SEATTLE, WA. — President Buu Nygren of the Navajo Nation honored dozens of volunteers with Light Up Navajo for installing electrical power lines in over 120 Navajo homes that previously lacked electricity.
The volunteers who have donated their time and resources to provide solar power to homes in the Navajo Nation were recognized today for their contributions.
The volunteers came from across the country to help install the electrical systems to provide power for lights, refrigerators, and other basic needs. Many Navajo families live far from the power grid, and some have never had electricity in their homes.
Typical costs for a home in the Navajo Nation to get electricity can cost as high as $40,000. NTUA estimates the Light Up Navajo imitative brings costs down to as low as $8,000 per home, through donations and the volunteer work of the utility companies that come from across the country.
President Nygren commended the volunteers for seeing a need and working to fill it, The volunteers brought light and power to Navajo citizens living in remote areas, improving their living conditions and quality of life. The President said he was raised without electricity and running water for all his childhood and understands how it feels to not have basic amenities the rest of the country enjoys.
“I know what it means to grow up without electricity, without running water,” he said. “The first time I had electricity was when I was in high school, the first time I had running water was when I was a freshman at Arizona State University. So, I know what it means for young children that are going through the same struggles I experienced.”
President Nygren went on to tell the volunteers electricians their contributions and donating their time and energy has helped many Navajo families get power for the first time.
“With your goodwill, your help, your partnership through Light Up Navajo, and the love you have for the Navajo people, you have allowed them to be successful in America, too,” he said.
The volunteer group Light Up Navajo has connected Navajo homes to the power grid that previously lacked electricity. In addition, more than 25 miles of new power lines have been built, according to Navajo Tribal Utility Authority spokeswoman Deenise Becenti. The project, Light Up Navajo IV, has two more weeks before it concludes. The aim is to get at least 150 homes connected; Becenti added.
In addition to an unemployment rate that hovers at 48%, the income of approximately 34% of Navajo families living in the Navajo Nation falls below the poverty line. Challenges like these, have made it difficult for many families to get power or running water to their homes.
At a ceremony on June 20, President Nygren presented the volunteers with certificates of appreciation for their humanitarian work and commitment to service. Many of the volunteers have traveled from across the United States to donate their time and skills to the Light Up Navajo project.
The President was honored to recognize the volunteers. If there remains a need in the Navajo Nation, Light Up Navajo vows to continue their volunteer efforts and President Nygren offered his full support.
“These volunteers have given selflessly of their time, skills, and resources,” said Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren. “They saw a need and worked to fill it, bringing light and power to our people who live in remote areas. We are deeply grateful for their service.”
Light Up Navajo started in 2019 to address this issue and help bring electricity to Navajo families. The all-volunteer group has installed electrical systems free of charge in hundreds of homes since it began.
The volunteers were recognized with certificates of appreciation from the Navajo Nation for their humanitarian work in improving living conditions and the quality of life for Navajo citizens.
Light Up Navajo says they will continue their volunteer efforts for as long as there remains a need on the reservation.
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