SMILES: Impact Assessment

Currently we are working in two villages in Sindhuli district of central Nepal which are being developed as the pilot villages. We have tried to quantify our impact in very specific way.

We have been able to set up 2 mini energy centers in two different villages which are producing 480 watts of energy. These energy centers run 2 computer labs with total of 8 computers. These centers are also able to fully electrify 2 local schools each in different villages. Our next plan is to produce a kilowatt of electricity in our energy centers and distribute rechargeable lamps in the villages.

Last year, we were able to build 4 public toilets on our own and 6 were built because of the awareness that has grown in the villagers in recent times. 5 more toilets are to be built by us in the very near future.

School in Kalimati village saw its student number increase by 40 and reach 130 and school in Chilaunekharka village increased its student number by 20 to reach 80. To accommodate the growing number of students 2 classrooms has been built. As the villagers had never seen a computer in their lifetime it was a source of motivation for the parents to send their children to schools. Computer classes are run for the students, teachers and local villagers. The computer literacy rate which was almost 0% has now increased up to 10%. These computer labs have created 2 jobs. In the meantime, we have been able to sponsor three students. Madhav Karki has joined Bachelor of Engineering in Civil. Likewise, Ms. Sabita Chaulagain has started her high school and Sujan Chaulagain is currently studying in grade 3 in a boarding school in Kathmandu.

More than 10 people were employed for a fortnight either full time or part time while the classrooms were being built. One of our influences to the villagers is the construction of a wide local road in Kalimati village where most of the villagers helped with funding as much as they could and provided their voluntary labor. 5 skilled workers were hired for a week. 

We strictly adhere to the use of green energy for the purpose of rural electrification. We have chosen solar power for electrification to reduce the use of traditional kerosene lamps and fire woods which will reduce the emissions of CO₂.