1. World Wildlife Magazine
  2. Winter 2014

Empowering Women in Madagascar through Solar Technology

In March 2013, seven women left their villages in southeastern Madagascar for a six-month training course in solar technology at the Barefoot College in India. They were the first participants in a creative new partnership between WWF and the college, and they returned home ready to light up their villages.

  • women work on solar

    1. Shop Class

    During the solar training classes, the Malagasy women learned how to assemble, maintain and repair solar panels and solar-powered lanterns. Meanwhile, the women’s villages constructed new workspaces for them, and WWF secured the equipment needed to install the solar units.

  • women sitting in madagascar

    2. New Students

    The program is designed for women who lack a basic education but want to improve their communities. Barefoot College instructors use miming, gestures and colors to circumvent language barriers with their students, many of whom are international.

  • women by solar panel

    3. Sun-Savvy

    The women returned home with the skills to electrify a total of 390 households in their villages. Individual households in the villages spend $6-$9 on kerosene and batteries each month, but the new solar units will cost only $1.50-$5 per month. Using solar power instead of fuelwood will also lower pressure on local natural resources.

Learn how solar technology can impact your life.

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World Wildlife magazine provides an inspiring, in-depth look at the connections between animals, people and our planet. Published quarterly by WWF, the magazine helps make you a part of our efforts to solve some of the most pressing issues facing the natural world.

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