BEFORE:

• Prior to the lantern she used candles and flashlights.

AFTER:

• Elida used the money she gained back to purchase household supplies, including soap and sugar.

• She purchased two hens, which laid 20 eggs and were just beginning to hatch when we visited. She plans to sell the eggs in the future, which will sell for 1 quetzal per egg.

• Elida used the money to purchase school supplies for her children.

• Elida estimates she has gained back 500 quetzals during the last year.

STORY:

We went on a house visit to Elida’s house. She had a beautiful home that she kept clean and well-appointed with coverlets on the beds and a cardboard photo display with pictures of her sisters and family members. Elida first received her light in March 2018. She is a single mother with two children. Prior to the lantern, Elida used flashlights and candles. 

She used the money to buy household supplies like soap and sugar. Her most significant purchase, however, was two hens which have now laid 20 eggs and are beginning to hatch. Elida also used the money for school supplies for her children. She’s so happy she doesn’t trip and fall at night anymore. 

Elida works in the coffee plantations for income. She plans to sell the eggs in the future. One dozen eggs will sell for 12 Quetzal.

Elida estimates that she has gained back 500 quetzal during the last year.

She’s very glad she doesn’t have to walk around the house and in the dark anymore. Her son also keeps beehives but that is separate from what she’s been able to purchase with our help.