70 Public Utilities Some MEs who ran their businesses from their home, shared electricity connections with their neighbours for household as well as business purposes. Angelina (Fish net repairer, Mawlamyine) was not on the national grid and shared electricity with another household who was on the national grid to whom she paid a fixed price of MMK 5000 ($5) every month. Mima (Ferry woman, Bago) shared an electricity connection with her brother who lived in the next house and paid for half of the bill at the end of the month. Some MEs charged their emergency lights at the neighbours’ house for free or paid MMK 50-100 ($0.05-$0.1). Soe (Potter, Bago) and Ko Hla Phone (Bottle brush seller, Bago) charged their lamps at the neighbor’s house for MMK 50 ($50-$100). Chi (Household help, Mawlamyine) bought a small torch long time back for MMK 3000 ($3) and charged it at her friend’s place for free. Some of the MEs lit candles or used a kerosene lamp every night. Thein (Broomstick maker, Nay Pyi Taw) was not on the national grid and either used kerosene lamp or lit up candles at night. Few MEs paid a fixed price for all the appliances used everyday. Tun (Hawker, Naypyidaw) lived on rent and paid MMK 100 ($0.1) for light and MMK 200 ($0.2) for the fan everyday. Cherry (Pigeon food seller, Yangon) bought electricity from her neighbours, which was only available till 11:30 p.m., after which she had to switch to using candles or kerosene lamps. She paid MMK 100 ($0.1) for a tubelight, and MMK 300 (0.3) for a T.V. Soe’s emergency light San (Rice snack seller, Bago) is another case study for use of an alternative source. A year ago, she learned about the solar panel on TV and paid MMK 60,000 ($60) for it. Before this she used candles. She could not afford a government electricity connection because she had to mortgage her land and spend a substantial amount to rescue her husband who had been caught abroad without proper identification. Tun paid for the appliances he used at home