Watts of Love and CorpsAfrica/Kenya launched a pilot program for 100 solar lights for Cohort 1 in April 2023 with an additional 200 lights provided for Cohort 2 in November 2023. The main objective of the partnership is to work on a community empowerment program through the adaptation of the Watts of Love whose model is access to solar light which eliminates the costly fuel sources and offers immediate savings. It also provides a means by which the community can continue daily activities after dark, directly impacting household income, safety, and overall health.
The CorpsAfrica Volunteer acts as the facilitator between Watts of Love and the community through training the beneficiaries on the use of solar light, saving from the use of solar light, identifying opportunities for economic empowerment, monitoring and evaluating the program for the period they are at their site and reporting on the same every month.
The Volunteers conducted household visits for needs assessment for potential beneficiaries between November and December 2023 and identified 200 households in different counties including Meru, Tharaka Nithi, Laikipia, Embu and Kitui counties. They also used village administrators, local chiefs, and local leaders to identify beneficiaries for transparency and accountability and distributed the solar lights.
The identified beneficiaries mostly use kerosene lamps, candles, torches or mobile phone lights, and firewood as light sources, spending around 40- 100 KES daily. The average number of people per household is 6, with the majority being the elderly, people with disabilities, women-led households (inclusive of windows), and needy households with low income.
The impact of solar lights includes Improved livelihood from savings and extended working hours, Improved education performance for the children, Improved health from the use of a clean source of light., Improved security and safety. Conservation of the environment. women empowerment, especially grandparents caring for grandchildren, single mothers, and women-led homesteads.
Here are a few Comments from the beneficiaries:
“It is light in weight and I really loved the accessories that came with it and the fact that they have different ways of placing the light using the strap.” Veronica Ikolomi, Mumui Location.
“I must buy myself a chicken because the information on saving was a blessing to me.” Lenkanie Enjipa; Ildigri Location, Laikipia County.
“This solar light is useful and beneficial to me, I really appreciate it.” William Kiria; Kereria Location.
“I was using firewood to light up the house. As a mother of 3 children, it was a challenging situation because we had to light up the house for my firstborn boy to find ways to revise his studies and do some school homework. As a mother of a young child, I felt happy when I was given the solar light from watts of love. I remember when my boy knew that Gasore visited me to tell me that my light was now available, unfortunately, I wasn’t home. From that day on, I couldn’t rest, I had to go get the solar light because even my son knew how useful it would be during his studies. I appreciate you for the watts of love lights you provided, and we promise to get the best out of it as we were trained” Florence Makena; Thau community member.
“I am no longer about to purchase paraffin.” Sammy Ngovi; Kitui County.
“I don’t have fears at night when I have to check my sheep when dogs bark.” Mwende Mbuya; Kitui County.
“Am free from the purchase of paraffin and batteries in my house and my children will be able to learn well.” Larite Latoya; Laikipia County.
“I believe I am safe from wild animals when I have the light with me and at least I will not buy batteries again.” Stephine Kaparo; Laikipia County.
“God bless Watts of love on my behalf. I am so happy and emotional at the same time.” Jackline Ntayia; Laikipia County.