The "Lighting Lives" project aims to provide solar lighting to approximately 6,000 homes in off-grid areas of Indonesia, Cambodia, and the Philippines, benefiting around 36,000 people. It is an initiative of the non-profit organization Majlis Pusat based in Singapore to deliver sustainable solar energy to disadvantaged communities that currently lack access to electricity. The solar kits will be assembled locally to generate employment and economic opportunities for beneficiaries, who will also receive training to support installation and maintenance of the systems.

1. Launch Of
LIGHTING LIVES
At Pulau Smakau, Riau, Indonesia
Wed, 27 March 2013

2. LIGHTING LIVES
Approximately 1.3 billion people do not have access to electricity. Help us light-up their
lives.
WHAT IT’S ALL ABOUT
“Lighting Lives” is part of Majlis Pusat’s community
projects, where we reach out to disadvantaged
communities in Indonesia, Cambodia and Philippines
and other remote parts of Asia to light-up their homes
and villages which are off-grid or not connected to
electrical supply.
In this project, we deliver solar lighting that is clean,
renewable and sustainable. There are three (3) unique
features of “Lighting Lives”, namely:
1) Creating Local Ownership
Majlis Pusat works with local partners to secure ownership and participation of the villagers in this project. Local
partners also make arrangements to monitor the project, and submit regular progress report on the project.
2) Creating Employment For The Local Beneficiaries
The solar kits are assembled at the local area, providing opportunities for employment of the local beneficiaries.
Beneficiaries are also trained to provide delivery, installation and post-installation and maintenance services.
3) Affordable Solar Kit For All
Majlis Pusat and the local partner ensure that the solar kit goes direct to the beneficiaries. We work with local partners
to arrange for easy payment schemes, or such other means to ensure that the solar kits are readily available. Where
necessary, solar kits are distributed free to the beneficiaries.

3. WHY “LIGHTING LIVES”?
Here in Singapore, light has become so ubiquitous, that we take it
for granted. However in other parts of the world, some even right
at our doorstep, as is in the case of Indonesia, access to light has
proven to be elusive.
In off-grid places, the pace and quality of life is determined by the
absence of light. Life slows down or comes to a standstill after
sunset. Inadequate lighting hinders progress, education and
development opportunities.
In some instances, poor lighting substitutes such as kerosene-lamps, directly impacts health, environment and safety of
the people.
The United Nation Development Programme’s statistics present a dark picture. An estimated 79% of the people in the
Third World - the 50 poorest nations - have no access to electricity, despite decades of international development
work.
The total number of individuals without electric power is put at about 1.5
billion, or a quarter of the world's population, concentrated mostly in
Africa, southern Asia and parts of Indonesia and Indochina. In Indonesia,
our neighbour next door, more than 86 million Indonesians – around one
third of the total population – still lack the basic access to electricity.
Lack of light and poverty goes hand-in-hand, but with many helping
hands, we can provide clean and renewable lighting to people, and make
a difference to their lives.

4. OBJECTIVES OF “LIGHTING LIVES”
“Lighting Lives” has the following objectives:
1) Provide homes in off-grid places in the region with
sustainable solar light energy, and in the process, become a
catalyst to change, growth and development in these areas
2) Promote and strengthen goodwill at people-to-people
levels in our effort to contribute to building a connected
Asia to further common causes and goals
OBJECTIVES OF “LIGHTING LIVES”
“Lighting Lives” has the following objectives:
1) Provide homes in off-grid places in the region with sustainable solar light energy, and in the process, become a
catalyst to change, growth and development in these areas
2) Promote and strengthen goodwill at people-to-people levels in our effort to contribute to building a connected Asia
to further common causes and goals
WHO ARE THE BENEFICIARIES?
The beneficiaries of “Lighting Lives” are the disadvantaged, poor and needy households in Indonesia, Cambodia and
Philippines who have no access to light or electricity. The project will lightt-up 6000 homes in these areas, benefitting
some 36,000 beneficiaires.
WHY SOLAR ENERGY?
Solar energy is inexhaustible and pollution-free renewable energy.
With the rapid development of technology, solar energy has become cost-effective, highly accessible and the most
environmentally friendly energy sources.

5. ABOUT MAJLIS PUSAT
Majlis Pusat is a not-for-profit social voluntary organisation
based in Singapore.
We are committed to building cultural and socio-economic
bridges as catalysts for change and growth towards community
bonding and civilisation building. Our core activities are Social
Enterprise, Early Education, Arts & Culture and Community
Reach-Outs.
We are registered with the Registrar of Societies, and work
closely with Government Ministries, which include Ministry of
Social & Family Development; Ministry of Information,
Communication & the Arts; and Singapore Tourism Board.
We are also a member of the People’s Association and National Council of Social
Services.
Our other partners include Community Development Councils, National Library Board,
National Youth Council, National Arts Council and Malay Heritage Foundation.
CONTACT US
Majlis Pusat
93 Toa Payoh Central #06-01
Toa Payoh Central Community Building
Singapore 319194
Tel: 62514458
Fax : 6251 4481
www.majlispusat.org

6. Launch Of
LIGHTING LIVES
At Pulau Smakau, Riau, Indonesia
Wed, 27 March 2013
A Visual Journey…

43. Launch Of
LIGHTING LIVES
At Pulau Smakau, Riau, Indonesia
Wed, 27 March 2013