A Day in Delson’s Light Library

Ialy Delson is a 32-year-old Light Library franchisee in the village of Emagnevy, on the southeastern coast of Madagascar. He lives with his wife and young son, and comes from a large, close-knit family. Delson joined the Light Library network two years ago, inspired by a deep love for his village and a desire to support its development. “It’s the love for my community that pushed me to become a franchisee,” he says. What he enjoys most is the opportunity to connect with others—including with partners at Jiro-Ve and SEED.

Each day begins early at Delson’s kiosk. Students often arrive first, dropping off their power banks to charge before heading to school. Delson carefully tracks each rental and payment using both his register and the Light Library app which allows me to upload data to a central system. As the morning progresses, he charges the first round of power banks, tidies the kiosk, and prepares for deliveries to nearby villages. These trips allow families farther afield to benefit from clean, reliable lighting, even if they can’t reach the kiosk themselves.

Through his work, Delson helps families access clean, safe, and affordable solar lighting. He explains to customers that solar lamps are safer than kerosene, better for their health, and more cost-effective than batteries or fuel. “There’s no smoke, no fire risk, and it costs less,” he tells them.
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At home, Delson uses the solar light for his evening lighting. Before switching to solar, he relied on kerosene lamps, which cost around 2,000 Ariary per week. He remembers how his son, even in preschool, would get frustrated trying to write or draw under dim, smoky light. Now, with Jiro-Ve, his son studies more comfortably and enjoys learning at night. He dreams of becoming a teacher.

Delson has also seen changes in his community. Families now spend less on lighting during events, and many are able to continue activities after dark. He believes solar lighting has opened new possibilities for education, productivity, and well-being.

Looking ahead, Delson is hopeful. He sees great potential for growth and impact as more families embrace solar energy. His story reflects the dedication of local franchisees and the power of clean lighting to strengthen communities and improve everyday life.