Merchant Of Light ...

Just after the sun dropped beyond the horizon, our four wheel drive vehicle rolled slowly down a hill on a rocky path toward a small village named "Namindangi."

We stopped near a group of wooden shacks and small concrete structures.

Dozens of children ran from their homes to gather near the side of our dusty car.

Along the dirt path to our left, several older women wearing colorful clothing presented neatly organized piles of green, white, and orange pumpkins and bright red tomatoes for sale.  

For just a few precious dollars, a visitor could purchase tens of pounds of food.

Further ahead, in an open area near the center of the village, a merchant named  "Casim" called for our attention.

Here, we found a source of light.

"Casim," at thirty-three-years old, is a colorful salesman of "paraffin."   He packages his beloved "paraffin" in small plastic sleeves and sells "bundles" of product in two different sizes.  

Small bundles are 10 Kwacha (6 cents).  Large bundles are 20 Kwacha (12 cents).  

What are these carefully displayed packages of "paraffin" for? 

None of the homes in the village have electricity.  

So, basic utilities such as lights and refrigerators are not an option.

When the sun goes down, the village is very dark.  Often, wood burning fires produce the only light.  

Many homes are made of thick mud walls without windows.    

If villagers can afford the luxury, small candles and rustic paraffin lamps are sometimes used as a source of light just before bed.  

In countries such as the United States, we assume power and light should be available at all times.  Take our power away for an hour or two and we move into a frenetic, confused, emotionally charged, demanding state.  We are outraged.  

In a rural areas within Africa and other regions of the world, access to electricity and light are special gifts.  

For "Casim," the need for light offers an attractive business opportunity.  The money he makes selling paraffin complements his only other source of income - a major endorsement deal with Nike.  Note the proud display of the globally omnipresent "swoosh."  Smile.