Since 2004, poor illiterate and semi-literate men and women have been visited in their remote villages and identified by the communities to leave their village for the first time, to travel to a far off land where everything from food, weather and clothes to language, culture and habits, is different. Even though, these trainees, most of whom are mothers and grandmothers, come to an unknown country where they need to communicate through sign language and hand gestures, learn to become confident and competent Barefoot solar engineers within 6 months. This unique Barefoot approach of training and rural solar electrification has been replicated in Africa, Asia and South America,

World Wide Map (PDF)

Rural Solar Electrification in Africa

Community Based Organizations in Africa (PDF)

Rural Solar Electification in India (PDF)
 

Benin

Two illiterate, rural women BSEs successfully solar electrified 308 households in Hon, the first village to be solar electrified in the Zogbodome District of Zou Region. 1 rural electronic workshop has been installed for them to repair and maintain 308 home lighting units and 9 lanterns.
Click here to view the profiles of Barefoot Solar Engineers in Benin

Contact Persons: Christele Adedjoumon, Stephane Zinzindohoue
Organisation: Abed Ong
Postal Address: P.O Box 927, Cotonou-Benin
E-mail: christelade@free.fr, zstephane1@yahoo.fr, abedongben@yahoo.fr
Phone number: +229 900 47001, +229 931 31934, +33 603 359124
Fax: +229 900 47001, +229 931 31934, +33 603 359124

Cameroon

In 2007, four women were trained from the Bwape and Batcheu village of Cameroon. After being trained for 6 months to fabricate, assemble, connect, install, repair and maintain lamps, lanterns, charge controllers, circuits, batteries and modules, the women were to solar electrify 163 households with a home lighting unit and lantern each. However, due to problems at the customs the shipment of solar lighting units has not been cleared since 2007. On 15 September 2009, 2 literate women arrived at the Barefoot College training centre in Tilonia to be trained as BSEs in 6 months.
Click here to view the profiles of Barefoot Solar Engineers in Cameroon

Contact Person: Ms. Beatrice Fonyam
Organisation: Rural Women Development Centre (RUWDEC)
Postal Address: P.O.Box 408 Buea-Cameroon
E-mail: ruwdec@yahoo.co.uk
Phone number: +237 77816124
Fax: +237 77816124

Djibouti

The first batch of BSEs from Djibouti comprised of 5 illiterate, middle-aged women. In 2010, the women will independently solar electrify 2 villages, Assemo and Khor Anger, with 250 households. 2 REWs will be installed for the BSEs to repair and maintain 250 home lighting units and 250 solar lanterns.
Click here to view the profiles of Barefoot Solar Engineers in Djibouti

Contact Persons: Mory Camara, Molly Melchin and Cody Donahue
Organisation: Tostan
Postal Address: BP 29 371 Dakar, Senegal
E-mail: info@tostan.org
Phone number: +253 351718
Fax: +253 351718

Ethiopia

Since 2005, 28 women and 18 men have been trained as Barefoot Solar Engineers (BSEs) in Ethiopia. 24 villages, including 1,040 households, have been solar electrified in the Tigray, Gambella, Benishangul, Afar and Somali regions. 15 rural electronic workshops (REWs) have been set up for the BSEs to carry out repair and maintenance of 650 home lighting units and 390 solar lanterns. The rural households in Ethiopia save approximately 10,000 litres of kerosene every month. The first Barefoot College Training Centre in Africa was set up at Tukul village in the Tigray Region in 2009.
Click here to view the profiles of Barefoot Solar Engineers in Ethiopia

Contact person: Dereje Assefa, PhD, Assistant Professor in Plant Pathology
Organisation: Mekele University, Mekele
Postal Address: 231, Mekele, Tigray, Ethiopia
E-mail: derejeaa@yahoo.com
Phone number: +251 344401088, 0914701959
Fax: + 251 344409304

The Gambia

After 6 months of training at Barefoot College, Tilonia, 4 literate and illiterate rural women went back to solar electrify 189 households in the Kaknkrang, Kanfenkeng, Bullenghat and Kanwally village of The Gambia. 4 rural electronic workshops have been set up for the women to look after 189 home lighting units and 189 lanterns. Households in The Gambia save almost 1000 litres of kerosene every month.
Click here to view the profiles of Barefoot Solar Engineers in The Gambia

Contact Persons: Therese Drammeh and Ali A.O. Ceesay
Organisation: Riders for Health
Postal Address: Dept. of Health & Social Welfare, The Quadrangle Banjul, The Gambia
E-mail: tdrammeh@hotmail.com
Phone number: +20 437 8792, 437 8989
Fax: +20 437 8792

Malawi

7 rural women represented Malawi for a 6 months training in rural solar electrification. After gaining practical experience in fabrication, assembling, installation, repair and maintenance of lamps, lanterns, charge controllers, circuits, batteries and modules, the women went back and electrified 4 villages with 316 households. The BSEs from Kaphuka, Chimonjo, Chitala and Makunganya village will be paid by the community for looking after 316 home lighting units and 316 lanterns out of 4 REWs. At least 1500 litres of kerosene are being saved in Malawi every month.
Click here to view the profiles of Barefoot Solar Engineers in Malawi

Contact Person: Sikhulile Nkhoma
Organisation: Centre for Community Organisation and Development
Postal Address: 2nd Floor, Nasa Building, Near Area 3 Market, P.O Box 2109 Lilongwe, Malawi
E-mail: ccode@ccodemw.org
Phone number: +265 1756 781
Fax: +265 1756 781

Mali

8 semi-literate and illiterate rural women from 4 villages, Tindjimban, De Jegalia, Tassakane and Tihrage, have been trained as Barefoot Solar Engineers. 227 households have been solar electrified with a solar home lighting unit and a lantern each. 3 REWs have been installed for maintenance of the same. Each solar electrified household saves 3-5 litres of kerosene every month. In 2010, Mali will see the electrification of 300 more households and the installation of 1 REW, for the maintenance of 300 home lighting units and 300 lanterns.
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Contact Person: Riborg Knudsen
Organisation: Aide De Leglise, Norvegiene
Postal Address: BP 8031 Badala Ouest Bamaco, Mali
E-mail: riborg.knudsen@nca.no
Phone number: +223 2226274, 2225150
Fax: +223 226274

Mauritania

In 2007, 4 illiterate and literate women came from Muftah El Kheir, Elgarva and El Zajira village to gain practical knowledge in rural solar electrification. The women Barefoot solar engineers of Mauritania not only electrified 250 households will also repair and maintain the 250 home lighting units and 250 solar lanterns for at least five years. One REW has been set up in each village. The solar electrified households in Mauritania are saving up to 1,300 litres of kerosene every month.
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Contact Person: Jaap
Organisation: Lutherran World Federation
Postal Address: P.O Box 443 Rue 42-087 Tevragh Zeina PB Nouakchott
E-mail: represantant@lwfrim.org
Phone number: +222 525 1868
Fax: +222 525 2544

Mozambique

In 2010, 100 households will be solar electrified by 3 middle-aged, rural women Barefoot solar engineers in the Nowa and Chimangla village of Tete Region. Equip with practical know-how of fabrication, assembling, connection, installation, repair and maintenance of solar lamps, lanterns, charge controllers, circuits, batteries and modules, the women will independently look after all units for at least 5 years. 2 REWs will be set up for the BSEs to repair and maintain 100 home lighting units and 100 solar lanterns. After being solar electrified, each household will save 3-5 litres of kerosene every month.
Click here to view the profiles of Barefoot Solar Engineers in Mozambique

Contact Person: P.Virgilio Arimateia Domingos
Organisation: Catholic Mission
Postal Address: Av. Kim II Sung 377 C.P.2626 Maputo, Mozambique
E-mail: tiendeny@gmail.com
Phone number: +258 82 0476460, +258 21 492710
Fax: +258 82 0476460, +258 21 492710

Rwanda

Two villages, Batma Rweru and Jikoma in the Bugesera district of Eastern Province Region, have been solar electrified by 4 middle-aged women Barefoot solar engineers who are barely literate. Their collective efforts and practical know-how have brought electricity to 110 households for the first time. 2 REWs have been installed for the BSEs to repair and maintain 110 home lighting units and 110 lanterns.
Click here to view the profiles of Barefoot Solar Engineers in Rwanda

Contact Person: Clemence Bideri
Organisation: Norwegian Church Aid
Postal Address: P.O. Box 4272, Kigali Rwanda, Rukiri III Zone II Plot 19, Remera
E-mail: nca1@rwanda1.com
Phone number: +250 586940
Fax: +250 586940

Contact Person: Christine Muhongerwa
Organisation: Safer Rwanda
Postal Address: P.O. Box 7301, Kigali Rwanda, Rukiri III Zone 9Plot 19, Remera
E-mail: saferrwanda@yahoo.com
Phone number: +250 584490
Fax: +250 584490

Senegal

The first batch of BSEs from Senegal comprised of 7 middle-aged rural women, each one represented a different village and a region. Each BSE was trained to independently install, repair and maintain home lighting units and solar lanterns in her native village. In 2010, 350 households will be solar electrified from Kabeum of Ziguinchor Region, Keur Simbara of Thies Region, Dindifelo of Kedougou Region, Katote and Thiobalele Nebadji of Matam Region, Kobongoye of Fatick Region and Soudlane of Falick Region. 7 REWs will be installed for the BSEs to look after 350 home lighting units and 350 lanterns.
Click here to view the profiles of Barefoot Solar Engineers in Senegal

Contact Person: Molly Meching and Cody Donahue
Organisation: Tostan
Postal Address: BP 29 371 Dakar, Senegal
E-mail: info@tostan.org
Phone number: +221 338205589, +221 338205632
Fax: +221 338205589, +221 338205632

Sierra Leone

Since 2005, 5 illiterate and semi-literate women and 2 men have been trained as BSEs. 2 rural villages with 64 households have been solar electrified in Sierra Leone. Each household was electrified with one home lighting unit and a solar lantern. 2 rural electronic workshops have been installed for the BSEs to repair and maintain 64 home lighting units and 64 lanterns. In 2010, 3 more villages with 168 households will be electrified with a solar home light unit and a lantern each. All 232 households in Sierra Leone will save up to 1000 litres of kerosene every month.
Click here to view the profiles of Barefoot Solar Engineers in Sierra Leone

Contact person: Idris Kamara
Organisation: Safer Future
Postal Address: P.M.B. 101, Free Town, Sierra Leone
E-mail: info@saferfuture.org
Phone number: +232 22264613, 076710411
Fax: +232 22264613

Sudan

4 rural women came to India, from Mirri Bara, Aldorout and Tesse Abdelsalam village in Kadugli district of Sudan, to be trained as BSEs in 6 months. During their training they learnt to fabricate, assemble, connect, install, repair and maintain lamps, lanterns, charge controllers, circuits, batteries and modules, so that they could go back to their native villages and solar electrify 200 households in 2010. Each household will save 3-5 litres of kerosene after being solar electrified with a home lighting unit and a lantern.
Click here to view the profiles of Barefoot Solar Engineers in Sudan

Contact Person: Zeinab Mohamed Blandia
Organisation: Ru’ya Association
Postal Address: Kadugli Town, Alsheer Road- Block E13
E-mail: ruyabalandia@yahoo.com
Phone number: +249 24625873
Fax: +249 24625873

Tanzania

Tanzania’s first batch of Barefoot solar engineers were 8 middle-aged rural women from Mwandu Itinje and Longgal Onhiga village in the Meatu district of Shinyanga Region, as well as the Naberera and Namalulu village in the Simanjjiro district of Manyara Region. After being trained to fabricate, assemble, connect, install, repair and maintain lamps, lanterns, charge controllers, circuits, batteries and modules in 6 months, the BSEs went back to solar electrify 702 households in the 4 villages. A rural electronic workshop was installed in each village for the BSEs to repair and maintain all 702 home lighting units and 702 lanterns.
Click here to view the profiles of Barefoot Solar Engineers in Tanzania

Contact Person: Godfrey Lelya
Organisation: Institute for Orko nerei Pastoralist Advancement (IOPA)
Postal Address: P.O. Box 12785, Arusha Tanzania, Terraxt Simanjiro Manyara
E-mail: godfreylelya@yahoo.com
Phone number: +255 787 848471
Fax: +255 787 848471

Contact Person: Dorothy C. Ndege
Organisation: International Child Support (ICS)
Address: P.O. Box. 156 Mwanhuzi Meatu Shinyanga
Email: Dorothy.ndege@icsafrica.org
Phone/Fax: +255 784 626 690

Uganda

Two villages, Migana and Miganja, with 200 households have been solar electrified by 4 rural women Barefoot solar engineers. 1 rural electronic workshop has been installed in each village for the BSEs to repair and maintain 200 solar units and 200 solar lanterns. Each family saves 3-5 litres of kerosene every month.
Click here to view the profiles of Barefoot Solar Engineers in Uganda

Contact Person: Jane Rose Ondur
Organisation: Kirewa Women’s Forum in collaboration with Mifumi
Postal Address: MIFUMI Project, P.O. Box 274 Tororo, Uganda
E-mail: admin@mifumi.org, simonndira@mifumi.org
Phone number: +256 751 875 460 (Rose), +256 392 966 282 (Mifumi)
Fax: +256 751 875 460 (Rose), +256 392 966 282 (Mifumi)

Rural Solar Electrification in Asia

Afghanistan

In 2004 for the first time, 1,056 households in 15 villages of Badakhshan, Daikundi, Bamyan, Uruzgan and Faryab region, were solar electrified by 8 men and 17 women BSEs. A 2KWP power plant and 13 REWs were installed for the BSEs to efficiently carry out repair and maintenance of 973 home lighting units and 116 solar lanterns. Each solar electrified household in Afghanistan saves up to 3-5 litres of kerosene every month.

Contact Persons: Beate Fasting and Sverre Hielleset
Organisation: Norwegian Church Aid
Postal Address: NCA, Afghanistan Program House, No.1071, Saraye Ghazni, Near Art School (Lycee Hunarha) District No. 3, Kabul City
E-mail: ncakabul@ceretechs.com
Phone number: +93 20 250 1045, 070 201 421, 070 282 989

Bhutan

Since 2007, 42 illiterate and literate women have been trained as Barefoot solar engineers. They have solar electrified 53 remote villages with 700 households across 18 districts of Bhutan. 21 rural electronic workshops have been installed for the BSEs to repair and maintain 700 home lighting units and 504 solar lanterns. More than 2100 litres of kerosene are prevented from polluting the environment every month.
A Report on Solar Electrification in Bhutan 2007-2008
Click here to view the profiles of Barefoot Solar Engineers in Bhutan

Contact Person: Chime Paden Wangdi
Organisation: Taryana Foundation
Postal Address: Tarayana Foundation, 147 Zomlha Complex, PO Box 2003, Thimphu, Bhutan
E-mail: chimewangdi@gmail.com
Phone number: + 975 2 329333
Fax: + 975 2 331433

Rural Solar Electrification in South America

Bolivia

In 2006, 3 semi-literate and illiterate, middle aged women from the Churabamba, Soloja and Yacupampa village, were trained to fabricate, assemble, connect, install, repair and maintain lamps, lanterns, charge controllers, circuits, batteries and modules in 6 months. However, due to logistical and technical problems the 3 villages with 115 households were solar electrified after a lapse of three years in 2009.
Click here to view the profiles of Barefoot Solar Engineers in Bolivia

Contact Person: Javier Hurtado Mercado
Organisation: Irupana Andeane Organic Food S.A
Postal address: Av. Ecuador No.2249, Zona Sopocachi, La Paz, Bolivia
E-mail: jhurtado@irupana.org
Phone number: +591 2 2412825, 705 55150
Fax: +591 2 2152936