Poor lighting options have drawbacks, including the possibility of fire outbreaks and insufficient lighting in households and the community as a whole. Birungi Eralesi, a 59-year-old refugee living in Rukinga Village, Kyaka II Refugee Settlement, was a victim. She spent her earlier evenings in darkness or under the dim and smoky light of a wax candle and small substandard battery torches in this part of Kyegegwa District in Western Uganda. This limited all her six children’s ability to study, increased household expenses on fuel, and exposed her family to health risks.
On March 8, 2018, Eralesi and her family fled the Democratic Republic of the Congo due to the war. The situation was so difficult that they could barely meet their basic needs, ranging from medical services, school fees, and food to energy. They had no business, no savings, and ate once a day.
“I usually spent UGX 1,500 per week because those small torches got defective easily within three-four days. However, occasionally, we would go days without buying them due to lack of money,” says Eralesi.
In July 2023, Eralesi was enrolled in the Sustainable Market Inclusive Livelihood pathways to Self-Reliance (SMILES) project. She has since participated in diverse sessions such as coaching, Village Saving and Loans Association (VSLA), business coaching, good agronomic practices, among others. She received a phone, a monthly cash stipend for food of UGX 13,000 (3 Euros) per household member for eight months, and a one-off business cash grant of UGX 825,000 (217 Euros).
She emphasises the importance of the monthly food stipend, which she utilised to purchase food and establish a petty business—selling groceries—in the local market. She also bought two hens for the home for UGX 10,000 (3 Euros) each and saved between UGX 2,000 and UGX 4,000 every week.
Furthermore, she invested UGX 1,020,000 (269 Euros) in a retail business in March 2024 using her business cash grant and petty business income. Currently, Eralesi saves UGX 12,000 (3 Euros) from a community savings group and the project's VSLA in addition to the retail business earnings.
At a VSLA meeting one day, Eralesi was informed about Bright Life Uganda, a private sector actor in the SMILES project, and their solar energy initiative, which aims to provide rural households with affordable, clean, and renewable energy. Since her previous solar lights were insufficient and unreliable, this spurred interest in Eralesi for sustainable energy use at her business.
The Bright Life Uganda team conducted community awareness and sensitisation in the village communities. “At one of their demonstrations, they taught us about their new solar energy programme—the benefits of the solar system; the solar kit that includes three bulbs, an MP3 player, and a radio; how to use the solar system; and how to make the payments in instalments.”
She used her VSLA savings to make an initial UGX 20,000 (5 Euros) payment on the solar system. From profits of her retail business, Eralesi sets aside an average of UGX 4,500 (1 Euro) every week in instalments to contribute to the total amount of UGX 314,000 (83 Euros) required.
Eralesi acknowledges the efficiency and sustainability of the Bright Life solar system compared to the substandard products she used before. Once installed, the lights provide security for her merchandise and also enable her children to do their homework in peace.
“Currently, the children study for longer hours and are improving in their academic performance. I am no longer worried about the cost of candles, the dangers of fire hazards, or even early closure of my business because of no light,” explains Eralesi.
The in-built radio keeps her updated on weather forecasts, market prices, and agricultural tips, helping her make informed decisions about her farming activities. The MP3 player, loaded with inspirational songs and educational content, uplifts her spirits with memories of her home of origin and provides entertainment after a long day in the field.
Eralesi plans to improve her shelter by replacing her tarpaulin roof with iron sheets. Additionally, she intends to continue paying the Bright Life Uganda solar system instalments until full payment. She further aims to install the same solar system at her household in order to receive the same benefits she does receive at her business.
About the SMILES project
The Sustainable Market Inclusive Livelihood Pathways to Self-Reliance (SMILES) project is a five-year (November, 2022 – October, 2027) initiative funded by the IKEA Foundation. The project works with 14,000 households (extremely poor refugee and host community) comprising 70,000 individuals in Kyaka II and Kyangwali Refugee Settlements in Western Uganda with the aim of supporting them to become resilient.
The project delivers a graduation model integrated with a Market System Development approach targeting women and youth and their household members. Key sectors include livelihoods, agriculture, food security, protection, energy and environment. The project is implemented by AVSI Foundation in partnership with UNHCR and the Office of the Prime Minister and in a consortium with Innovations for Poverty Action, Renewable Energy, Powering Agriculture and Rural Livelihoods Enhancement (REPARLE), Makerere University Kampala, and DAI Global LLC.
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