Lighting Lives: Our First Mission in the Mountains of Badian
Nestled deep in the hills of the Philippines lies the small mountain region of Badian — a place where life is beautiful, but far from easy. For generations, many of the communities here have lived without reliable access to electricity or clean water. When the sun sets, the day ends. Children do their homework by candlelight or not at all. And families rely on open flames for cooking and lighting, putting them at daily risk of house fires and respiratory illness.
In May 2025, Power4Change took its very first step toward changing that.
What began as a simple idea — to bring light to 50 homes — grew into something so much bigger. Our team, made up entirely of volunteers, travelled from Australia to the Philippines, carrying not just solar gear but hope, tools, and a fierce determination to create something lasting. We weren’t a big organisation. We didn’t have unlimited funds. In fact, the entire mission was self-funded by our founder, Sarah — a 25-year-old apprentice electrician who had saved every last cent to make it happen.
And then… everything went sideways.
Shipping delays. Customs red tape. Wrong promises. We lost weeks waiting for the equipment to arrive — gear that had been guaranteed to be there well before our team landed. What followed were frantic days of re-booking flights, sleeping in airports, stretching our budget beyond its limits, and facing the real possibility that the mission might fall apart entirely.
But we didn’t come this far to quit.
When the gear finally arrived — just 24 hours before our flight home — we hit the ground running. We rode dirt bikes deep into the mountains, worked through the night, and trained local community members to install and maintain the systems long after we left. The tired eyes, the sore hands, the race against time… it was all worth it when we saw homes light up for the first time. When we saw kids laughing under solar-powered bulbs. When we saw mothers breathe easier knowing they didn’t have to cook by firelight.
This wasn’t just about power — it was about dignity. About opportunity. About giving people the tools to live with a little more comfort, safety, and choice.
Our first mission didn’t go to plan. But in many ways, it went exactly how it was meant to. It taught us resilience. It tested our limits. And it proved what’s possible when people come together, even with limited resources, to create something that matters.
We’ll never forget the faces, the stories, and the strength of the people we met in Badian. This was just the beginning. And if you’re reading this — you’re part of what comes next.