26 rural Bhutanese women to be trained in India in the use of solar equipment in their villages
By Kinga Dema, Kuensel Online, 20 August 2007
Source: Kuensel Online (Bhutan’s news)
http://www.kuenselonline.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=8917
The Japan Fund for Poverty Reduction is sponsoring 26 rural Bhutanese women to be trained in India in the use and maintenance of solar equipment in their villages. According to the Department of Energy, the executing agency, the women, who left for India on August 17, were selected from 18 villages from across the country. They will be trained for six months in Rajasthan Barefoot College, a community based non-governmental organisation.
Barefoot College’s Bunker Roy said that the women would be trained in the installation of solar panels, establishment of rural electronic workshops in their villages, and in carrying out all major repair and maintenance work. “They will not have to walk for hours to get kerosene for their lighting needs,” said Bunker Roy.
The project director, Mewang Gyeltshen, said that the women would be provided free food and lodging, travelling expenses, security, and insurance during the course of the training. They will be paid Nu 1,200 a month in addition to Nu 12,000 lump sum payment for the entire six months to their families. The project fund is US$1.0 million.
Mewang Gyeltshen said that the aim of the project is to reduce poverty by providing employment opportunities. On completion of their training, they will be provided with solar units and equipment to establish rural electronic workshops, where repair and maintenance will be carried out, said Mewang Gyeltshen. About 350 families had agreed to pay Nu 25 to Nu 50 a month as a fee for the solar units. Mewang said that the rural electrician’s training programme consists of two components – on grid and off grid. Off grid involves training of community women as “barefoot solar engineers” and installation of solar units.
There were about 4,000 solar systems in use, according to energy department. Due to the country’s hilly terrain, many villages could not be covered by the usual electric grid. Those not covered by the grid will receive electricity through solar, wind, micro and mini hydels.