Solar and pedagogical association of the rural area of Nazareth Asoperna
Colombia, La Guajira, Nazareth
2016
Technology:
Transition Areas
Fair Energetics
- Alternative energy supply.
- Access to energy for local communities.
The project began with the trip of the leader Magalys Polanco to India, where she was trained for 6 months in 2013. There he learned how to compose a load control board, a system that is now installed in the homes of every family in his community.
At the time of participation, 75 low power (40w) solar panel kits had been installed in the territory in two communities.
Technical characteristics of the proposal
40ah batteries, 10 amp dimmers for 4 LED bulbs, other 12v7ah batteries. These batteries are small, as they are from portable lamps, 3 batteries of 100 ah for a total of 300 ah and four solar panels of 75w each, for a total of 300w.
Beneficiaries of the experience
30 families composed of 150 males, 100 females and 120 adolescents (between 13 and 18 years old),
40 girls and 40 boys (0 to 12 years old)
Achievements and problems encountered during implementation
ACHIEVEMENTS:
- Women’s participation.
- Social management.
- Access to energy resources.
- To give light to two communities that were in darkness.
- Allowing hours of activity for children and other family members who previously had to go to bed early for fear of being bitten by a snake.
- Children can now do their homework at night.
- The women use the night to make their handicrafts, knit backpacks and hammocks; the men use the extra time to make their guareñas.
PROBLEMS:
- Cost of equipment.
- Maintenance.
- Lack of institutional support.
- Exclusion for being a community-based initiative.
Women’s participation in the TEJ community experience
The main highlight is that the experience is led by a woman, who had the opportunity to participate in the Barefoot program in India.