Under the blistering sun, Pedro Guerra, UNICEF child protection specialist and Leonard Ndirahisha a coordinator for Burundian NGO FVS Amade track the trails and hills of Gitega province in central Burundi. The two are out on a mission to collect feedback of portable bicycle-powered Nuru LED lights in a pilot project to offer safe and affordable lights to rural families.

A study conducted by UNICEF with the University of Burundi on how Burundians use energy. As a result of years of war and underinvestment in infrastructure, a meagre 3 per cent of people living in Burundi have access to the electricity grid. The rest of the 8.5 million people, most of whom are living in extreme poverty in rural areas, are forced to source their own energy and light.

A bicycle-powered LED light is used in Gitega province. Called Nuru, meaning 'to brighten' in Swahili, the lights can help poor families in rural areas who lack access to electricity. (LEdinside/ UNICEF)

“On average, we found that a family who may earn little over a dollar a day is spending up to 10,000 Burundian francs [about US$5] on kerosene and other energy sources per month,” said Guerra. These forms of power come with such risks as exposure to unhealthy smoke in homes and eye problems, especially for children.

A woman in Gitega province. Poor families often spend a large proportion of their incomes on sources of energy and light, some of which are harmful to health. (LEDinside/UNICEF)

The light, which goes by the name of Nuru – to brighten, in Swahili – is similar in structure and functionality to a battery-powered headlight that mechanics, rock climbers and midnight readers might use. But Nuru is hardwearing and is powered by Powercycle, a bicycle-like device that can recharge up to five lights and mobile phones in just 20 minutes.

Children in Gitega. Plans are underway to enable solidarity groups to sell the lights for income-earning opportunities. The groups work to address poverty and care for orphaned and vulnerable children in their communities. (LEDinside/UNICEF)

Each Nuru can provide a rural household with light for up to 10 days (or 28 hours per recharge). A family can purchase a Nuru for about 12,000 Burundian francs. The recharge fee is about 300 Burundian francs every 10 days. The Nuru lights come in low, mid and high light output settings, and can be used in multiple activities.