They, like many others, have changed their lifestyle by using solar energy.

"This is a great encouragement to my children", Arif's mother Jesmine Begum told this correspondent during a recent visit.

Use of solar energy and electricity battery is becoming popular among rural people in Galachipa and Sadar upazilas of the district, thanks to the innovative efforts by two local NGOs.

Neither the PDB (Power Development Board) nor the REB (Rural Electrification Board) has supplied electricity in the remote villages.

The NGO efforts have also created jobs for many village women. They work in the small plants, assembling solar energy and electric battery sets. The sets are also supplied to neibouring districts, opening up a good business prospect also.

The Coastal Electrification and Women's Development Co-Operative (CEWDC) and The Centre For Mass Education in Science (CMES) have installed solar energy systems in about 200 houses and supply battery system electricity to another 200 since they took the initiative in 1999.

More people in villages in Char Montaz, Rangabali and Char Biswas unions under Galachipa upazila now want these facilities.

The Energy Sector Management Assistance Programmes (ESMAP), World Bank and other donors extended their helping hand in the work.

The Dhaka-based Prokaushali Sangsad Limited is giving technical support.

All the activities are managed and supervised by 35 women who have little education.

At Char Montaz, where the CEWDC office is situated, a small factory has been set up where solar and battery sets are assembled and recharged. Spares and equipment are imported.

Mohiuddin, Field Mmanager of the project, said a solar unit which costs between Tk 17,801 and Tk 26,398, can run six lights and a TV set.

A 8-volt battery costs Tk 1850 and a 12-volt battery Tk 3280.

A battery has five years' guarantee with monthly recharge facilities and back up support by the providers.

"Our products are supplied to different areas of the country including Jhenidah, Satkhira and Bhola, Production Manager Rashed said.

Zakia, Bimola, Lina and Shahida-- all members of CEWDC-- said a worker earns between Tk 1500 and Tk 2000 per month from the project. They deposit a part of their income to the o9rganization's fund as savings.

Solar energy user Kobita Amin of Char Montaz village said she bought it at Tk 2,000. Her school-going son Rajib and two minor daughters are very happy now as they can read under fluorescent lights and enjoy TV programmes, she said.

Anisuzzaman, unit manager of CMES said they have supplied 20 solar sets in Sadar and Uzirpur upazilas in Barishal district.