Parents report improved results as solar lanterns offer students more time to study

When solar lanterns were introduced to songambele maarifa centre and communities informed of their importance, many people have realized a lot of benefits and praised the initiative citing that, it will go further to improve their livelihoods since they will be able to save a lot of money they used to buy paraffin and use the same to attend to other family needs.

Mr. Ainea Mudachi, the village executive officer (VEO) songambele B village could not hide his joy as he narrated how the solar lanterns have triggered anxiety among community members and how it has enabled his children have more time to study, a fact he attributed to their improvement in school.

Mudachis sons during evening studies.
 Photo by Sadock

Mr. Mudachi said that, his four shildren, three in songambele primary and one in Milimani secondary school were able to improve on their school performance since they could comfortably study for longer hours and in bright clean light that was not straining their eyes and free from smoke as compared to the time they used kerosene lamps which produced a lot of smoke which posed health risks, and blurred light  that strained their eyes and needed a lot of fuel to run them.

“I have noticed a lot of improved exam performance for my children since I started using solar power in my family. My children can now learn at any time of night and for longer hours as the solar lantern I have can support two lighting systems for 8 hours. My daughter who is a form four candidate has been using the opportunity to prepare for her national exams later in the year… Thanks for the technology”.

“I have been able to save a lot of money that I used to fuel two kerosene lamps which consumed fuel worth Tsh 1200 daily. The solar lanterns need direct sun light only to recharge, a resource that is free of charge…” he added.

Similar sentiments were echored by Neema Pearson during a follow-up visit where she explained how she has been able to save lots money by using the solar lanterns. She has been able to use the money to meet her personal needs.

"I have been using solar lantern for the last three months and have realised alot of benefits including; savings from money I used to buy fuel, clean light energy free from smoke thus health benefits. thanks to ALIn and DONET for the technology." she said.



Neema during an interview on solar lantern usage.
 Photo by Sadock

According to the reports at the maarifa centre, many community members flow in to enquire on solar lantern usage and prices so they can buy them for use at their families. Interestingly, another category of enquirers need to know much about wind energy that is also used to power the maarifa centre and are willing to have it installed to their homesteads so they can supply power to their neighbours.