Social engagement
Non-renewable sources of household lighting in rural Uganda include candles and kerosene lamps. These lighting sources were described as a source of interpersonal conflicts if perceived as being used wastefully.

Purchasing candles and kerosene for lamps was also costly, causing conflict over money to purchase fuel. Many participants explained that once they had access to solar lighting, they no longer needed to ask their partners for money for lighting expenditures, thus reducing conflicts.



Many described how family relationships in general improved with access to household lighting. Some women explained that arguments would arise amongst family members over who got to use the light source because there were not enough for the whole family. However, once given access to solar lighting, the conflicts ceased.

Finally, participants described a sense of relief with solar lighting, which reduced the financial burden of purchasing non-renewable lighting fuels. In addition, all members of the household benefited from improved household lighting to support completion of schoolwork and reading activities.

