through the lens

“I can't use the on-grid system in my room because there is risk of electrocution. But I realised that off-grid system is safe and there is no risk of fire.”

Since adopting the system, Emmanuel can easily light his house, watch TV whether it's raining or not. His children are able to study and they like the brightness of the light and the fact that it is always stable as opposed to the grid which could sometimes go off for hours at a time.

“I always keep the lights on and we don’t get switched off. Even when we want to work until 11pm we can do it without any problem.”

Deo’s business, which he runs from home, has grown since he purchased the system as he can now work longer hours. His wife is also able to cook, wash dishes and help children with their activities in the evening.

“We always have church meetings around 4:30 in the morning. Because of the system, I am now able to prepare some readings before we meet.”

Before purchasing the system, Faustin had to rely on kerosene for light. It was expensive and dangerous. He is pleased he can now light all the rooms in the house and that children can safely play around. There is no grid in the village so he sought alternatives to get access to electricity.

“Before, we used to spend a lot on batteries as compared to what we spend on energy now. I no longer live in darkness.”

Felix’s wife is able to do chores around the house, including cooking, at any time thanks to lights. His family have also been able to make savings which helped them to buy a cow. Now they use it for income generation by selling milk or even fertilizers to their neighbours.

“I can do all my activities because there is light. Especially now that I have given birth, it is much easier to nurse my baby in a bright place.”

Chantal gave birth only a few weeks ago and finds it much easier to take care of the baby now than when she had her first child and there were no lights in the house. Her older daughter, who is 3, likes to watch TV and play around the house, even in the evening.

“It’s not the same. Before, I would use candles and the wind would put them off and we would stay in the dark. But with the system, the place looks good and bright, and the number of clients increases.”

Jean Baptiste uses the system at his bar and his customers enjoy the place better now that it’s always bright. He also spends less on energy now than before as he no longer needs to purchase candles which he used to buy a lot of to light up his business.

“I can now see some changes. For example, now we have rabbits although they are not many as we only have two, but before we did not have any.”

Sylvan’s family have been able to save money since adopting the system. Before, Sylvan would sometimes miss out on job offers because he would not be able to charge his phone and people could not reach him. His family wanted to get rid of darkness, have access to mobile phone charging and be able to listen to the news which motivated them to purchase the system.

“I can now see changes. For example, last night when I got home the power of on-grid was off but I didn’t even realise because the solar system was on. Outside it used to be very dark but now we have put the system lights up- no more darkness.”

Asma and her family have access to the grid but because of its unreliability they would still have to purchase batteries for torches to use them whenever the grid power was off. They were very expensive and she is now relieved she no longer has to spend money on them.

“Before, I would cook holding one child on my back and the other one in my arm so that they would not step onto an animal because in this region we have snakes which can bite our children because they cannot see them.”

Improved safety of her children and the ability to work and cook after sunset is what Jeanne values the most. The mode of payment was one of the key factors that motivated her to purchase the system.

“Just the fact that my place is now bright is enough for me.”

Chantal (Musanze, Northern Province)

Enabling chores after dark, studying, reading, cooking and washing dishes, income generating activities later into the evening, and much more- lights are the most basic yet the most transformative of appliances, mentioned by every household. They were photographed the most, with users holding a lot of pride in the brightness of both the inside and the outside of their houses.

“There has really been a very big difference. I don’t have to spend money to charge my phone. The kids are also able to study in a bright place. Something has truly changed.”

Jean de Dieu feels he has saved up since purchasing the system. His wife is able to do her activities in the evening which makes her working hours more flexible.

“The energy that I used to use before [kerosene and a pico-solar lamp] could only light one place but with the system at least four rooms are bright. In addition, one of my children is always the first in class because she is now able to revise in the evening.”

Silas has noticed the change the system has brought about. His wife is able to do any activity she wants in the evening without any problem and he is proud to see his children improving their performance at school.

“I am now able to charge my phones without having to travel a long distance. Children are able to study and I can also do evening activities.”

Aline had no option of connecting to the grid as it hasn’t reached her village yet. She wanted to have light in her house and decided to purchase the system. She would like to get a solar torch and a TV as her next appliances.

“My wife is also able to cook and help kids to take a shower in the evening. Before, it used to be very difficult because the kerosene lamp light could not reach all the places in the house. But with the system she can do all her activities from wherever she wants. Sha can also wash dishes in the evening, all because of the brightness of the lights.”

Charles (Musanze, Northern Province)

“We are able to do some extra work after dark which brings us more income. My children can also study in the evening now whereas before they would wander off to other places where they could find light.”

Theogene was unable to afford the grid connection so he decided to purchase a solar home system instead. Already after one year he has noticed considerable improvements in his life. He recommends the system to his friends and neighbours but not all of them are able to afford it.