Our journey to Mityana was not just about delivering supplies—it was about creating a meaningful, lasting impact for Christine Namiro and her family. Christine is a dear friend of wePlanet Africa and a trusted rural champion. We first met her when she shared her energy story with us, and her words still resonate deeply.
“Trees are disappearing due to continued use as firewood for cooking and burning bricks. In the past, we used to pick fallen branches for firewood, but today that is impossible. One must cut down a tree for fuel. Our village is becoming bare with each passing year.” Christine a resident in Mityana District.
Since then, we have had the privilege of working alongside her and her family on several initiatives, including agroforestry grassroots training and the filming of our upcoming documentary, Just StopCooking.
During one of these activities, wePlanet Africa decided to introduce Christine to cooking gas to gradually reduce her reliance on charcoal and firewood. When we asked her what else she needed, she mentioned that her solar batteries had died and needed replacing.
This was the purpose of our journey. Alongside my colleague, Matthew Matsiko, we set out to replace their aging batteries with two new 50-watt ones, ensuring the solar system would run smoothly, providing reliable light for their daily activities, and enabling evening studies for the children.
Upon our arrival, we were greeted by heavy rain, but Matthew and I remained determined to make a difference. Our first stop was Juma Electronics in Mityana town, where we procured the new batteries. To ensure seamless installation, we also arranged for a skilled technician to assist with the setup.
With the batteries secured, we made our way to Christine’s village in Mwerere, some 15km from Mityana town. Her children greeted us warmly and shared that their parents were at a burial. While we waited, we engaged with the children, playing games and learning about their routines. Their resilience was a powerful reminder of why we were there—to provide them with a reliable power source that would support their education and improve their quality of life.
When Christine and her husband returned, they were filled with joy. Christine eagerly shared her experience with her new gas stove, a recent addition made possible through wePlanet’s community support initiative. She demonstrated how convenient it was to prepare porridge, explaining that it had eliminated the need for daily firewood collection. “It’s quicker and easier,” she said, delighted by the newfound convenience and cleanliness it brought to her cooking.
The technician then installed the new batteries and connected them to the solar system. Christine’s husband expressed his heartfelt gratitude, relieved that their family would no longer face darkness after sunset and that their children could now study comfortably at night. With the upgraded solar setup and reliable batteries, they were empowered with the stability and independence they had longed for.
Our journey back to Kampala had its challenges, including a motorcycle breakdown, but those minor setbacks were quickly overshadowed by the fulfillment of seeing this family empowered by sustainable energy. Thanks to wePlanet’s support and the family’s resilience, we witnessed the transformative impact of a dependable solar system and sustainable cooking—creating a story of hope and progress.