In Cameroon where only 13% of the rural population have access to electricity, Hope For a Better Future, a development non-governmental organization is emerging as a beacon of hope. Carbon dioxide merely constitutes 0.04% of the atmospheric gases. As carbon dioxide is a greenhouse gas, a slight increase in its % composition can also be devastating.
Over the past years, H4BF has trained OVER 50 young women entrepreneurs to design, install and maintain stand-alone renewable energy systems and accessories in Ako, Misaje sub divisions in the North West region of cameroon.
“Thanks to the panels, we now have access to energy and it has given us stability. It has allowed us to grow”, Ngabir Joyceline noted.
Under the supervision of an engineer, the group of previously trained women is now charged with sharing their knowledge with their peers. They have become “trainer trainees”, and in the process are breaking local stereotypes and promoting gender equality in a country where just a few percentage of female population has access to education.
The group has installed 40 panels entirely by themselves, allowing H4BF to expand its activities and providing new sources of income to vulnerable young women in the area.
Ngabir Joyceline, is one of them. After finishing the training at the H4BF center, she fell in love with cables, switches and voltages, and decided to further her education at National Polytechnic University Institute, Bamenda.
However, for Ngabir Joyceline still comes back from time to time to teach other young women about the basics of renewable energy.
“I would like to see many girls like me studying to become an electrician. I discovered this is not only for men and they should too!” she tells us proudly.
In Cameroon, a majority of the population live in rural areas, yet only few have access to electricity.
In such a dark scenario, H4BF has managed to inspire the community about the use of renewable energies.
Each solar lantern will save roughly 0.75 tonnes of CO2 over the course of its 5-year lifespan by replacing about 300 gallons of kerosene (CO2). So far, H4BF businesses have helped offset 1,282 tonnes of CO2 emissions through the sale of solar products. H4BF businesses are expected to reduce CO2 emissions by more than 5 million tonnes over the next ten years, while also replacing 330 million gallons of kerosene use. The solar lanterns also eliminate the black soot produced by kerosene, which has been linked to global climate change by scientific data. Simultaneously, solar phone charging methods eliminate the usage of non-recyclable, low-cost batteries. Solar-powered products also help to enhance local air quality, which is good for people’s health. Clean energy boosts the economy and public health while also enhancing the local environment, mitigating climate change, and accelerating Africa’s transition to a green future.