By Bob Aston
Matwiku Horticulture Growers Self
Help Group has benefited from a donation of 15 solar powered lighting systems from Tree Is Life Trust (TILT), which delivered
the systems on June 19, 2014. The group which is based in Matwiku area of Ng’arua
Division, Laikipia County is now set to stop buying kerosene for lighting.
Members being shown how the solar lighting system works |
Peter Gicheru, Secretary, Matwiku
Horticulture Growers Self Help Group could not contain his joy during the
handover ceremony. He said that buying kerosene for lighting has been expensive
but this will now be a thing of the past.
“This place does not have electricity
so we had no choice but to buy kerosene. The solar powered lighting system will
help reduce dependence on kerosene and this will enable the members to save
money that they would initially have used to buy kerosene,” said Mr. Gicheru.
Mr. Gicheru said that when they were
informed by Tree Is Life Trust that they will be given 15 solar powered lighting systems
they decided to contribute to buy seven (7) more as they are 21 members.
Each of the system costs Ksh 4,000.
Each member had to contribute Ksh 1,150 to purchase the remaining seven.
“Kerosene lamps produce a lot of
smoke and normally cause health problems. Our children have been complaining
about them when reading using them at night, “said Mr. Gicheru.
He said that the system is easy to
install and has a phone charger thus his frequent visits to Matwiku centre to
charge his phone will now be a thing of the past.
Handover ceremony of the solar powered lighting lamps |
Mr. George Kamau from Tree Is Life Trust
said that the project has been made possible through funding from Act! Change! Transform!
(ACT). He said they are identifying groups that they can work with in renewable
energy.
He said that they decided to donate
15 SunEngine Solar System to the group in order to see the long term benefit of
the lighting system. He added that they will be doing an evaluation to see the
number of people who are now interested in the lighting system.
“The solar powered lighting system
has a long lasting non replaceable light source. It also has a deep discharge
protection circuit to increase battery light,” said Mr. Kamau.
A vibrant solar energy market has
developed in the country over the years for lighting homes. Currently Kenya is leading
in number of solar powered systems installed per capita.
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