In the quiet evenings of Tarr Bar Community in Buchanan City, life once came to a standstill as soon as the sun disappeared beyond the palm trees. Street vendors packed up early, students huddled around kerosene lamps, and shop owners counted their losses in the dark. The hum of distant generators in wealthier parts of town was a constant reminder of what this community lacked — reliable, affordable electricity.
For years, Tarr Bar’s residents depended on Liberia Hardware Incorporated, a privately owned power supplier charging $50 per amp each month — an impossible cost for families whose daily earnings rarely exceed a few dollars. It was not just the lack of light; it was the loss of opportunity that weighed heavily — businesses closing before nightfall, children unable to study, and streets left unsafe after dusk.
Out of this frustration and determination, a small group of residents led by Vivian Cephus came together to form the Family Forever Group. Vivian, a respected local vendor who sells food and drinks, had seen firsthand how darkness restricted progress. She and nine other members — men and women running small shops, selling clothes, soap, fish, and gasoline — decided they could no longer wait for outside solutions. Together, they envisioned a community-run generator system that would bring light to their homes, their children’s classrooms, and their local markets.
Pooling their limited resources, the group contributed $410 of their own money — an act of deep commitment in a place where every dollar is hard-earned. They mapped out a plan to purchase a 13 KVA generator, run nightly from 6 PM to midnight, and connect around 40 households and businesses. Their plan included everything: wiring, fuel management, maintenance, and fair distribution of electricity.
Their early achievements are already changing lives. With unity and careful planning, they’ve gained strong community backing — neighbors have pledged to provide 30 electric poles, help guard the generator, and participate in its upkeep. The project has also inspired local youths to get involved in technical work, learning to handle basic electrical repairs and wiring safely.
Yet, the journey hasn’t been without hardship. Fuel shortages, high import costs for electrical materials, and inconsistent earnings have slowed progress. There were nights when the group met under flashlights to review their budget and rewrite their plans, determined not to give up. Despite these obstacles, their vision has never dimmed — because this project is more than a power system. It’s about restoring dignity and opportunity to a community that has been left in the dark for too long.
The Tarr Bar Community Electricity Project stands as a testament to what ordinary people can achieve when they refuse to accept limitation. It’s the story of a community that chose to light its own path — not just with electricity, but with unity, perseverance, and hope.
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