STAFF REPORT LHR: Creating a new micro-finance system to empower women with a unique blend of production of much-needed renewable energy to electrify over 500,000 power-deprived villages of Pakistan is the best ever innovation so far being implemented successfully by Bukhsh Foundation in various villages of Punjab.
Over 100,000 villagers are the direct beneficiaries of this project under which solar lanterns have been provided to around 50 houses each in 40 selected villages of Punjab where electricity was an imaginary thing for people, even in this modern era of second decade of the 21st century. So far the project has achieved 10 per cent of its target.
The project titled “Lighting a Million Lives (LaML)” has been implemented successfully in 10 villages of Sahiwal, besides achievements in Lodhran, Minawali, DG Khan, Dera Ismel Khan and other villages. The cost of the project in one village is over Rs 50,000.
Besides lightening their house and proving these villagers the facility to continue their household work with an ease at night, mobile charging units have also been installed and sustainable employment opportunities have been created for over-40 needy women of these village.
Buksh Foundation Chairman Asim Buksh told the media that they have a vision to contribute 500 megawatts of renewable energy to the country by the year 2020, adding 10 percent share to the total national renewable power generation.