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CC Volunteers Help Shed Light

Over half block '06-'07, a group of Colorado College volunteers traveled to Domi, India, to install solar panels in a rural village.

Volunteer Dan Lustick explains, “We tried to introduce an idea of 3D volunteerism: we volunteer to aide you and then you continue the legacy to help others with similar projects, as we have helped you.” It was important for the villagers to know how to operate the light system in order for it to be sustainable. 

The service work installing the solar panels was a major gain to the community. Sophomore Wagma Mommandi explains, “We introduced to and educated the villagers about Thrive lights and the small portable solar powered lights that they were receiving. It was a great experience, and ultimately I feel like we were able to assist them in getting the lights without imposing any cavalier western ‘we're better than you, so we're going to help you,’ ideas or practices.” 

Overall Mommandi confesses that not only the people of Domi benefited from the visit, “Personally, I feel like we got the better end of the deal as far as a cultural exchange. The trip was definitely worth it.  It really opened my eyes to rural village life; the simplicity, yet grinding difficulty of it."