And while San Pedranos are eagerly awaiting a return to normal water supply - in Toledo, Graham Creek, a tiny village of about 150 residents, can now enjoy another basic necessity - electricity.
We've reported previously on those three Maya women who travelled to India to learn how to operate and install solar systems. They've come a long way since then, with even more advanced training, and have managed to provide electricity to at least four villages in the south, including the remote Graham Creek and Machakilha.
And the residents are more than grateful - especially the students who now have light to do their homework. And just in time - since, they're back in classes for hybrid learning.
Today, our news team travelled to the southernmost village with representatives from all partners involved in this venture, including Plenty Belize, GEF Small Grants Program, and the Ministry of Rural Transformation - along with reps from the Ministry of Education, including the CEO. And at the inauguration ceremony for the solar powered systems, the chairman of Plenty Belize reminisced on how this project came to be, while one of the engineers spoke about their determination to help others in need. And CEO Dian Maheia even had a surprise for the students. Here is a snippet of the journey there and the ceremony:
Augustin Lara - Chairman, Plenty Belize
"With 3 indigenous female solar engineers who are present here with us today, Ms. Florentino Choco, Ms. Christina Choc and Ms. Miriam Choc who were trained in India, far place from here. Planning and agreeing what to do took quite some time thanks to UNDP the GEF small branch program for all that had been achieved here. We put together a 3 part project for Graham Creek and for capacity building of the 3 solar engineers and today we're here to celebrate the success of the part that occurred right here in Graham Creek. The installation of the solar power in some 25 homes and primary school along with the support of the creation and training of community power board to sustain them into the future."
Miriam Choc - Solar Engineer
"We have been here for 10 days now to train the solar power board about the basic of solar and the maintenance and also the financing so they can be able to manage to maintain their solar system. We know that getting here is rough because of the road, it's very muddy and it took us 3 hours to reach here but that did not stop us from coming here and we know it's Women's month and we are doing training for the women here in Graham Creek and we did also a women's training for the community because we want out women to be empowered."
Dian Maheia - CEO, Ministry of Education
"The world of education is not easy and it absolutely requires a communities commitment, the same way the community has banded together now to install this very important solar system, what we appreciate is that we know that there is going to be continued commitment and support now for the school and today I really am pleased I'm able to share with you that we brought with us through that walk 5 laptops for Graham Creek government school."
Our team is still on the road and the full story will air in tomorrow's newscast.
