Teach Guatemalan Women Solar & Create Green Jobs

Summary

In Guatemala malnutrition is endemic with 1 of every 2 children chronically malnourished. Lack of education, particularly for girls, coupled with high fertility rates keep families trapped in poverty. A proven way to break the cycle of poverty is to provide girls with education and opportunity. Women's education through ATC's "Circuits and Solar" workshops will provide young Guatemalan women an education + skills to become solar technicians.

What is the issue, problem, or challenge?

Guatemala is the 3rd poorest country in the western hemisphere . Malnutrition is endemic with 1 of every 2 children chronically malnourished. Lack of education, particularly for girls, keep women and families trapped in poverty. Providing girls with education and opportunity can break the cycle of poverty. Education about electronics and solar power can provide jobs and sustainably improve the quality of life for both students and families who receive solar power.

How will this project solve this problem?

Teaching "Circuits and Solar" to young Guatemalan women will provide technical education about electronics, the technology that fuels the 21st century In Guatemala electricity is much more expensive than in developed countries, and many homes have no electricity at all. Students who take "Circuits and Solar" will have the skills and support necessary to start small businesses selling and installing affordable solar power to homes that lack electricity and to families who want to save money.

Potential Long Term Impact

We will teach 24 - 36 young Guatemalan women "Circuits and Solar" and we will make the curriculum available online for any organization to use - for free - for ever. These women and future classes will have the opportunity to start solar businesses serving on average 1,000 households per year. We have expanded the program to Kenya and Cameroon and we have taught other NGOs how to start solar projects. In 2013 we will hold women's solar workshops for NGOs in both the U.S. and Guatemala.

Project Message

"Now we can make electricity and money!", "The class is very popular! When can you teach it again?"
- Mynor Gonzales and Noah Steinberg, Student and School Administrator

Additional Documentation

This project has provided additional documentation in a PDF file (projdoc.pdf).

Resources

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