Jannat Bano Devi, Solar Engineer
In just 2 days, Solar Mama Jannat Bano solar electrified 3 rural villages in the Jaipur district of Rajasthan, India. Having trained with EMPBindi International Association at its Indian campus, she got to work immediately, completely remembering her training on assembling and installing Solar Home Lighting systems to dozens of remote homes. We followed her to Prayatna and Sara Laxmipura regions to watch her while she provided the villagers with their very first reliable, renewable solar-powered electricity.
Homes in these regions are often forgotten about-many residents of certain tribes are considered nomads who are not original locals from the region. They’re not usually provided with regular government-funded amenities. Thus, some villages are still completely disconnected from the grid. When asked, residents say that at night there are dangers in the region- thieves or animals are common threats to safety. A solar lantern helps to protect villagers at night.
In early 2020, 110 solar home lighting systems arrived to be installed in 9 local Jaipur District villages. Jannat got to work quickly, astounding us with the speed and efficacy in which she installed. As she began clicking on lights at the end of the processes, the villager’s eyes lit up with awe and delight- finally, a solution to the darkness of evenings. Each home lighting system can power up to 4 lights and charge cellphones and are paired with portable solar lanterns.
JANNAT’S JOURNEY
Jannat hails from Hachukuda, Prayatna and studied at the EMPBindi International Association campus in Rajasthan, India for 6 months. She was given a refresher course in 2019 for 20 days. She comes from a line of farmers who toil in temperatures that reach 50 degrees Celsius during the day and can drop to 0 at night. It’s an extreme, semi-arid climate that for many would be deemed inhabitable.
She remembers her engineering training fondly, where her solar master trainers were patient and accommodating while she met many other women who trained at the same time. She absorbed the classes with ease and enjoyed the accessibility to knowledge and tools that women typically aren’t allowed in rural India. When she returned to her village, her community perceived her differently. She was able to voice her opinions more boldly and impart the training she received on other women and girls. Her peers and family respected her more for her courage and resilience in the face of profound and lasting transformation.
2/3 of Indian nationals are still surviving on less than $2 a day wages. This level of poverty has been linked to gender disparity and the workforce being inaccessible to women. 45% of Indian girls are still being married before legal age in India, resulting in many girls dropping out of school prematurely.
Jannat was one of the girls who had to marry young- the common fate of many rural teenagers and children. Her chances to progress in school were dissolved early in life, usually despite their own dreams and ambitions. When she was invited to study solar engineering as an adult- likely the first opportunity of its kind offered to her- she did not hesitate to seize the opportunity.
Her husband also saw this as an opportunity and gave her his consent. It is thanks to the support of forward-thinking rural men that women like Jannat can reach their full potential through our programs. When a woman in the household also works, it’s an additional income that benefits the entire family. We aim to help more communities realise this.
““After many years of being a housewife and farmer as my only option in life, I did not hesitate when I was offered the chance to study- this was my
calling!””
INCREASING RURAL PROSPERITY
Lower poverty rates have been directly linked to regions with greater access to quality education-while accessibility may be increasing, those who aren’t able to study at night suffer. Many rural children are expected to work on the family farm during the day, greatly limiting daylight hours where they’re able to study.
Solar-powered light is enabling children to continue their studies while accommodating demanding timetables. Solar lanterns, which replace kerosene lamp burning by an impressive 99%, also completely avoid the dangerous and toxic fumes that traditional lamps emit. Villagers have also repeatedly complained about the low level of light that kerosene lamps produce compared to the ample light of the solar lanterns, which can last all evening when fully charged. The lantern’s batteries last for years and once purchased, require no extra fees, helping villagers to save money.
Health, safety and education all help to stimulate sustainable prosperity for these oft forgotten-about communities. We believe in providing tools and opportunities that support villagers while they lift themselves out of poverty through locally-tailored solutions.