Rural women trained in India bring solar power to African villages
The Solar Mamas programme has trained 1,708 women from 96 countries to install and repair solar lighting systems.
According to a report by the Times of India, the Solar Mamas programme run by India's Barefoot College has trained 1,708 rural women from 96 countries to become solar engineers. These women, many of whom have little or no formal education, learn to assemble, install and repair solar lighting systems to bring electricity to their communities.
The initiative has helped provide electricity to more than 75,000 households and has saved an estimated 45 million litres of kerosene. The training takes place at the Tilonia campus in Rajasthan and traditionally lasts six months, using practical, hands-on methods instead of written textbooks.
In southern Tanzania, six women from the Mtwara and Lindi districts trained through the UN Women-supported Rural Women Light Up Africa initiative. UN Women reported that 69 households in Chekeleni village have received solar-powered lighting, with work continuing in the villages of Nitekela and Mkwajuni.
The solar systems include a panel, battery, charger and three lamps. Families can use a five-year instalment plan to pay for the equipment, while a community savings scheme covers maintenance costs and stipends for the engineers.
The programme is expanding its training network in Africa, with vocational centres planned or supported in countries such as Senegal, Burkina Faso, Liberia and Tanzania.