RUWDEC is registered as an NGO in Cameroon and works mainly in the south west of the country. It is led by the inspirational Tchaptcheut Yonga Nelly Shella who won the Commonwealth Youth Worker Award in 2014 and a Nelson Mandela Fellowship in 2016.

RUWDEC has created an innovative solar energy programme that brings electricity to villages in Cameroon. It relies on older women (Grandmas) who train for 6 months to become solar engineers and then install equipment on the roofs of houses. Often villages come together to access a loan to raise funds for a solar panel.

Only 48% of the population of Cameroon have access to electricity and the impact of this initiative means that children can do homework at night and avoid dangerous kerosene lamps; people can charge a mobile phone; run a fridge and keep medicines or develop small businesses.

The 6-month training programme itself is fully funded through a partnership between the UNDP small grant program, the Indian Government and Barefoot College, Tilonia India. This includes travel and accommodation for the women and RUWDEC has so far supported 4 women to take part. When they return they are able to train others.

What's preventing more people getting trained is a very practical issue. The women do not have the one hundred thousand Franc CFA (equivalent to £136 per person) to pay for travel to the capital Yaounde, accommodation costs while they are there, the passport fees and costs of compiling all the necessary documentation in order for a successful application.

Every year RUWDEC has a mandate to access this training and our aim is to raise funds so four women can travel and learn together in March 2019.

Learn more about the impact of the training and the experience of the Grandmas who go to India.