(Jun. 25) – Enel Green Power and the Barefoot College will provide electricity to 1,000 homes in Guatemala, Chile, Peru, Brazil and Colombia: an example of what companies can do to support development and growth in rural areas. The partnership between EGP and the Barefoot College is “the first agreement signed by Barefoot with a private partner”, as stated by Bunker Roy, founder of the College, who was included in 2010 by Time magazine among the hundred most influent people in the world, and who follows the teachings of his fellow countryman Mahatma Gandhi in terms of life style and work. A feature that characterizes the activity of the Barefoot College, which today includes three hundred women between 35 and 60 years old, thanks to whom more than 30 thousand homes in 25 countries will have access to electricity. Indeed, within six months these women will become “Barefoot solar engineers”, and will be able to install, repair and maintain solar photovoltaic panels and the connected equipment. Between 2012 and 2013, the cooperation between EGP and the Barefoot College will allow to train about 20 women and electrify 1,000 homes in Guatemala, Chile, Peru, Brazil and Colombia. The partnership with the Barefoot College is consistent with Enel’s policy of responsibility and engagement to improve life conditions of deprived communities, working jointly with the governments of the countries where the Group is present to fill the energy divide due to which 1.4 billion people in the world still lack access to electricity. (red)
