In Maharashtra, India, 55 migrant families have received solar home lighting systems through a new community project. The initiative, known as the Solar Home Lighting project, was carried out by Bosco Gramin Vikas Kendra with support and donor funding from Salesian Missions in the United States. The goal was to help families who were living without safe and reliable electricity.
Before the project, many families were depending on unsafe and illegal electrical connections or kerosene lamps. These methods were dangerous, costly, and often failed to provide enough light for daily needs. Most of the families lived in temporary shelters in a semi-rural area along Arangaon Road, where infrastructure is limited.
With the new solar lights, households now have steady lighting at night. This has made a big difference in their daily lives. Children are able to study after sunset, and families can continue small income activities to earn a bit more. Women also report that household chores are easier and safer to manage.
Why is solar lighting important for migrant families?
These families often live in temporary housing with no legal access.
Solar lighting provides them with safe, affordable, and clean light, helping improve education, income, and household safety.
A Salesian worker involved in the project explained that the solar lights have helped families save money previously spent on fuel and unsafe power tapping. The improved lighting also means fewer risks from fire or accidents, especially at night. For many migrants, this change has brought peace of mind and a better quality of life.
One of the beneficiaries, Raju Dhumal, lives along Arangaon Road with his four children. He sells roasted chickpeas and puffed rice in nearby villages. Before the solar installation, he had to stop working after dark, which reduced his earnings. His children also struggled to study, and the family constantly feared snakes and other dangers in the dark.
After receiving solar lights, Dhumal says life changed immediately. His family can work and study safely into the evening, and their home feels more secure. With this improvement, he hopes to expand his small business and ensure his children get a good education.
“With solar lights, we feel secure, our children can study, and we can grow our business,” he said. For many families like his, the simple gift of light has opened the door to a brighter and more hopeful future.