Electricity has become such a big part of our lives that the idea of living without it is absolutely unfathomable. 

Yet that’s what Lasela Unapo, 62, of Levi Saleimoa has to live with every day.

 “It has been almost ten years now since we have been living without electricity,” she said.

 “My family is not the only family experiencing life without electricity. Our entire neighborhood suffers from the same issue.”

The problem is that electricity has not reached where they live.

The 62-year-old widow lives inland of Levi Saleimoa with her three children.

Her other five children are living with their in laws. 

“We live a very simple life. We don’t depend too much on things we cannot afford. Our plantation is our main source of sustenance.”

So what’s it like living without electricity?”

“It’s not that hard,” she said. “We use candles, kerosene lamps and kerosene lanterns.”

“We have no fridge so we just make do with what we have. It sounds hard to people who don’t know how to live without power but to us we are used to it.” 

“We can only imagine what it would be like to have power.”

“We are dreaming of that day. We don’t want to continue living like this forever… it’s almost ten years and I hope things will change soon.”

One of the simplest pleasures she wants to enjoy is to be able to watch T.V.

“We are so blind about what is happening locally and internationally,” she said.

“I keep hearing people talk about the Filipino movies and I can only dream of being able to watch it too.”

Lasela said they have been asking E.P.C. for help.

“We’ve never stopped visiting the E.P.C. Even people in my neighborhood always go there; we’ve sent requests to the government asking for help.”

“However they only told us to wait because they are still working on it.”

 “Up till now we are still waiting… hopefully I will see electricity in my lifetime.” 

Apart from that, the widow said life is generally good.

“Despite having no electricity I’m still thankful for this life… we may not have enough but I’m still feeling the blessing of God everyday,” she said.