Indian illiterate grandmothers trained at solar energy at the Barefoot College by Bunker Roy

Shining Hope’s solar program is based on the empowerment of women and rural development.
By collaborating with Bunker Roy and the Barefoot College, this unique approach makes solar electricity available to the poorest populations in rural areas.
Illiterate women from rural communities are trained for 6 months at the Barefoot College in Tilonia, India, to become solar engineers. They learn how to make, install, repair and maintain solar panels. They set up maintenance workshops for panels that provide five hours of electricity a day. The villagers control and manage the initiative community and the users have ownership of the equipment.
When they are back home, they are able to bring solar electricity to 300 houses in their village, making it possible for children who work in the fields during the day to study at night, thus substantially improving families’ lives.