Great Plains sends 9 to study solar power tech
Staff Writer | Monday September 2, 2019 12:39
The six-month programme gives rural women practical knowledge and skills in electrification through solar power.
According to the CEO and founder of Great Plains, Dereck Joubert, on their return, they will be able to facilitate the electrification of their villages, helping to put an end to the use of candles and paraffin lanterns, which often lead to terrible fires.
“When you empower a woman you empower the nation, at Great Plains we know the important role women play in supporting their families thus contributing to the development of their communities.
In the areas we operate in, there aren’t many opportunities available for women besides the hospitality industry. We believe this will open many doors for these nine women,” said Joubert.
Further Joubert expressed gratitude to Barefoot College, which he said have been doing incredible work in empowering women around the world. He said they seek to demystify, decentralise technology and put new
tools in the hands of the rural poor.
Through this they aim to spread self-sufficiency and sustainability. The college trains women worldwide as solar engineers, innovators and educators, who then return to their villages to bring light and learning to their community.
“These women will be in India for six months and will return qualified and ready to embark on a career path in solar energy.
For many of them it will be their first time on a plane, not to mention living and studying in another country. We are all really excited about this and excited to see the impact it will have in their communities,” he said.
The selection criterion was determined by the Foundation with the assistance of the Okavango Community Trust, Village Development Committees and Dikgosi from five communities in the Okavango Delta.
The selection process involved convening lekgotla’s through community meetings in each of the five villages, namely, Seronga, Gunotsoga, Beetsha, Eretsha and Gudikwa. The purpose of the meetings was to explain to the communities the nature of program, the criteria for selection, and for the community to select candidates.
“One criterion set by the Barefoot College was that the women had to be between the ages of 30 and 55. This age demographic ensures the women selected have strong roots in their communities and will return home after training to invest in their community,”