The long neglected villages of Machakilha and Graham Creek in the Toledo District will soon be receiving electricity. It's a basic necessity that most of the country enjoys, but not these southern villages. In fact, they also don't have water and decent road access.
But one step at a time - these villages will soon be enjoying solar electricity thanks to a collaboration between Plenty Belize and the Ministry of Rural Transformation. The project was developed by the former, while the latter will provide the materials and logistical support.
And, to top it, Plenty Belize has employed three women engineers who received training at the Barefoot College in India to install the small household solar systems.
Today we spoke with the CEO in the Ministry about the project dubbed, "Indigenous Female Solar Engineers Scaling up Solar Energy to Machakilha and Graham Creek."
The engineers are Florentina Choco, Miriam Choc and Cristina Choc. Two of the women are from Santa Elena and one from Santa Teresa. A small solar-powered water system will be installed in Machakilha as well.
Additionally, the Ministry also donated over $6,000 worth of PVC pipes and fittings of various dimensions to the Publo Viejo water board in Toledo. The materials will be used to complete the expansion of water supply to areas in the village that are currently unserved.
