SolarAid visits Bolivia

Steve and I recently visited our partners in Tarija, Bolivia. During our time there we met with Bolivian entrepreneur Roberto Cortez, Alvaro Bazán from micro-finance organisation EMPRENDER and representatives of Nativa - a large environmental organisation based in the Chaco region of Bolivia. Nativa had heard about our programme through discussions with Alvaro and were keen to discuss potential partnership work. Nativa work in rural communities, many of which have little or no access to light or electricity, needless to say they were eager to have a look at our microsolar kit.

Roberto Cortez at the Mercado Campesino market in Tarija.

One of the highlights of the visit was spending time with our enterpreneur Roberto, who has travelled extensively in the region to ascertain the demand for microsolar. Roberto took us to Mercado Campesino, a large market on the outskirts of Tarija, where he is interested in renting a small kiosk to sell products from. It was fantastic to see Roberto's natural entrepreneurial skills in action; by the time we left he had already caught the interest of three potential buyers.

Álvaro Bazán of EMPRENDER with Steve Woodward and Ellie Higham of SolarAid.

Meetings with EMPRENDER were extremely productive, we assessed the project to date and made plans to work together in the future. Both Alvaro and Roberto were enthusiastic about our microsolar product and its potential to help communities and the local environment in Bolivia. We were informed that in one year over 500,000 single-use batteries are bought and discarded in the immediate area surrounding the small city of Tarija. In South America single-use batteries are the most common energy provider and have serious environmental consequences. Batteries are also extremely costly for families on low incomes. SolarAid's microsolar units combat these issues by providing sustainable and affordable energy sources.

Ellie