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Mandapajaya Village faces significant limitations in street lighting infrastructure. Electricity poles are only available around the village hall, leaving large areas unlit at night. This condition not only hampers residents’ mobility but also increases the risk of accidents on village roads with steep inclines, sharp turns, and intersections.

To address this issue, the students initiated the installation of solar-powered streetlights. A total of 10 lamp posts were installed across four hamlets: Manis (3 lamps), Puhun (3 lamps), Kliwon (2 lamps), and Wage (2 lamps). The lamps were strategically placed in areas with minimal lighting and along routes frequently used by the community.

Despite facing technical challenges such as limited time for foundation curing and frequent rainfall, the students, together with local residents, managed to complete the project successfully.

In addition to the main program, Group 8 also carried out non-thematic activities, including a stargazing event called Lintas Semesta, community sports, and participation in the preparations for Indonesia’s Independence Day celebrations on August 17. They also conducted educational sessions at local elementary schools on topics such as static and dynamic electricity, how solar streetlights work, and the potential of solar panels as a renewable energy source.

Group leader Raymond As Mikhael Hutabarat (Electrical Engineering, 2021) shared that the program offered valuable lessons both technically and personally. “We learned directly from the villagers how to dig the ground, pour concrete, and install poles. Beyond that, we learned how to integrate into the community, help our host families with daily chores, and understand the meaning of leadership in togetherness. It felt like leading a family, not just a team,” he said.

The local community warmly welcomed the program, emphasizing that the new streetlights bring tangible benefits. The lighting improves safety, facilitates nighttime mobility, and introduces environmentally friendly technology to the village. Residents expressed their gratitude, noting that the previously dark and hazardous roads are now safer for everyday use.

Looking ahead, Group 8 hopes that the community will maintain and make the most of the streetlights so that the benefits can be sustained. “We hope that residents can move more safely and freely at night, while also becoming more aware that renewable energy can be a viable solution for electricity needs,” Raymond added.

Reporter: Chysara Rabani (Mining Engineering, 2022)