Solar Mamas

Maria is from Columbia and is one of 40 international solar mamas visiting Barefoot. They arrived March 15^th, 2016 and will complete their training on September 14^th, 2016. She is in the 16^th class of the solar workshop.

Maria spends her free time learning English and misses meat and chicken. She is still trying to get accustomed to the spicy food.

The women are flown in from all over the world to train at Barefoot to become solar engineers in a mere 6 months with the hope of returning to their village and solar electrifying it with lamps that the college provides.

While at Barefoot we also were able to meet and talk with two spirited women from Fiji who shared a little bit about their experience at Barefoot and what they each have gained so far. Below is a short snippet from our interview with them. Our words are italicized. The rest is Sooovata and Sirlio’s responses.

Where are you from?

We’re from Fiji, that’s in the Pacific Ocean. It’s just a small country. It’s a friendly island.

So to make it easy, my husband is Silita’s bigger brother!

So we are so, so lucky that we were chosen from our families to come right to India. It’s a long way. So we are so lucky, so blessed. From many other women, and we are chosen.

First time flying in airplane!

Did you feel your stomach?

Oh yes, yes!

I laughed, I cried. I only dreamed about that, but now my dreams come true!

What has been your favorite experience?

Oh! Day by day. Day by day I experience a lot of things around like relationships with them [other solar mamas]. They’re so friendly. And we’re equal. Teachers and the students, everyone. It’s like putting yourself down to earth.

So we’ve been exposed, like most of them are disabled. Like if you go to rooms and all, you see them there sewing, making handicrafts at this college. But in our countries, disabled people they are kept all at home, or special schools, they are left there. No one cares. But at Barefoot College, it’s something else. It’s amazing! It’s a big experience. I learn more and more, day by day. It’s a source of blessing to me too. So when I go back, I share. It’s the only thing that I can take back from Barefoot College. The love they taught, yeah, I go for love.