The Solar Mamas Jordan Project (WeServ, Women Empowerment for Solar Electrification of Rural Villages) in collaboration with the Jordan Friends of the Environment Society (JoFoE) has sent two Bedouin women from the desert of Jordan to the College of Barefoot in India for training on assembling, dismantling, installation and maintenance of solar cells. The women trained for six months on this techn
ique and were able to bring power to 80 homes in their village. The Solar Mamas’ Project is an eco-friendly form of energy usage; it has raised the awareness of the villagers of the importance of reducing the impact on climate change. In addition, the community is able to manage and oversee the implementation and training of villagers through the setup of a Solar Committee and the establishment of a solar workshop in their village site. The Solar Project is also expected to have impact on the communities and surrounding environments, where, schools, local health centers, shops and other critical services can have access to the same source of power, and in return, provide the essential services they specialize in for the communities at more affordable and reachable means. An important outcome of this innovative project is the shift in view of the value of elderly women in the community. Because the project targets grandmothers, the Solar Mamas’ project has shown that not only do aged women but also illiterate or semi-literate women can contribute to their homes and communities. The project also displays a classic example of how the poor and underprivileged in society can be empowered to help themselves out of poverty and discrimination. To learn more please visit: http://www.solarmamasjo.org
