Mara residents rejoice at ‘brighter’ days

Residents of Mara, a remote village on the East Bank of Berbice, are celebrating the arrival of electricity after years of depending on dim and often unreliable solar lamps. The development marks a significant step in efforts to extend the national power grid to rural communities long left without reliable power.

For resident Timothy Bacchus, the improvement has been “profound.” “Life is so much better now. Before, we managed with solar lamps, but now we can use a fridge, iron clothes, help our children with homework, and do other things,” he told Ignite News.

Sharing her family’s relief, Kamini Devi Sooknanan recalled the difficulties caused by inconsistent solar energy. “On rainy days, our solar didn’t work. The children couldn’t study at night, and pressing clothes was a challenge. Now, with electricity, everything is possible. I’m so glad for my family, and I thank the government for making this happen,” she said.

Another mother, Devika Bhola, who lived 13 years without electricity, said the new service has transformed daily life. “Without the light we used to punish a lot, like for the children doing homework, night time it would be hard, we don’t have light, now I’m getting the light, they will be able to do anything in the night what they want to do. And now we can have a fridge, we can have a TV for them,” she said with a smile.

The change has also improved routines in her household. Her children no longer have to leave home in wrinkled clothing, as she now wakes early to iron their uniforms. “I’ve been married here for 13 years now, without no light. And now I’m thankful. My husband lives here; since he was a baby, we grew up without light, and now we have light,” she added joyfully.

While some homes are still completing their wiring, many residents are already benefiting from the new service, which is expected to enhance education, improve living conditions, and bring long-awaited convenience to village life.