The four communities the project is involved in are all displaced or refugees as a result of various reasons.
Faitang: The Faitang Refugee Camp is a recently-established community of displaced people from the hill tracts, located in what were previously military barracks. The houses here are more substantial than most surrounding buildings, however were only intended to provide temporary housing. Virtually no one here has access to solar equipment, with an overwhelming dependence on firewood for cooking and kerosene for lighting (also the same in Baroihati).
Baroihati: This is a community situated in a relatively well settled area , close to other small communities. It is an old and generally stable community with brick structures with approx. 100 years worth of history, according to locals. Nearly a quarter of the households in Baroihati have some kind of solar panel equipment yet still a high dependence on fuel.
Faitang Refugee Camp
Lemolo B: This is a community of internally displaced people from the Mao Forest, relocated by the government as part of a forest conservation project. The legal status of land ownership is uncertain, although residents confirm land rights are to be granted in 2014-2015. Firewood is the main energy source in Lemolo B, however there are a small number of SHS and kerosene users. Collecting firewood can take up to 4 hours each day and is unsustainable. Energy use for light is very low, with only solar lamps and a few torches in use. This is supplemented by paraffin lamps and firewood fires as the main source of lighting. Firewood is a vital source of energy for lighting, cooking and heating.
Echareria: This community consists of internally displaced people, arriving in three waves (1992; 2001; 2007-2008) in response to intercommunal violence. Each wave has resulted in the formation of separate sub-communities. The first wave are more settled, while the most recent wave live in tents. There is higher ownership of SHS in Echareria than in Lemolo B, and a higher use of other energy sources such as batteries, although not in substantial numbers. Firewood and kerosene are the most important energy sources. In addition, there is a greater number of appliances used in Echareria than Lemolo B.
Children in Lemolo B