Mindanao children's future now bright with USAID-funded rural electrification.

 Sarah, from the small island village of Pangapuyan in Zamboanga City, switches on the lights on a map of Mindanao to symbolize the energization by the Alliance for Mindanao Off-grid Renewable Energy (AMORE) Program of 142 remote, conflict-affected villages in the south that cannot be connected to the existing power grid, with stand-alone, indigenous and clean renewable energy such as solar and microhydro to improve quality of life as a foundation for long-term peace in the war-torn region. With the bright electric lights installed in her community and household by AMORE, Sarah now has more time to study at night and can thus do better at school, while her elders can now continue their livelihood activities at night for more income opportunities.

Sarah and her community now also enjoy a greater sense of security, permanence and unity. AMORE is a program of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) that is being implemented by US-based clean energy and rural development NGO Winrock International in partnership with the Department of Energy, the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, and Mirant Philippines. In photo with Sandra are (L-R) Pangapuyan barangay captain Abdulgani Jailani, US Ambassador to the Philippines Francis Ricciardone, USAID Administrator Andrew Natsios, and ARMM Governor Dr. Parouk Hussin.