Lighting Up Lives
The Sundarbans region in West Bengal, India, is one of the most remote parts of the country, comprising mainly of islands and forests. A diverse, complex ecosystem rules the region, and natural disasters such as cyclones and floods are inevitable due to biodegradation and global warming. The families of the Sundarbans are some of the most marginalised in the world, living well below the poverty line. Of an evening, the region is plunged into darkness as delivery of electricity to the area is acutely unstable due to its remote and volatile location. Damage and destruction caused by recent cyclones have left hundreds of families without any light source, severely disrupting day to day life, education, and livelihoods.
Rising water levels resulting from global warming and the recent cyclones have forced families to migrate to higher ground to survive, with only tents to house them. Families either have no light or use toxic kerosene lanterns, which cause chronic disease and respiratory infections. Lives are further at risk due to the increased chance of domestic fire. Children either stop studying at dusk or compromise their health by inhaling the fumes of kerosene.
Mary Ward International Australia (MWIA) and the Kolkata Mary Ward Social Centre (KMWSC) have been working to deliver solar lanterns to remote Sundarbans villages and cyclone-affected families living in tents without electricity. The lanterns enable children to safely study at home, provide light to weave fishing nets and cook meals, and their portability allows men to fish in nearby waters. They further protect villagers at night when tigers and poisonous snakes are most prevalent. However, hundreds of families remain in the dark.
“I was at home sitting in the low-level bed. Suddenly the water started roaring into the rivers. My goodness, so much water came into our house. I did not know what to do. I ran around deciding what to take with me and what not to. I was confused at that moment. The water level increased and increased. When the water level was going above my waist, I ran with my son, two goats and four cows to a higher place. We have had sleepless nights after the cyclone. Water has destroyed everything in our edible stocks, cattle have run away, and chickens have been taken by the water… One million thanks for the solar light; it has a value in these dark days of my life. We were in complete darkness at night. Many thanks to KMWSC for providing a solar light which is a great help at this hour of crisis.”
– Purwali Mondal, Village – Manmathnagar, Gosaba, Sundarban –
Purwali’s story is one of many MWIA and the KMWSC hear often. Unfortunately, the Sundarbans will continue to be affected by its volatile environment, making solar power even more critical to local communities. Solar energy is the best solution for light in the region. It is clean, environmentally friendly, and long-lasting. In the past year, the KMWSC has delivered solar lanterns to 80 cyclone-affected families in the Sundarbans, providing an independent and reliable light source. These families were living in the dark and only had toxic kerosene lamps and candles for light as they shifted to open and higher places for safety and survival.
Many more families are still in desperate need of solar light. COVID-19 has delayed training and the purchase of raw materials required for production. Together with the KMWSC and their valued supporters, MWIA strives to overcome these challenges in 2022 and light up the homes and lives of struggling Sundarbans families living on the margins.
One solar lantern can bring an entire family out of darkness. Show your support and #lightupalife by making a donation today.
Author: Anna Turkington, Manager, Communications & Marketing, Loreto Ministries