Story 1
Introduction
Manano Paulino, aged 73, hails from Ageno village, Mbaro West Parish, Nyaravur Sub county in Nebbi District. He is a retired Civil Servant, and a father to 8 children. Mr. Manano, for a long time had been using the local lighting system commonly referred to by the community as “ Kaduma”.
He learnt about the new product (Home Solar System) from Nebbi District NGO Forum technician (Jimmy), who deals in electronic products in the trading center of Nyaravur.
Situation before intervention
During one of the interactions, Manano confessed that he had been using “Kaduma” and sometimes batteries from his motorcycle for lighting. He admitted the challenges he had faced with the old system that included among others, cost of paraffin which was not friendly as he put it. “Due to ignorance, I was spending 1,200/= (One thousand two hundred uganda shillings only) on a useless thing per week. The smoke from “kaduma” was leaving my clothes very dirty and smelling each time. When I would leave the “Kaduma” throughout the night sometimes, in the morning I would realize that my nostrils were very dirty!”. He further stressed that Lights that came from” Kaduma” was not enough to light up the room very well.
Situation After
Manano narrated that he acquired the new technology in July 2018, and there is a number of good things he has achieved/observed; “unlike those days where I was spending 2500/= (Two thousand Uganda shillings only) per week on phone charging, I now charge my phone at home for free. “I got relief of looking for the money all the time”. The light is very bright as compared to the batteries of my motorcycle I was using. I have security light in my compound, my grandchildren now read at home with me, I can easily access my latrine due to the light that is all over my compound and Even when it rains for 2 days, I would still get the light. Manano is one of those beneficiaries who works very hard to promote the product. At his shop he has placed a poster of the product in order to attract his customers. My message to other people using the old technology is that I am relieved of very many things. These products are strong, that is why I do promote it at my shop and I want to become an Agent. Manano is therefore discouraging people who are still trapped with the usage of “Kaduma” to come out so that together the environment can be conserved.
Story 2
Introduction
Wilembe Sunday is a female Councilor of Nebbi Municipality, aged 31, a resident of Akesi village, Nyacara parish, Abindu division, and blessed with 4 children. Wilembe remembers having heard about the improved Cook Stove from Mugisa Robert (a staff of Nebbi District NGO forum) who happened to have visited a friend in their neighborhood. In the process of discussiong with the friend about the available products at their office, Wilembe picked interest in knowing more about the products.
Situation before intervention
Wilembe explained that her family had been using a metalic cook stove and was often faced with a lot of challenges using the old system. “I have been using a lot of charcoal that is, 11/2 basin of charcoal at the rate of 7,000/= (Seven thousand Uganda shillings only) on weekly basis. Besides, the Metalic cook stove cooked slowly and was very dirty since it came without any plaint on it, and the box is hot all the time you are cooking, said Wilembe”.
Situation After
After getting sensitized on all the benefits of the new improved cook stove, as opposed to the old system, she went ahead and acquired the new technology and noted the following: “The dual cook stove looked attractive and uses both charcoal and fire wood, there is often an alternative that is, the cook stove uses less charcoal and lesser smoke. Wilembe strongly advises her fellow women to come up and adopt the new system in place so as not to put so much pressure on the environment.