They, like many others, have changed their lifestyle by using solar energy.

"This is a great encouragement to my children", Arif's mother Jasmin told this correspondent during a recent visit.

Use of solar energy and electricity battery is gaining popularity among rural people in Galachipa and Sadar upazilas in the district, thanks to the innovative efforts by two local NGOs. Neither the PDB (Power Development Board) nor the REB (Rural electrification Board) has supplied electricity in the remote villages there.

Their efforts have also created jobs for many village women, who work in small plants assembling solar energy and electric battery sets. The sets are also supplied to neighbouring districts, opening up a good business prospect also.

The Coastal Electrification and Women's Development Co-operative (CEWDC) and the Centre for Man Education in Science (CMES) have installed solar energy system in about 150 houses and battery system electricity in another 2000 since they took the initiative in 1999. More people in villages in Char Montary, Rangabali, and Char Biswas unions under Galachipa upazila now want these facilities.

The Energy Sector Managment Assistance Programe (ESMAP) the World Bank and other donors extended their helping hand in the work.

Prokaushali Sangsad Limited of Dhaka is giving technical support.

All the activities are managed and supervised by 35 women who have little education.

At Char Moutary, where the CEWDC office is situated, a small factory has been set up where solar and battery sets are assembled and recharged. The equipment is imported.

Mohiuddin, field manager of the project, said a solar unit costs Tk 16,000 to Tk 34000.

A solar unit can run six lights and a TV set. An 8-volt battery costs Tk 1,850 and a 12- volt costs Tk 3,280. A battery has five years' guarantee with monthly recharge facilities and back-up support by the providers.

"Our products are supplied to different areas of the country including Jhenedha, Satkhira, and Bhola", Mohiuddin said.

Ten meritorious but poor students are getting lighting facilities free of cost, he said.

Jakia, Bimola, Lima and Sahida, all members of CEWDC, said a worker earns Tk 1500 to 2000 per month from the project. They deposit a part of their income to the organisation's fund as savings. Solar energy user Kabita Amin of Char Montary village said she bought it at Tk 20,000. Her schoolgoing son Rajib and two minor daughters are very happy now as they can read under fluorescent lights and enjoy TV programmes, she said.

Majeda Begum of the same village bought a battery electricity set at Tk. 1580 to light her house. Neighbours also come to her house to view TV.

Moniruzzaman of CMES said they have supplied 10 solar sets in the Sadar upazila.