Train Solar Mamas to Electrify Communities

by Friends of Barefoot College International

Summary

Our solar engineering program increases the number of hours available in a day for the world's most left-behind communities by giving them access to clean energy. We replace their kerosene oil-fueled lamps with solar lights, and more importantly, we train women from within the community as informal solar engineers to install, repair, and maintain the equipment. The community owns the knowledge and technical skills thus maintaining the sustainability of this solution.

$25,000
total goal

$17,156
remaining

8
donors

1
monthly donor

7
months

Challenge

Most remote and poor rural regions worldwide lack access to electricity, forcing them to rely on fossil fuels, such as kerosene, for light. This causes severe ocular and respiratory health issues along with serious environmental harm. Lack of energy also means time and resource poverty because of limited daylight hours for work and travel. The challenge lies in providing solutions that the community can own; solutions that require minimal external intervention to keep them functioning.

Solution

We start with custom solar home lighting systems that are repairable. Then, we hold community sensitization meetings and select women who undergo a four-month residential training to become a Solar Mama. The women learn technical as well as leadership, entrepreneurship, health, and financial skills. Upon their return, each Solar Mama installs and maintains the solar equipment in 50 houses. She becomes a changemaker who replaces darkness with light and leads the path to community development.

Long-Term Impact

International Energy Agency states that four in five people in sub-Saharan Africa live without electricity. Our Solar Mama training and electrification program has brought light to 175,000 households, reducing the impact of fossil fuels and improving health indicators. The Solar Mamas maintain the equipment to sustain the long-term impact in their communities. Alongside keeping women at the forefront, families see an increase in income, improvement in education and enhanced quality of life.