Ecuador

Lighting Up The Uwintz Shuar Community

This project consisted of the installation of photovoltaic systems for 9 families of the Uwints community.  The general objective of the project was to promote the generalized use of renewable energy, conservation, improve the technical abilities of 20 Shuar technicians who received training in previous projects and in general to improve the quality of life of the families, particularly the women and the children.

This project was part of an ongoing process in the Condor Mountain Range in which Fundacion Natura was supporting the development of capacity building with the Shuar Associations, creating a more adequate governance system over indigenous territory, resource management, cultural strengthening, planning and regulations for the proper use of natural resources and clean technology.

The Shuar communities are two to three days by foot from the nearest road or village and the communities live separate from the concept of markets or capital.  They have no direct access to health or public services and have very limited education services.  The families of the communities depend on the forest for approximately 80% of their livelihood. As such, photovoltaic systems are the most adequate from an economic, installation and maintenance perspective and they have little or no negative social or environmental impacts.

The needs of the women in these communities are electricity for cooking, providing child care at night, the development of handicrafts, and for children it offers the opportunity for education. Photovoltaic illumination will also provide the community lighting for community meetings and educational programs.