Very recently, in April 2014, Milaap partnered with Mera Gao Power, a green energy organization that tailored its micro-grid design to specifically meet the needs of the poor. For just around Rs.50,000 (about $900), they could bring light to an entire hamlet. Each hamlet has about 30-40 families. So, this worked out way cheaper than each family and shop buying a solar lantern!

Our community of Milaap lenders enthusiastically embraced this chance to make a greater impact. The fundraising started and loans poured in. In just a few days, we had collected enough for Katra to have it’s own micro-grid a small scale electricity grid that operates independently from the main power station, completely on solar energy.

One morning, 4 representatives of Mera Gao Power walked into the village. They setup the micro-grid. That same evening, the people of Katra had light! Not the faint, dirty kerosene wick lantern kind. THIS was the real deal.-

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