A child studies under a solar lantern. [Photo/Courtesy]
Families in Wajir County have benefitted from free solar lanterns that have been distributed by a private organization.Centres for Health and Education Programmes (CHEPs) distributed more than 2,000 solar lanterns to poor families in the county, majority of whom depend on kerosene lamps for lighting.
CHEPs operations officer Aisha Omar said the programme was started after it emerged about 65 per cent, or 450,000 homes, in the county had no access to electricity.
Ms Omar said most of the families especially in remote areas are faced with great poverty and due to scarcity of Kerosene, school children often miss the opportunity to study at night leading to poor performance in school.
Speaking to the press in Wajir town, Ms Omar said the programme, themed One Child One Solar Lamp, mainly targets children from poor families.
“The majority of the residents with no access to electricity rely on kerosene lamps, candles and battery powered torches, which are dangerous and pollute the environment.”
“The types of fuel used for lighting are generally of poor quality and expensive, and many households cannot afford them. Kerosene lamps also limits the hours of study because fuel consumption is high, and they give out dim light and smoke,” she said.
Jogbaru Primary School head teacher Ibrahim Ali who was also present said harmful fuel or lack of it hampers after-school studies adding that the fuel emissions hurt eyes and when inhaled are harmful to the lungs.
“The provision of solar lamps has had a positive impact on learning since students can study more at night and complete their homework on time. Unlike kerosene, solar light is free.”
“Jogbaru Primary School is living proof of the miracles a small solar lamp can do. Our KCPE candidates last year performed satisfactorily in the national examinations by registering a 203 mean score compared to 121 the previous year,” Mr Ali said.