“Why am I letting my grandparents go through this when I could do something about it?” wondered high school senior Kelly Charley, a young inventor from the Navajo Nation.
The Navajo Nation, spanning over 4,345 kilometers across three U.S. states, faces significant challenges with access to basic utilities. Approximately one-third of homes lack electricity, and many residents travel more than 160 kilometers to obtain coal for heating.
Motivated by her grandparents’ struggles and the broader community’s needs, Kelly is developing an innovative solar heater designed to serve the thousands of homes without electricity. Traditional reliance on coal not only imposes logistical hardships but is also linked by researchers to respiratory illnesses prevalent in the region.
Kelly’s solar heater aims to harness the abundant sunlight in the area, offering a sustainable and accessible solution to improve living conditions. Her invention represents a beacon of hope for the Navajo people, blending traditional values with modern technology to address pressing social and health issues.
This initiative highlights the power of youth innovation in driving positive change within indigenous communities and underscores the importance of renewable energy solutions in remote areas.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
