Solar Lamp Stories from Timor-Leste

The ACCESS Project is implemented by UNDP in Indonesia and Timor-Leste with financial support from the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), under a partnership with the Indonesia Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources and the Timor-Leste Ministry of State Administration.

In Bobonaro municipality, located in the west part of Timor-Leste, the ACCESS Project installed high-efficiency solar lights in 207 households. More than 518  men, 523 women, and 305 students in the 6 selected aldeias in Bobonaro will benefit from the initiative of the ACCESS Project.

Ms. Joaquina Moniz dos Reis, a resident of Aldeia Tepa, utilizes solar lamps at home.  Before, she had to do all household chores such as cleaning and cooking, before it gets dark. Now, she can work in the evening with solar lamps. They enable her to manage time flexibly and extend her family business.

"Solar lamps facilitate my daily activities. With the solar lamps, I can prepare food at night for my business to sell next day. The solar lights also make us feel safe and secure during the night."

Ms. Constantina Lourença is from Aldeia Faturui. She's been weaving palm leaves into basketry and mats for many years. She sells the products to support her family. Solar lamps increased her productivity, as they enable her to work during the evening.

"It was very difficult for us when our kids get sick because it took time to prepare the kerosene lamps or candles to go to the health center which is far from our village. But now, we can use solar lamps that are easy to carry and give light to our family the whole night. We feel safe and secure", said Alberto Maulelo Sebastião, from Faturui.

Author: Feliciana Maria Correia