How their lives got lighted up

One of the learners at Gita Devi's tailoring school

Gita Devi from Village Ranapur in Ramnagar Block
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 children from inhaling kerosene fumes.

Cildrens 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 the solar lantern which they acquired. Ever since, they have always completed their homework in time. Gita too has been able to increase her income. No longer does she have to bring her tailoring and embroidery sessions to a close in the evenings due to lack of adequate illumination. Rather, she is now able to run classes right into the night. The village women are also happy to take lessons at night after they are through with their daily household chores, thus grooming themselves for a profitable vocation.

Ashima Begum from Village Sureri in Rampur Block

solar lantern used for carpet weaving by Ashima Begum's son

Ashima Begum is a member of the local 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.

Solar lantern used for cooking in Ashima Begum's house

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.

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.