Our 3rd Solar Light Distribution
Stories From Shine On Rwanda’s Solar 2nd Solar Light Distribution
The Mucko Sector of the Gicumbi District in Northern Rwanda is a land of beautiful rolling hills dotted with agricultural plots, small homesteads, and remote villages. In November 2023, our on-the-ground partner in Rwanda, NPO-TER worked with local leaders to in 3 villages – Robero, Ngange, Cyamuhinda, to identify the individuals and households who could most benefit from our 3rd distribution of solar lights.
The distribution was completed in late November and we will be doing detailed assesments of the impact of the lights in the upcoming months.
Meanwhile, we have collected several stories of recipients from the 2nd distribution of solar lights which was completed this past summer:
Dusingizimana Alphonsine is 12 years old and lives with her mother and father, who has been very sick. Alphonsine’s mother has sold many of their meager possessions to pay for his treatment. Alphonsine says that the solar light helps her take care of her father at night when he wakes. She has also shared that the solar light makes it possible for her to study at night, allowing her to do better in school. She is determined to finish her studies and get a good job so she can help her family.
Uwamahoro Adeline shared that the solar light has been very helpful for her, especially at night when her baby wakes up. Adeline’s husband, Nsengimana Francois says that the solar light has made a big difference in their lives, especially for the baby. “The baby is now sleeping more soundly and is more alert during the day,” he said.
Igiraneza Cynthia is an 11 year old who has used the solar light to help her prepare for her national exams, which she passed with an excellent score. Due to financial constraints, Cynthia was unable to attend the boarding school offered by the Ministry of Education, and instead attends day school. She says that the solar light helped her study longer for the exam and achieve a result that she is very proud of. NPO-TER staff says that Cynthia has overcome adversity and is an inspiration to all students who are facing challenges in their own lives.
Nyirabashumba Donatilla is a grandmother of twins who lives in a rural village without electricity. She says that the solar light allows her to monitor the twins whenever she stays with them. And their elder brother uses the light to revise his studies at night. She also told NPO-TER that the light makes her nighttime trips to the outhouse safer. “I am so poor that I could never afford to buy one of these on my own,” she said. “I am so grateful to the people who have donated these lights.”
These are just a few of the stories of how a simple solar light can transform lives. In 2023 over 800 lights have been distributed through the “Shine On Rwanda” initiative, positively impacting over 4000 lives. And each one has a story to tell.