“You can’t bottle the sun.”

One of the greatest things about solar power is that it is available wherever there is sun. No one can own the sun, no one can keep the sun from shining on your town, if you have sun you can use solar power. This makes a huge difference to people in places that have no electricity grid. We have talked before about how useful solar power can be for developing nations, but it can also be very useful for places that have been hit by disaster.

Thousands of families have benefited from the installation 1,234 solar light systems across Sri Lanka.

The project is a joint effort between World Vision and Light Up The World Foundation (LUTW). Families living in remote areas, fishermen, and people displaced by the tsunami and civil war have all benefited.

“The LUTW and World Vision partnership is one of our most innovative responses to the tsunami. Working with LUTW, we have been able to provide a clear, friendly light source, as well as creating a safer environment for women and children,” said Perry Mansfield, World Vision Lanka Tsunami Response Programme Director.

Project beneficiary Sarammashe, who currently lives in transitional housing in Thampaddai village, said, “Ever since the tsunami we had no electricity and we had to struggle to find money to buy kerosene oil, which is very expensive. But now we have this new light. It is free of charge and does not give out heat.”

Nirmaladevi, a mother of three children, said, “My children are now able to study at night. I feel much safer that we no longer use the kerosene oil and that we have this light that can warn us if there are snakes at night.” (via)

In a place that has been ravaged by both natural and human caused disaster, solar lighting adds a real improvement to the quality of life for these citizens. The simple act of having light at night can revolutionize a society. It allows night activites, security, savings on fuel oil, and prevents harmful indoor polution that cause many deaths each year in the developing world.