By Francis Mbewe | Project Leader
The sun had barely risen over the rural village of Chipangali District, but already the Mwansa family was stirring. For years, their evenings had been dictated by the flickering light of kerosene lanterns, which cast eerie shadows on the walls of their small mud hut. But all that changed when they received a solar home system from Kukula Solar, a local organization dedicated to bringing clean energy to rural communities.
"We used to spend a lot of money on kerosene," says Elizabeth , the matriarch of the family. "And the light was never very bright. It was hard to read or do anything in the evenings."
That all changed when Elizabeth's husband, John, brought home the solar home system, which was distributed by Kukula Solar as part of their efforts to provide affordable and sustainable energy solutions to rural families. The system, which includes a small solar panel, a battery, and a few energy-efficient lights, was installed with the help of a local technician trained by Kukula Solar.
At first, the family was skeptical. "We didn't know what to expect," Elizabeth admits. "But from the first day, the lights were brighter and cleaner than our kerosene lanterns. Our children can now read and study in the evenings, and we can even watch TV!"
The impact has been profound. The family's children, who previously had to stop studying at sunset, can now learn and play into the evening hours. Elizabeth can read her Bible and even start small projects like knitting or sewing after dinner. John can watch the news and stay informed about current events.
But the benefits don't stop there. The family no longer has to worry about the health risks associated with kerosene lamps, which can cause respiratory problems and fires. And with the money they save on kerosene, they're able to invest in other areas of their lives, like food and education.
"We're grateful to Kukula Solar for bringing us this solar home system," Elizabeth says with a smile. "It's changed our lives for the better. We're proud to be part of this community and to be living more sustainably."
As the sun sets over the village, the Mwansa family's home glows with a warm, soft light. It's a beacon of hope in a community that's been transformed by the power of solar energy, thanks to the efforts of Kukula Solar.
By Francis Mbewe | Project Leader
By Francis Mbewe | Project Leader
Project reports on GlobalGiving are posted directly to globalgiving.org by Project Leaders as they are completed, generally every 3-4 months. To protect the integrity of these documents, GlobalGiving does not alter them; therefore you may find some language or formatting issues.
If you donate to this project or have donated to this project, you can receive an email when this project posts a report. You can also subscribe for reports without donating.
Support this important cause by creating a personalized fundraising page.
Start a Fundraiser
