Environmental research

Problem Statement: Communities in remote, rural areas traditionally lack access to conventional power sources. As these communities have to rely on kerosene or firewood for basic energy needs, pressure on the local environment has increased dramatically having a negative impact on the global environment. It is estimated that one rural family in Africa typically burns 60 liters of kerosene a year, releasing one ton of CO2 in less than 10 years. Solar energy provides an alternative energy solution while simultaneously spurring progress in human development including poverty reduction, gender equality, education and health. However, there is a need to enhance the capacities of local communities to build, install, maintain and repair solar technologies. Local women could play a significant role in addressing these issues. In 2008, GEF/SGP (Global) entered into partnership with Barefoot College in India. Under this partnership, GEF/SGP national programs in Africa and Asia provides funding for elderly mothers in their respective countries to pursue 6 months training in solar engineering. On their return, they install solar home systems to their villages. To-date, 35 women from 12 countries have participated in installation of solar home systems in 15 projects. About the Proponent: Wanawake Kupanda is a new indigenous organization. It is registered in Zanzibar. Its main objective is to promote PV Solar electricity in remote off-grid areas in Unguja, Pemba and Mafia. WK has already approached UN Women, UNESCO and Giving Women in order to expand the coverage of its work. Project objective: To train semi-literate rural women to fabricate, install and maintain solar lighting systems in villages Specific Objective: To fully solar-electrify two villages in Zanzibar by illiterate rural women trained in India. Implementation Strategy: Use the Barefoot approach, which has been used in other countries:- Facilitate identification and selection of suitable grandmothers/elderly women for the training. Illiteracy should not be a barrier Use GEF/SGP support to sponsor the selected women to India for six-month training Sensitize Village Community to establish a Community Empowerment Centre also known as rural electronic workshop. The workshop will receive equipment from India. Receive solar equipment in Zanzibar. Transport to local village (Solar equipment to be received by India High Commission. Therefore no tax to be charged) Install solar electrification equipment in all households (100 solar units; 100 solar lanterns) Collect community contributions for O & M Document the process for future reference and records

Tanzania