A Clean Solar Alternative to Kerosene Lamps, Nepal

(Note: Though the below write-up is not directly related with solar lamp, it is being posted here as well (in addition to our project page http://www.globalgiving.org/projects/safe-water-for-healthy-nepal/) as it is relevant with the present context of COVID-19).

The Covid-19 outbreak has left many people more alone than they’ve been in a long time, or ever. Some are responding by involving in cozy domesticity; steaming momos, reading books, sketching, writing and what not? Besides all the coziness, the satisfaction provided by social media is an extravaganza! And why not? Influence goes both ways - isolation drives social media use and vice versa. And I couldn't be any further! 

While doing some official works, I steal enough time to scroll the screen of my phone flooded with information related to preventing the pandemic spreading even more. Among all the information, hand washing and sanitation related things grab my attention with WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene) being one of my working sectors. Just to mention a few, famous national-international portals, FM radios, celebrities and their kids, tiktok dance challenge, they all are doing their part for teaching a proper hand washing technique. To level up, we can also go through the videos of animals washing their paws! 

I feel so connected with all of these that eventually I start looking back to my working sites – the villages very far away from Kathmandu - and the people over there. Those would be hard places to get rid of the coronavirus once it hits there. I wish I could work with them to assess their exposure more during this emergency. But somewhere in my heart, I feel that like always, they are doing their best in their individual level for personal hygiene as they have come a long way till date.

Being a part of numerous Children Camps, WASH Trainings/Orientations and Interaction Programs organized by ECCA from early days, the child club and women group members committed themselves wholeheartedly in their personal improvement since then. As a result, these days they themselves are a good practitioner of all seven steps of hand washing. It's so admirable to go back on how they helped others practice good handwashing habits in their school, home and community. I believe those big hoarding boards with WASH messages placed by ECCA in the communities are alarming the community people to wash their hands more frequently. I hope the chlorine solution (branded as WATASOL) made by the child clubs are working out as a good disinfectant in their home and community. 

While counting on every lockdown day, I look forward to seeing the students return back to normal school days soon and continuing dancing on hand washing song in their assembly! May the challenges posed by this time of fear and uncertainty in our lives and futures of our families, communities, countries, and the wider world go away soon.

ECCA is planning to provide solar lamps in ward 13, Rapti Municipality, Chitwan district (south central Nepal), where there is no public electricity supply. Geographically, this region lies in mid hills and houses are widely spread from each other. The villagers are presently using kerosene lamp, because of which daily life is difficult. ECCA plans to provide solar lamp to the villagers in a phase-wise manner, in coordination with the local women groups and schools. Orientation on renewable energy / solar energy will also be provided to the local people. Solar lamps have been procured and are presently being charged and tested.

ECCA is thankful for your support which has enabled us to help rural communities get access to environment friendly technologies and improve their living standard

Chepangs live in the hilly region of Rapti Municipality, Chitwan district (mid-south part of Nepal). This Chepang community is the underprivileged indigenous group. There is no electricity supply in their village, because of which they need to use kerosene lamp. ECCA provided solar lamp, which helped the villagers in their daily life.

One of the parents Mr. Ram Bahadur expressed that the solar lamp helped his child to study better, and also his kitchen is now clean because there is now no black sooth since kerosene lamp need not be used.

We are very thankful for your support. Your contribution will help us support more families.

Solar tuki lamp set (which consists of 2 lamp units with built-in batteries and 1 solar photo voltaic panel of 2.5 Watt) was distributed to villagers in Punma village of Jajarkot district in Mid-western region of Nepal. There is no electricity in this village, because of which life is difficult. Kerosene lamp was used for daily household chores, because of which indoor pollution also occurs due to smoke coming from kerosene lamp.

After distributing the solar tuki lamps, Mr. Rabindra Khatri, Program Officer in ECCA taught the villagers how to properly handle the lamp and how to do simple trouble shooting. Such orientation helps in increasing the life of the solar lamp and solar photo voltaic panel.

We thank you for your support.

Sita studies in a local school in Punma village, located in Jajarkot district in Mid-western region of Nepal. There is no electricity in this village and hence life is difficult. She had to use kerosene lamps in the evening to study and to do her homework. Using dim light of kerosene lamp daily has affected her eye sight and the smoke emitted by the kerosene lamp created indoor air pollution. Her mother also had to use kerosene lamp to cook food for their family and to wash utensils.

After getting solar lamp from ECCA, she (as well as her family) are very happy. Their daily life has improved. Her studies also improved.

Sita, one of the recipients of the solar tuki lamp, expressed happiness and thanked all for the support provided.

We thank you for your support.