In several impoverished communities on the outskirts of Johannesburg, South Africa, nights are often plunged into darkness. Many families lack stable electricity, relying on candles for illumination. This practice is not only costly but also poses a significant fire hazard. To bring light to these homes, Tzu Chi volunteers initiated a "solar light installation" project.
Bringing light to darkened homes
On October 16, 2025, volunteers Emily, Emmanuel, Themdeka, Standford, and Zandile, armed with tools, solar lights, visited the Khanana and Sophia Town communities. Their mission was to install solar lights for several disadvantaged families.
Their first stop was Sipati's home. Sipati is the mother of Hope, a recipient of the 2024 Tzu Chi New Shoots Scholarship. She single-handedly raises eight children, and her family rents a small room in the Khanana community for 800 South African Rand (approximately 48 USD) per month. Sipati's husband once had a stable job, but his struggle with alcoholism led to constant conflict, prompting Sipati to leave with her children for a fresh start.
Her family of eight lives in cramped quarters, with four children sharing a double bed and the rest sleeping on the floor. Without electricity at night, they relied on candles for light. Two of her elementary school-aged children would huddle at a small table, completing their homework by the dim candlelight. Sipati shared, "I know candles are dangerous and expensive, but I had no other choice." When she heard that Tzu Chi volunteers would install solar lights for them, tears of gratitude streamed down her face. This light was more than just illumination; it was a beacon of hope for her and her children.
Emmanuel assisted with this installation, and Standford, a family member of a patient from the Phomolong exercise room, also joined as a volunteer to learn how to install the lights. Standford initially accompanied his wife to the exercise room but eagerly volunteered when he heard that help was needed. The volunteers hope he will become a local installation volunteer, ensuring this act of kindness continues to spread.
LEFT: Without electricity at night, families rely on candles for illumination. Two children huddled around a small table to do their homework by candlelight. RIGHT: The solar lights not only provide illumination but also bring a sense of hope to Sipati and her children. | Photos: Emily Lu
Giving back amidst hardship
The volunteers then visited Zandile's home. Zandile is a Tzu Chi volunteer in the Sophia Town community and a mother of three. One of her elementary school-aged children lives with her grandmother in Cape Town, another attends high school in Sophia Town, and her two-year-old lives with her in a tiny rented room, costing 500 South African Rand (approximately NT$880) per month.
Zandile regularly helps prepare meals at the Phomolong exercise room or food distribution points, always contributing quietly. When volunteers learned about her meager living conditions and her reliance on candles for light, they decided to install a solar light for her. Zandile was both surprised and deeply moved by the news. She said, "At night, you really can't see anything. My children and I are in complete darkness, sometimes we can only afford a few candles." Now, with the light, her quality of life has improved, and her children can have light at night.
The volunteers were deeply impressed by Zandile's willingness to serve others despite her own poverty. It is this spirit of "finding joy in helping others" that allows Tzu Chi's love to continue shining among people. Now, this light not only illuminates her home but also brightens her path of service.
LEFT: Although Johannesburg is a major commercial city, it has many shanty towns with people living without water or electricity. RIGHT: With solar lighting, residents can finally escape the darkness of long nights and avoid the potential dangers of using candles. | Photos: Emily Lu
A beacon of hope for Nthombi
The solar light installation journey continued to Nthombi's home. She has three children, two in elementary school, and the youngest is only 20 months old. Nthombi's connection with Tzu Chi began during a winter distribution event at her children's school in 2024. Her family was among the recipients, and she met Tzu Chi volunteer Loyce at the event. Loyce invited her to assist at the Phomolong volunteer center, where she could also receive food. Since then, Nthombi has become a dedicated Tzu Chi volunteer.
When volunteers visited her home, they had to navigate a road filled with trash and foul-smelling water. In the hot weather, the pungent odor was unbearable, making it difficult to stay long. This sight deeply saddened the volunteers, highlighting the daily struggle of residents living in such unsanitary conditions.
Inside Nthombi's home, the corrugated iron roof was visibly damaged in many places. When asked if it leaked when it rained, Nthombi simply smiled and replied, "Yes, but it's okay!" Despite her lighthearted tone, the obvious holes indicated a significant problem. Her optimism deeply moved the volunteers, echoing Dharma Master Cheng Yen's teaching that "contentment brings lasting joy."
The volunteers recalled that Tzu Chi was assisting with similar roof repairs in the Ladysmith community. They considered learning from the Ladysmith volunteers to initiate a repair project here, hoping to improve conditions for more families.
LEFT: Nthombi must pass through a road full of trash and foul water to get home. RIGHT: The roof of her home is made of rusty, salvaged corrugated iron, which is dilapidated and full of holes. | Photos: Emily Lu
When the solar light flickered on, the room filled with laughter and emotion. Nthombi announced that if neighboring children needed light, she would gladly invite them to her home to do their homework, as her house was now the only one with light in the vicinity.
LEFT: Standford initially only accompanied his wife to the exercise room, but when he heard that volunteers needed help, he immediately volunteered to join. RIGHT: The successful installation of solar lights also inspired new volunteers to join this initiative. | Photos: Themdeka
From Khanana to Sophia Town, each lit lamp represents the continuation of love and hope. As more locals become volunteers, together, they illuminate the darkness and ignite the spark of kindness in people's hearts. May this light continue to shine on more souls and homes.
Written by Emily Lu (呂月霞), Yu-Hsien Chien (簡毓嫺)
Translated by Mindy Chen (陳敏理)
