Our support to Barefoot College International will help train hundreds of women as solar engineers and result in the electrification of more than 37,000 rural homes.
An inspirational collaboration
In 2023, we began a three-year partnership with the international NGO Barefoot College International. Our support focuses on the organisation’s Solar Mama ENRICHE programme in Guatemala and Senegal, which teaches women in rural communities how to install and maintain solar power technology.
Training is complemented by skills development in digital literacy, healthcare, civil rights and micro-enterprise management. Programme graduates are then employed in their communities as solar engineers.
Communities transformed
This project will have profound impacts on the communities involved, enabling them to transition from fossil fuel-based sources to clean renewable energy. Programme graduates not only improve their communities' living conditions, but contribute to a healthier environment, reduce air pollution and help avoid the health risks posed by traditional wood fires.
The availability of solar powered lighting extends the communities’ productive hours in their homes, allowing families to cook, children to study after sunset, and adults to engage more easily in indoor labour and social activity.
Looking to the future
Over the course of our partnership, our support will help in Barefoot College internationals global aim of training 744 women and the electrification of over 37,000 homes, benefiting approximately 300,000 people. To date, 24 women have graduated from our funded programme and 350 solar lighting systems have been installed.
In 2024-2025 we will extend our partnership with the Barefoot College International on a pro-bono basis, leveraging our project management, procurement and digital expertise, to add further capability to its operations. Our partnership with Barefoot College International is funded through our Making the Difference Fund, which supports causes aligned to the aims of the fund and our purpose.