Light in the Darkness

Solar powered lights for cyclone-prone villages.

Environmental Impacts: Home to the Bengal tiger, crocodiles, and cobras, the delta area south of Kolkata is rich in natural beauty and animal life. It is also home to numerous rural communities who largely depend on coal power for electricity. Locals will collaborate with GHNI to purchase solar power rechargeable lanterns and lights, reducing dependency on unsustainable fuel sources and meeting the needs of the community.

Social Impacts: The coast of eastern India is often struck by cyclones leaving countless communities without power for at least 2 to 3 weeks. In addition, when the sun goes down, local streets are blanketed in darkness as the street poles have never had lights installed on them. Seventeen units are what the community estimates will be needed. GHNI will subsidize part of the cost of 2,500 Rupees or ($30 USD) per unit helping put sustainable and reliable lighting to homes and streets within reach.

2 CFL bulbs, 1 built-in LED light, and mobile charging unit

Statistics:

Thanks to your generous donations, 28 solar lights were given out according to the 50/50 principle in Binodpur Community in 2024.

• Original goal: 17 solar lights

Achievements:

Kids in the community can now study and complete their homework at home and walk safely to their friends homes. Their parents can also charge a cell-phone using the battery and together, they can use the lighting to enjoy extended family time.

• Increase in safety, productivity, and local communication
• Affordable solar lighting provided

Solar Lighting – What’s it all about?

In India, 304 million people still have no access to electricity while others who do have electricity still suffer from frequent power outages. Providing mobile solar energy units helps fill in the gap for particularly vulnerable communities, ensuring they have a better quality of life. Solar lighting works with nature by using the sun as the power resource, providing affordable electricity and lighting while also limiting carbon dioxide emissions.

Community·Goals:

• 2025 – Ensure access to safe and sustainable lighting for 30 new families
  • Enhance children’s education by providing adequate lighting for studying
  • Improve safety and mobility during the evening, reducing the risk from wildlife attacks
  • Support basic communication by enabling mobile charging
  • Reduce dependency on grid electricity, especially during post-cyclone periods

A word from the project leader, Bharat Karmakar:

Binodpur is a remote village adjacent to the Sundarban National Park, an area renowned for its dense mangrove forests and the presence of the majestic Royal Bengal Tigers. While rich in biodiversity, the region is also highly vulnerable to natural
calamities, especially cyclones, earning it the reputation of being the “Cyclone Capital” of India.

Due to frequent cyclones, the local electricity infrastructure suffers extensive damage, often taking weeks or even months to restore. In the aftermath, villagers struggle with basic needs like mobile charging, lighting for households, and safety in the evening. Wildlife threats from crocodiles in the river and tigers or venomous snakes like cobras on land further intensify the risks of moving around after dark. Last year, with the generous support of Global Hope Network International (GHNI), our Transformational Community Development (TCD) group facilitated the purchase of 28 portable solar lighting systems. This year, we will continue our project and hope to secure 30 more solar lights for 30 additional households.

This project is a critical step towards improving the quality of life for the people of Binodpur. By extending the success of last year’s initiative, we hope to create a brighter, safer, and more sustainable environment for the community. We humbly seek continued
support from GHNI and other generous donors to make this vision a reality for 30 more families.

Donate to Support This Project

• $30 for 1 solar light
• $300 for 10 solar lights