Case study: Solar Mamas
Understanding the positive impacts of technologies is important as they have the potential to enrich our lives and bring about positive social change. Now, we’d like to share an example of a group of women from Madagascar who, through their pioneering work with technology, enriched the lives of their local community.
In the small village of Ambakivao, four women volunteered to be part of the WWF’s access to sustainable energy program, training to become their community’s first solar engineers. The program was produced in collaboration with India’s Barefoot College, an organisation which “forges a first-of-its-kind, women-centred, global network dedicated to sustainable development” (1).
These women, dubbed the ‘Solar Mamas’, brought solar-powered electricity to their village, building their community through shared access to technology. Before the Solar Mamas’ intervention, the community relied on petroleum lamps for lighting. Now, solar-powered lights are spread throughout the village, reducing their carbon footprint and bringing safety to people’s homes.
Learn more about the Solar Mamas of Ambakivao below.
This is an additional video, hosted on YouTube.
What these women achieved is nothing short of incredible, bringing electricity to 200 homes within their community. The programme which the women were a part of has gone on to provide solar power to over 18,000 households with other Solar Mamas in over 90 countries.
What are your thoughts on this project, are there any similarly inspiring projects you’d like to share with other learners.
References:
Gender-Inclusive Approaches in Technology
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