Bright Futures with Solar Lamps

Colette, a 10-year-old student in grade 5 at Ankarinomby Primary School, lives with her grandparents and younger sister. Her grandparents earn a modest living from farming rice, cassava, and vegetables.

In her community most households have no reliable access to electricity. Before gaining access to solar lighting, the family depended on a kerosene lamp. Every week, they spent around 500 Ariary (.83 £) on petrol for a dim and smoky light that filled their home with fumes and caused frequent headaches.
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The lamp was not bright enough for Colette and her sister to study in the evenings, and even basic family tasks such as preparing dinner or caring for a newborn were difficult under such conditions.
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The Light Library Solution

The situation changed when Colette’s school introduced the Light Library system in 2024. Through this program, families are able to rent solar lamps and power banks that are charged daily at school. Each morning, Colette brings her family’s power bank to the franchisee and collects it again after class. At home, the solar lamp now provides enough light for two rooms, allowing Colette and her sister to study every evening in safe, clean light.
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The impact has been felt across the household. Family dinners are no longer disrupted by the smell and smoke of petrol. When her sister-in-law gave birth, the lamp provided steady light throughout the night, offering comfort and safety. The power bank has also enabled the family to keep their mobile phone charged, maintaining an important line of communication.
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To cover the costs, her grandparents save up to 5,000 Ariary, a decision they view as an investment in Colette’s education and future.

For Colette, the solar lamp represents more than improved lighting—it is a tool that helps her stay focused on her studies and pursue her dream of becoming a gendarme. For her grandparents, it is a way to invest in their granddaughter’s future, ensuring she has opportunities they did not.