Case Study I: Gita Devi, Village – Ranapur, Block – Ramnagar

One of the learners at Gita Devi’s tailoring school

Gita Devi comes from a lower middle-class family. She runs a tailoring and embroidery school for her living. She has three school going children. Gita is also the treasurer of the Self Help Group in her village. In August 2004, she decided to buy a solar lantern by taking loan from her SHG. According to her, since she started using the solar lantern in her house, the consumption of kerosene came down substantially (one liter in 5 months compared to around 5 liters per month earlier), with a corresponding improvement in the indoor air quality and saving of children from inhaling kerosene fumes.

Children using the solar lantern to study at Gita Devi’s house

Apart from her own children, she has three more children in the family. All the children now study in the clean/soothing light of solar lantern and ever since, they have hardly ever failed to complete their homework. Since the time she purchased the solar lantern, Gita has been able to increase her income as well. No longer does she have to bring her tailoring and embroidery sessions to a close in the evenings due to lack of adequate illumination and is now able to run classes right into the night. The village women are also happy to take lessons in the night after they are through with their daily household chores, grooming themselves for a profitable vocation.

Case Study II: Ashima Begum, Village – Sureri, Block – Rampur

Solar lantern used for carpet weaving by Ashima Begum’s son

Ashima Begum is a member of Self Help Group in village Sureri. She purchased a solar lantern on August 2004 for her household use. However, since all the members of her family are engaged in carpet weaving, it occurred to them that the lantern could serve a more productive function – they now weave their carpets with their work area brightly illuminated by the solar lantern.

As a result, they are able to put in additional work hours and have realized that their productivity has increased. Even earlier, they did work for additional hours during times when they had to chase deadlines. However, they had no option but to rely on dimly lit kerosene lamps, which caused immense strain to their eyes. Thankfully, this is no longer a serious issue! Their children also find it convenient to study in the light of the solar lantern.

Solar lantern used for cooking in Ashima Begum’s house

So impressed is the family with the benefits of the solar lantern that they have voluntarily taken upon themselves to educate others of its utility, and as a matter of fact have actually helped WII in disseminating four more lanterns in their village.