Characteristics of network ties
Participants reported lack of household impeded social gatherings after dark because people could not see one another.

With improved access to household lighting, people were able to socialize with their friends and neighbours with increased hours for socialization.

Participants described how neighbours would gather outside to socialize, using the solar lighting to illuminate the gathering. In this sense, access to lighting was something the whole community benefited from because it was shared.

Lighting was also described as facilitating religious studies and gatherings, a central component of life for many participants. The ability to facilitate access to solar energy and lighting was described by one participant as “one of God’s miracles”:

Household lighting was also described to have multiple positive effects on community safety. Participants explained that thieves would often come at night in the absence of lighting but were deterred by outdoor “safety” lights.

Both the owner of the solar lights and their neighbours experienced the benefits of lighting to improve community safety.



