Illiterate women bring light to remote island
They make solar energy kits to light houses in Charmontaj
Akter Faruk Shahin, Barisal
Thirty-five illiterate women at a remote coastal island are doing an impossible job. They are making and assembling solar energy equipment to light houses at Charmontaj island where electricity supply is virtually impossible in near future. Charmontaj is about 70 kilometres' journey from Galachipa upazila headquarters in Patuakhali, crossing four rivers. So far, solar lighting systems made by them have been installed in five houses in the island, completely isolated from the mainland. These women are members of the Coastal Electricity and Women Development Association, aided by ESMAP (emergency sector management assistant program). They are making solar bulb and battery. With some imported components, they are assembling solar energy supply units. The battery gets power from charger run with diesel. One 12 volt battery can keep four bulbs on for eight hours by using ¼ litre diesel. The system is portable. The association was launched in 1999, its co-ordinator Mohiuddin Ahmed told this correspondent during a recent visit. It makes equipment to supply solar lighting systems to houses in Charmontaj island. So far, its 35 members have made 1250 solar bulbs which generate electricity from sunshine. The association has six sales centers in Charmontaj and Galachipa. It has supplied 200 solar lighting systems in the last two years. Two other NGOs-- Shrijani Bangladesh and Coast Trust-- supply necessary materials under contracts, Mohiuddin said. The Engineering Sangsad of Dhaka, World Bank and governments of Netherlands and Germany are providing technical assistance. The association's factory and office are now housed in a big building at Charmontaj, The building was built with assistance from ESMAP, its general secretary Shahida Gazi said. "They were impressed by our work", she said. Jhumu Khan, finance secretary of the association, said the association has a nine-member managing committee. The committee members are from among the 35. "All are workers of the association", she said. The members earn Tk 2000 to 3000 per month depending on their work. Abdul Matin, Chairman of Charmontaj Union Parishad said people of the remote coastal area never hope of getting electricity from any government agency. "But our dream is coming true". Rabeya Khatun, a member said, "We were so poor. Now we can dream of better life".
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