Each evening, as the sun set in the Navajo Nation, Colynn Begay relied on a small battery-powered light to assist her five sons with homework, snack preparation, and bedtime routines. On its highest brightness, the light only lasted about 20 minutes.
“Life is challenging without electricity,” Begay, a single mother, explained. “When the light fades, I struggle to get my kids ready or organize their school clothes for the next day. I can’t see in the kitchen, so I use my phone light. My kids can’t finish their homework without light at night, so we usually complete it as soon as they return from school.”
Begay and her family reside 30 minutes from Chinle, Arizona, where about 14,000 homes in the Navajo Nation lack electricity. Many families’ routines revolve around daylight, including traveling to relatives’ homes to charge devices or making an hour-long round trip nightly to eat out due to the absence of a refrigerator or stove.
This changed in March 2026, when Begay’s home was equipped with a solar power system through a partnership between Heart of America, a national education nonprofit, and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
In recent years, the Church has contributed to expanding electricity and water access in remote Navajo Nation areas, collaborating with tribal, state, and nonprofit entities.
Heart of America collaborates with local schools to identify homes with K–12 students lacking electricity and has installed solar systems in hundreds of Navajo Nation homes, prioritizing educational stability and student well-being.
“The opportunity to provide students and families with electricity is a game changer,” said Heart of America President and CEO Jill Heath. “We ensure students have what they need to succeed—being able to do homework at night, read, and connect with family. That’s just the beginning.”
After learning of the need, the Church partnered with Heart of America to fund solar installations for 100 more student-family homes. Heart of America has now assisted over 450 homes in the Navajo Nation. The Church’s support also includes portable lighting and educational materials for families.
“We were thrilled and immediately started planning,” Heath mentioned. “This grant and the Church’s generous support to provide electricity meant a great collaboration.”
The solar kits include rooftop panels, batteries, lighting, a charge controller, an inverter, and a refrigeration unit, providing reliable power for lighting, food storage, and essential devices, replacing temporary solutions like generators and battery lights.
“We hear stories of students improving in school because they can do homework after dark,” shared Lian Mah, who has worked on installation teams. “Students now keep medicine in the refrigerator rather than storing it at a neighbor’s. Families used to freeze water at neighbors’ to keep food cold, but now have fresh food at home, which is amazing.”
Eugene Gorman, a father in the Red Valley community, said his family relied on generators, spending significantly on fuel. The solar system will ease these costs and reduce financial stress.
“This solar will help us a lot,” Gorman noted. “We can now spend money on our kids rather than worry about electricity. We’ll have comfort now. I really appreciate this.”
Installation teams typically complete a solar setup in an hour, providing long-term access to electricity and opportunities.
“This is a force multiplier,” Heath stated. “It elevates opportunities in education, health, and allows multiple generations to thrive.”
For Begay, the impact was immediate.
“My kids can do homework at night,” she said. “We have lights, can charge laptops, phones, and tablets. I wake up with light rather than my phone. I’m very happy and grateful.”
Schools have reported improvements in attendance, engagement, and academic focus among students receiving electricity at home.
“The home should be the most stable and safe place,” Heath emphasized. “With basic needs covered, students can focus on learning.”
Once installed, Heath added, the solar project’s significance is evident.
“The solar kit switches on not just light, but opportunity,” she said.
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