Empowering Indonesians
The 2016 winner of Zayed Future Energy Prize in the non-profit category, Indonesia based non-profit organisation Kopernik won the 2016 Zayed Future Energy Prize for its Wonder Women Initiative that empowers women to become micro-entrepreneurs by selling solar power products in their communities.
Ibu Bekti is one of those wonder women who have changed the lives of many women around her, and thus carry the legacy of Sheikh Zayed to remote communities in Indonesia. “I saw how these technologies could be an enabling factor for women to become independent – to be able to save money and energy, and to live a healthier life,” she said.
A trained solar light technician, Bekti has till day helped in the distribution of more than 300 clean energy technologies to small communities on Flores Island in Indonesia. She is also helping farmers who struggle with debt incurred from buying kerosene. Bekti said she trades her solar lamps in exchange of farmers’ produce and has started a café in her native village that teaches people healthy eating.
On the receiving the award, co-founder of Kopernik, Ewa Wojkowska said the prize money would help them further expand their work in isolated communities in Indonesia. “We work with rural household, clinics, hospitals and schools. It is about empowering women through training and employment.
“As of October 2015, Kopernik has distributed more than 60,000 units of clean energy technologies including solar lights, solar home systems, water filters, and clean cooking stoves, reaching over 300,000 people.
“The Wonder Women programme provides the technologies and necessary training such as account keeping, marketing and sales to the women so they are empowered to run their own businesses selling the products to their peer, family and community networks,” said Wojkowska.
I saw how these technologies could be an enabling factor for women to become independent... and to live a healthier life.” Ibu Bekti, one of those wonder women