“I use the light to learn to read. I like it because it’s really bright.” This is what little Alicia Nirina Raharimalala says about Light Libraries.

Alicia Nirina Raharimalala wants to be a doctor when she grows up. For now, she loves her Light Library light stick because it helps her learn to read, lights her while she helps to wash up the dishes and comforts her when she sleeps. ‘Before we had to blow the candles out before going to sleep.”

Fitiavana Tafitasoa Rasoarimalala likes maths and wants to be a teacher. In her house, it’s her job to take the power bank to the charging station every day. “I drop it there at 7 am and pick it up at 4 pm,” she explains. Fitiavana knows how to turn off the power bank and make it brighter or dimmer. “I like using the lamp. It’s very bright and very inexpensive. I can use it to study at home and go over my class notes. I usually do my homework before dinner and that’s when I need the light. We also use it to charge phones, to listen to news on the radio and for our lamp.”

In Madagascar, community-led impact investments like Solar United Madagascar can fund grass-roots infrastructure to support Light Libraries in rural areas across the country to help children like Alicia and Fitiviavana – and many more like them – achieve their dreams.

A Light Library is simply a stock of lights and power packs that can be rented for a small fee and are recharged by a central solar panel system. They are located in schools to primarily benefit pupils, allowing them to study safely at home after dark, but of course, the rest of the family can also benefit. The teachers manage the libraries and earn a small income from part of the rental fees. This is meaningful to them as they are often underpaid or not paid at all, and they ensure the good care and sustainability of the library.  The remaining part of the fees goes towards servicing and replacement.

So far we have established light libraries in 46 schools reaching 9,649 pupils and their families. This year we hope to reach a further 60 schools and over 9000 more pupils and soon, funds depending, all 542 schools that we currently work with.

A Light Library is simply a stock of lights and power packs that can be rented for a small fee and are recharged by a central solar panel system. They are located in schools to primarily benefit pupils, allowing them to study safely at home after dark, but of course, the rest of the family can also benefit. The teachers manage the libraries and earn a small income from part of the rental fees. This is meaningful to them as they are often underpaid or not paid at all, and they ensure the good care and sustainability of the library.  The remaining part of the fees goes towards servicing and replacement.

So far we have established light libraries in 46 schools reaching 9,649 pupils and their families. This year we hope to reach a further 60 schools and over 9000 more pupils and soon, funds depending, all 542 schools that we currently work with.

We are setting up “Light Libraries” to light up homes and schools. And for the next week, through our exciting partnership with Big Give, your donations to this life-changing programme are being doubled.