Kulasikha Singu, a 60-year-old farmer from Lelibadi village, faced the challenges of living in a place where darkness reigned every night. As the sun set, the village was plunged into an overwhelming blackness that kept families indoors, leaving the streets desolate and unsafe. For Singu and his family, the fear of wild animals, reptiles, and thieves loomed large, making even simple evening activities feel perilous.
After PHDP implementation in Lelibadi, there were conducted many meetings to tackle their community issues. During these meetings, Singu and his neighbors voiced their frustrations over the persistent darkness. As a result the community people decided to tackle this issue.
The community people planned and few leaders of the community mobilized to the Panchayat and Block office. They persistently followed up with the Panchayat office.
Their collective efforts bore fruit when the Panchayat approved the installation of four solar street lights in the village lanes. This transformative addition illuminated their surroundings, drastically improving safety. The fear of wild animals and thieves diminished, and for the first time, villagers began to gather outdoors in the evenings, rekindling community spirit and strengthening social bonds.
Reflecting on this change, Singu stated, “The street lights have transformed our lives, and we are no longer slaves to darkness.” He expressed gratitude for the support of Outreach India and the HDF, emphasizing the power of community-driven initiatives.