Mayan Power and Light is an innovative, self-sustaining development model that empowers rural women through social businesses to distribute affordable solar power, water filters and fuel-saving stoves past "the last mile." 40 women train in 1 year of empowerment and business training; 12 women's micro-businesses distribute solar and filters and educate people in rural areas about the health and economic benefits of these technologies. Every year they bring solar lights to 10,000 rural people.
Guatemala is the 3rd poorest country in the western hemisphere. Malnutrition is endemic with 50% of children chronically malnourished. Lack of quality education, training and income generation opportunities keeps people trapped in poverty. Women and girls face additional gender and geographical barriers to participating in the workforce and marketplace. With few economic opportunities, women struggle to feed and educate their children, continuing the cycle of poverty.
We train women and girls in basic technological and business skills to create income generation opportunities in rural areas. Growing an inclusive, green economy, our development model delivers solar power, filters & stoves into the hands of low-income, rural families who invest in clean air, light, and water for their family's health and economic development. With an accessible personal investment, children can read and women can weave at night, they have less parasites and a smokeless kitchen.
Solar Power, Water Filters, and Fuel-saving Smokeless stoves improve the long term health of 10,000 low-income families every year: enabling them to spend less time out of work and less money on health care associated with respiratory disease and parasites. Nighttime efficiency and savings from affordable solar power solutions also helps advance the economic development of a community. Empowered women distributors of these products are positive role models to girls and change gender norms.
This project has provided additional documentation in a PDF file (projdoc.pdf).
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