Mrs Marica Caginitoba leader of Nabouono women’s group while listening to ministry officials. For more government news, click here:- http://thejetnewspaper.com/category/government/
Six months of commissioning the solar electrification at Nabouono Village, Udu Point in Macuata has generated numerous benefits for villagers.
“For the last 50 years and more this village depended on kerosene and candles for lights. But the implementation of solar electrification has generated numerous benefits for the community, women are now able to do their household chores easily at night like cooking breakfast for the school children,” said Marica Caginitoba a 56-year-old solar engineer who trained at Barefoot College
In 2012, the Ministry of Women and Barefoot College identified 10 women aged between 45 and 60 to undergo six months of solar electrification training at the college in Rajasthan India.
On their return these engineers had solar electrified their respective villages in Fiji.
A recent visit by officials from Ministry of Women to Nabouono Village shows that the solar electrification has positively impacted the lives of villagers.
“With the accessibility of lights at night, the women feel much safer in their homes and even children who attend the Udu District School are also able study for longer hours with the availability of the solar lanterns,” Mrs Caginitoba said.
“Solar lights are cost effective, safe and also environment friendly.”
Apart from solar electrifying 14 households in Nabouono Village, Mrs Caginitoba has installed solar electrification units in 34 houses at Yasawa Village. She has also trained three women and three youths in her village on solar electrification.
Each household pays $5 a month of which $2.50 goes to Mrs Caginitoba as her income while $2.50 goes to the bank account of the solar committee that looks after the maintenance of solar projects.
“My next assignment is to solar electrify Nukudamu Village and the ministry is waiting for solar equipment to arrive from India,” Mrs Caginitoba said.
“We have also submitted a canteen project proposal to the ministry for its assistance. Once we manage to put it together it will further boost the income generating projects of our women’s groups.”
The rollout of solar electrification project is a result of the partnership between the Ministry of Women and UN Women along with representatives from the Fiji Locally Managed Marine Areas Network (FLAMMA).
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