A decade since they began operations in 2011, Deepto has installed solar home systems in the off-grid areas of the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT), which helped marginalized communities in the region to experience electricity for the first time.
A total of 2591 solar home systems were installed across 25 villages of Bandarban, Khagrachhari and Rangamati districts, said a press release.
More than 15,000 beneficiaries, mostly farmers, are directly being benefitted under this initiative.
The initiative generated numerous benefits including the empowerment of women through several income generating activities at night such as sewing clothes, making handicrafts, knitting, processing turmeric etc.
51-year old Dumang Marma, a resident of Monglapara, said that he was involved with farming since his childhood.
Earlier, he along with his family members had to start working at the crack of dawn and wrap up before the sun set. Now, things have changed.
He expressed his gratitude to Deepto for this much-needed initiative.
Naumecheng Marma, 28, another resident, said that in the past, her two lamps were the only hope for light in the nighttime and every month, around Tk300 had to be spent for buying kerosene oil.
Deepto's solar power has benefited her along with other women of the area.
Now they are able to earn money by making various handicrafts at night time.
Prof Mohammad Shafiullah, chairman, Naikhyangchhari Upazila Parishad, said: “Since 2011, we have been enlightened with the light of Deepto. Let Deepto move forward in the days to come and continue to help to the backward people.”
After the installation of the Deepto units, students were relieved of studying using meager kerosene lamps which often caused harm to their eyes.
Deepto has enabled them to study longer hours and excel in education. Moreover, families have also benefited from the extra money, which would otherwise have been spent on buying kerosene.
Thus, Deepto has played an active role in improving the living standards of these marginalized people by uplifting their social and economic conditions.
Since its inception, Deepto has provided access to electricity through solar power to more than 15,000 beneficiaries.
The project has been awarded the internationally acclaimed 'Asia Responsible Entrepreneurship Award-2018' for delivering solar power to the poverty-stricken communities in the hilly areas.
Deepto is committed to build a self-reliant Bangladesh by reducing the dependency on electricity generated from fossil fuels and promoting the usage of renewable energy sources.
In the coming years, Deepto will focus more on the usage of renewable energy across new sectors like agriculture.
