Remeza, Kingeline, Yollande and Hanitra are all part of WWF’s access to sustainable energy program managed in collaboration with India’s Barefoot College. The four women joined women from several other countries for a six-month training in India in applied solar technology. Most women joining the program leave their country, sometimes their native regions or villages, for the first time in their lives.
Along with technical training, the program also brings new economic and leadership opportunities for the women. “We are here to learn solar engineering,” says Hanitra. “It's a men thing back there in Mabolo. But here, the ones mastering it are women. It's thrilling to see that women and men, we can do it equally.”
The training is intended for women from remote villages in developing countries but communities participate—and benefit—too. Volunteer applicants for the training are chosen at a village meeting. The village also elects a solar committee to run the administrative, social and financial aspects of the solar program and ensure its financial sustainability.
“I really feel that everything we've learned here will be good for where we're from. It's innovative and so crucial for our village and our living,” says Yollande. “From what I've seen here in India, the women are getting the job done.”