15000 families in Taita Taveta benefits from Barclays Eco Energy Entrepreneurs’ program 21st September, 2015 Wundanyi, Kenya

Over 15000 families in Taita Taveta County have benefited with renewable clean energy project from Barclays Bank of Kenya in partnership with Center for Environment Action (CEA) dubbed Barclays Eco Energy Entrepreneurs’ (BEEE’s) program.  Under the partnership, CEA has been training households in the county on the benefits of solar based products; not only to provide lighting but also as a business opportunity. 

The partnership that started two years ago has created job opportunities to over 145 youth and women in the county. The youth and women traverse the vast county selling the solar based products such as lantern lamps, solar jikos and solar phone chargers. 

The program has also seen families embrace the usage of solar lantern lamps and reduce reliance of kerosene lamps for lighting. 

Speaking in her home in Mwatate, Taita Taveta County, Glady Mwangea a beneficiary said, since her switch to solar lantern lamp, her children health has improved. 

“My last born child was unwell. When we sought medical help, we were advised that she had a lung and chest infection due to inhaling Kerosene lamp smoke. Today, she is fine and healed,” she explained. 

The small kerosene lamps that light millions of home in Kenya have a dark side; black carbon-fine particles of soot released into the atmosphere. The black carbon is a harrzad for human health and the environment, affecting air quality both indoors and out. 

Speaking while visiting the families, Barclays Head of Community Investments, Regina Gichuhi said, “As a bank we want to give youth and women a fairer chance. We have partnered with manufacturers to provide solar based products to budding start-ups at a discounted rate in order to boost job creations.” 

Ms Gichuhi added, "Energy is the golden thread that connects economic growth, social equity and a healthy environment."

In 2015, access to affordable and clean energy became the 7th of 17 new Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) that world leaders will adopt next week at a special summit at UN Headquarters. These Global Goals are intended to stimulate action over the next 15 years in areas of critical importance towards building a more equitable and sustainable world for all.

Via Agencies