GravityLight trials in Jamunamarathur: Meet Jaya

Innovate eXperience was one of our trial partners in India. An organisation passionate about clean tech and human centred design, they joined up with with Indian NGO’s Cheer & Centre for Indian Knowledge Systems (CIKS) to trial GravityLights with 15 families in Jamunamarathur, in the Javadi Hills, Tamil Nadu.

All families were visibly thrilled and excited to receive GravityLight. These families, which still depend on kerosene lamps, they were very eager to see the light light-up for the first time in their house. 

As well as capturing brilliant images and footage of each step of the trial, they shared the following stories and insights.

Meet Jaya

Jaya’s family is still waiting to be connected to the electricity grid. The house had been wired but, years later, they still have no connection.

Perched on a redundant fusebox is a small earthen oil lamp which they use for light instead. Now, a GravityLight and SatLights hangs beside it.

Jaya said that, as well as helping her save money previously spent on kerosene, GravityLight has increased the time she can spend with her family and friends after dark. She also noticed that she didn’t  experience eye irritation anymore, previously caused by the smoky, noxious fumes of her kerosene lamp. 

A small earthen oil lamp rests on the electric switchboard that, several years after installation, is still not connected to the gird.