Bringing Light to Nation

In 2008, Ujang Koswara was asked by villagers in the mountains of southern West Java to help them install lighting in the village.

KOMPAS/DEDI MUHTADI

Ujang Koswara

Electric lamps are usually only used for lighting. However, Ujang Koswara’s self-sustaining electrical lamps called listrik mandiri rakyat (Limar) have multiple functions. Other than being used for lighting, Limar also promotes the values of helping one another, state defense, pride and driving village economies.

In 2008, Ujang Koswara, 49, was asked by villagers in the mountains of southern West Java to help them install lighting in the village. At the time, the villagers on the hillsides of Pakenjeng district, Garut regency, West Java, was still using cempor or kerosene lamps.