School as a Solar Charging Station: Lighting Up Young Futures

High in the quiet hills of Junnar Block of Pune district lies Kathewadi, a small tribal village of barely 25–30 families. Life here moves with the sun; when evening falls, darkness settles quickly. With no reliable electricity, studying after sunset is nearly impossible for the children. Yet, nestled among the rugged slopes stands a small government school for Classes 1 to 4 home to 15 bright young learners who dream far beyond the boundaries of their remote village.

But dreams need light.

Because there is no reliable electricity in Kathewadi, evenings brought a long pause: after sunset, studying or reading became impossible. The village households often relied on kerosene lamps that were dim, smoky, costly and harmful.

That lamp becomes more than just a source of light — it becomes hours of study, a safer home environment, and a tool to access opportunity.

More Than Just Light

The impact of this project spread far beyond the classroom. Children with their solar lamps in hand can study after sunset, do their homework, read books, and dream bigger.

• Families will no longer depend on smoky kerosene; the lamp brings clean, safe light for cooking, chores, and daily life.
• Dependency on electricity as it is most of the time very irregular… will reduced 
• The school, once just a place for daytime learning, becomes a beacon of hope — literally charging the future of an entire village.

Location & Context

Kathewadi belongs to the Junnar block of Pune district. The town of Junnar itself lies approximately approx.119 km by road northwest of Pune city. This means that Kathewadi being one of the remote villages in this block — is situated well away from urban amenities, which explains why grid-based electricity and modern infrastructure remain out of reach.

Because of its location and rugged access, many families in Kathewadi had limited options  until URMEE’s intervention showed a different path.

URMEE’s Vision: Light, Learning & Opportunity

The aim isn’t merely to bring light — but to unlock potential by ensuring that every child has access to a charged solar lamp:

• URMEE is affirming that every child no matter how remote their home deserves the chance to study, to learn, to dream.
• The project doesn’t end at the school gate. It reaches into homes.
• It plants a seed of sustainable development: clean energy, empowerment, dignity.

Kathewadi may be one of the farthest, often-overlooked villages in Junnar block — but today, its children carry within their hands something powerful: light. Light to read. Light to learn. Light to imagine a future beyond the hills.

As dusk settles and tiny lamps flicker on in humble homes, Kathewadi is no longer defined by darkness — but by hope, resilience, and the promise of opportunity.

This is more than an initiative. It is a quiet revolution. And it is only the beginning.