Mayan Power and Light catalyzes green economies by empowering women and community leaders with sustainable technology training for social and environmental regeneration. Since 2011 we have installed solar on over 21 community buildings and rural homes reaching over 50,000 people, we trained over 450 women and taught over 600 people hands-on solar power basics. The MPL solar homes program brings solar lights and water filters to rural families in the poorest communities.
For many women in Guatemala, the post-pandemic era has meant no job and no unemployment benefits or other protection. Mayan women face even higher obstacles to overcoming poverty due to gender-based discrimination, social norms, disproportionate involvement in unpaid work, and unequal access to education, healthcare, and property (ILO, 2019). Energy poverty, contaminated water and deforestation are major concerns for this group where an alarming 75% live in poverty.
MPL promotes sustainable solutions to poverty led by women, breaking gender norms about technology, business and leadership. The program integrates major concerns like cost of electricity, waterborne diseases and deforestation by making solutions available for low-income people. We raise awareness and access to simple, appropriate technologies that improve health and help people end poverty. We design new technologies that bring economic opportunity to individuals, families and communies.
Green technologies like water filters and solar power will be available to everyone, improving public health and reducing pressure on the environment. Encouraging small business and women's economic participation provides the next generation's health and education. With solar, families save money once spent on candles and kerosene lamps. Kids, particularly girls, stay in school longer. Local economies become more resilient in the face of increasing natural crises.
This project has provided additional documentation in a PDF file (projdoc.pdf).
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