WHO ARE SOLAR MAMAS?

This is a story of 13 women from Zanzibar in Africa, who were living in extreme poverty. Most of them were illiterate. They didn’t even have electricity at home. How could they come out of such deprivation?

Here, comes a beautiful twist in their life. The Barefoot college located in small village of Rajasthan(India) gave them opportunity to become Solar Engineers!

(pic credits: THE HINDU)

Journey wasn’t easy . Many of them never crossed boundaries of their own villages. Now, they were going to completely unknown place located more than 5000kms from their country(Tanzania), For the first time away from their families. Climate was another big challenge. They spent their lives in tropical humid climate, but their new destination, Rajasthan is a dessert. Additionally, the biggest hurdle was a language barrier. They didn’t know English.

But, their will power was very high.They bravely fought against all odds. They learnt skills to manufacture, repair and maintain solar lanterns and house hold lighting system. Their alma mater , The Barefoot College at Tilona tought these women using color codes(to overcome language barrier) and empowered them to become Solar mamas.

After coming back to Zanzibar, solar mamas not only brought sustainable light to their own houses, they have also installed solar system to more than 600 houses. The cost of lighting system is less than $4 for a month.

(pic credits: india water portal)

Today, when World is worried about issues of Climate Change and greenhouse gases, Solar Mamas are acting as pioneers in providing alternative green energy that too at lowest cost. This model is replicated by Barefoot college across the world providing light to 5,50,000 people.

This is a story of real empowerment. Unknown Photon salutes efforts of Barefoot College and Solar Mamas to solve problem of poverty and energy scarcity.

This is our third article in ‘INSPIRE ME’ Series. In the last article we discussed about Social Entrepreneurship and Bangladesh’s Grameen Bank. You can find the link below.
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