and economic activities in the communities.

Andrew Conteh said  the “solar panels” require enough sunlight to be able to produce electricity at night.

He said the location where these solar panels are placed under the sunlight will enable them to rechargeable.

He added  that these lights are not only environmentally friendly but they also offer several advantages that could benefit communities.

Making his statement, the chairman of the occasion, John Reginald Conteh alluded to the fact that, the solar lights provided by Andrew Conteh, will contribute to the social, educational, and economic well-being of the locals.

According to John  Reginald Conteh, the donation of these solar light is a laudable venture, which is aimed at alleviating the sufferings of the people at Patifu Mayawa village, and the entire Yele Chiefdom.

He said this is not the first time Andrew Conteh and family have donated solar lights but had done so over the last two years which benefit many people.

Conteh said before now the people in those communities especially the students often used local lamps to study at nights.

But, he said, “today through the gesture of Andrew Conteh they are boasting of having bright solar lights in most communities.

He pleaded on the community to safeguard the lights from being stolen by thieves, and should use the solar gifts for their intended purposes with special caution given to the students.

A student of Mayawa academy, Rosaline Kamara expressed her deepest happiness for such a wonderful gesture that has led to the development of their community.

She added that before now the community was like a gravesite during the night.

But with the solar lights coming, their community has become almost a mini-city.

“We appreciate Andrew Conteh and the donors for the laudable venture. Bringing solar lights to our door steps means our lifespan has been increased considerably.”” “We don’t need to chase after the big cities anymore because we have all it takes now here to live a better life,” she said.

Another student of the Seventh Day Adventist Secondary School Yele, Sylvester Sillah, said it is important to have the solar lights in their impoverished communities.

“We now have the privilege to study at night, to stay outside much longer at night and above all, to have social gathering without a fear of the dark.”

“Thanks to Andrew Conteh for such extraordinary efforts and support given to us,” he said.

The Town Chief of Patifu Mayawa village, Chief Brima Kanu expressed appreciation to the donors, and he extended his appreciation and determination to always offer prayers to Andrew and family for their unwavering commitment  to supporting hundreds of people in the impoverished communities.

He revealed that their community have been abandoned long ago but with the help of their son Andrew Conteh they are now feeling better as they have been connected to modern day technology lighting system.

“I used to sleep 7:30 to 8:00pm but today I will sit outside until 12:00 a.m before going to bed. The beauty of my village is unmatched– than the big cities in Sierra Leone, ” Chief Kanu boasted.

The Chief also applauded Andrew Conteh for providing a plasma TV in their community center where hundreds of football fans watch both local and international games for a free of charge.

“Our neighbors are always coming to our village to watch games and also enjoy the beauty of our village,” he said.

The Chief further commended: “Andrew Conteh’s exemplary heart and service and they deeply appreciated him.

The Paramount Chief of Yele Chiefdom, PC Bai Komp Kanasong II, appreciated Andrew Conteh for his unwavering support to the communities.