jenny b

This 10-month Fellowship is trucking right along, with only 3 months left to work here in Udaipur. Time has particularly sped up this last month, as I began working on several new (and exciting) projects. Solar is the name of my new game. I love energy from the sun. I love the sun. And I love this work!

Along with working on several funding proposals for the Natural Resources Development Unit of Seva Mandir, I have been helping develop a new initiative – a Rural Renewable Energy Program. The concept is essentially a micro enterprise / hybrid business incubator model that will train rural youth in selling and servicing renewable energy products in their village. We’ll start with the most accessible: solar. Here’s a snap-shot I recently wrote for a local Rotary Club chapter, who is partially funding the project:

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Did you know that many villages in Udaipur District can’t even turn on a light?

It’s true. Many villages in this region, most of which are tribal, either have no access to electricity, inadequate and/or erratic access, or simply can’t afford the high cost of getting on the grid. Families are forced to turn to kerosene “chimneys” that provide dim, costly, dangerous, and unhealthy evening light to work, cook and study by.

Among other barriers to well-being, there is a lack of livelihood options in the region. 93% of families depend on self-farming practices and migration labour is on the rise. Without many options, many youth feel little hope of living a better life.

Is renewable energy a viable option for rural communities? (psst. Yes!)

Last fall, Seva Mandir, in a partnership with a Delhi-based manufacturer, successfully distributed subsidised solar lights in 15 villages outside Udaipur. There were positive results:

• Rather than a hand-out, households contributed Rs.300 for a solar light.
• Families have reduced kerosene usage – some 100%!
• We’re hearing an increasing demand for more renewable energy options.
• A number of youth have expressed interest in making a business out of solar.

Seva Mandir responds with the Rural Renewable Energy Programme:

This exciting new programme will create a platform to:

• Create alternative and sustainable livelihoods for rural youth and women.

• Promote and create better access to clean and affordable renewable energy options that improve health, environmental, economic, and social well-being.
• Establish a foundation and support system that nurtures a sustainable entrepreneurial approach to the wide-spread adoption of renewable energy.

The long-term programme will be kicked off by a 3-year, Rs.29 lacs (~$63,000) plan to provide technical, business, and financial training for 12 youth entrepreneurs; promotion of alternative energy options through marketing campaigns and partial support for purchase of demonstration solar products to around 1,000 households; and seed grants and on-going support services for the budding entrepreneurs. An important focus of the programme is to build ownership and more sustainable communities, thus the initial 1,000 families will contribute financially for their renewable energy products.

The initial phases of the programme will support 6 clusters in Udaipur and Rajasmand Districts. A cluster includes 1 Youth Resource Centre, up to 8 villages and at least 2 youth entrepreneurs. Through participation in the programme, entrepreneurs will be prepared to negotiate with product manufacturers, sell and perform post sales services, and will have the foundation and support to succeed in their new business venture.

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To help get a feel for this project, I’ve been out in the field a lot this month – in villages interviewing folks using solar lights and also with other NGOs doing similar work. A few weeks ago I went to a village outside of Jaipur to see a government scheme in action: a subsidized solar lantern charging station that is run by village entrepreneurs. An international NGO, Humana People to People, is facilitating this program in a total of 34 villages in Rajasthan. They graciously took me to Chhota Kakrana Village to visit with Rohitashi Devi, who has been operating her station for the last year.

Rohitashi has a total of 50 lanterns and says she rents about 35 a day for Rs.2 (~$.04). She sets aside 30% of her income for repairs and potential lantern replacements and thus supplements her family’s monthly income by about Rs.1500 (~$33). With this, and the money saved not purchasing kerosene, she’s able to buy extra food and study supplies for her three kids in school. She says she’s really happy to have this opportunity and loves that other village kids come to their house to study at night – no burning eyes under that LED light!

We’re looking into this program as something to supplement our efforts in creating “solar entrepreneurs.” We’re also looking into additional products that would ease other common burdens. In addition to lighting with kerosene, people cook, often in their homes, with either kerosene or collected fuel wood (a dwindling resource) – both of which are unhealthy; they travel long distances and pay hefty fees to charge their mobile phones; and they use diesel fuel to pump water from wells and feed agricultural fields.

Over the next few months we’ll be working with our new youth entrepreneurs to survey their villages for the products they need the most and are therefore most likely to buy. In the meantime, we’re applying for program funding, forming essential partnerships to pull it all off, and looking into ways we can offset product costs for people that need them the most. What fun!

And for more fun, here are a few of my favorite village scenes from the last 6 months: (as always, you can get photo info by running your cursor over the image; photos were taken on the Canon G11 unless noted)