Skoll Entrepreneur(s): Bunker Roy
Change(s) Addressed: Environmental Sustainability, Economic & Social Equity

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DESCRIPTION:

Bunker Roy founded Social Work and Research Centre (now known as Barefoot College) in 1972, emulating the work style and lifestyle of Mahatma Gandhi. The college focuses on demystification of technology and placing control and ownership in the hands of very poor rural communities. It is the only college in rural India that is fully solar electrified. Its constituency includes people who have been rejected by society or have little or no formal educational qualifications.

KEY ACCOMPLISHMENTS AS OF 2010

• Climate change: 470 (238 women) semi-literate barefoot solar engineers installed over 900 kilowatts to solar electrify over 19,000 houses in 750 villages in 19 countries saving about 100,000 litres of kerosene every month from polluting the environment.
• Drinking Water: Since 1986, the College has replicated the Barefoot approach of collecting rainwater in 901 remote villages of India and Afghanistan in Asia, and Ethiopia, Mauritania, Senegal, The Gambia, Sierra Leone and Mali in Africa.
• The collective efforts of over 300 Barefoot Water Engineers have made it possible to provide water for drinking and sanitation to 2.65 million rural children. 1,513 rainwater harvesting structures have been built in rural schools and community centres, with the total capacity of collecting 96.65 million litres of rainwater every year.
• http://www.flickr.com/photos/barefootcollege/4894574964/