Swepa wins award for Barefoot Solar Project
Published on: Sunday, October 01, 2017
Kuala Lumpur: The Sabah Women Entrepreneurs and Professionals Association (Swepa) stole the limelight when it clinched the Junior Chamber International Malaysia (JCIM) Sustainable Development Award 2017 in the Affordable and Clean Energy category for its noteworthy Swepa Barefoot Solar Project 1.0 and 2.0 in Kota Marudu.Of the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs), Affordable and Clean Energy is the seventh, which is also JCI Malaysia's Goal 7 (fulfilled by Swepa).On hand to present the newly-launched prestigious award to the President of Swepa, Datuk Aminah Ambrose, was the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (Mosti) Deputy Secretary-General (Planning and Commercialisation), Kua Abun, who represented the Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Wilfred Madius Tangau, at the Sunway Putra Hotel, here. It was witnessed by JCIM 2017 National President, JCI Senator Nurul-Huda Mohd Afandi, and JCIM Sustainable Development Award 2017 Organising Chairperson, Celine Khor.
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Sharing the honour were Swepa Barefoot Solar Project Organising Chairperson Datin Jeanette Tambakau and Exco members Sitti Bahaya Damsal and Niney Chong.Prior to that, UN Coordination Specialist Juanita Joseph (of the Office of the United Nations Resident Coordinator) presented a plaque to Swepa adjudged as the finalist.Quoting the organisers, Swepa Publicity Chief Rosie Moo said it is a new JCIM Award aimed at acknowledging sustainable projects of non-governmental organisations (NGOs) or organisations which advance any of the UN Sustainable Development Goals."This year's award aims to recognise champions of change, especially women who uphold the values of the United Nations and meaningfully contribute to the goals and targets of the 2030 Agenda – a world where no one is left behind."
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When contacted, Aminah said: "I feel honoured to receive this notable award on behalf of Swepa. It is a privilege for our project to be recognised as sustainable by JCI Malaysia.
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"We are doing our best for the well-being of rural communities in Sabah. We are giving them hope for their betterment. Our years of tireless efforts, dedication and commitment towards a socio-economic project we feel so passionate about have paid dividends."What better gift to give to less privileged people than clean and green energy which is sustainable for future generations."She added that the recognition would spur the association on to achieve equal success in its forthcoming Barefoot Solar Project 3.0. "At the same time, we will pursue our dream of setting up a local Barefoot College in Sabah so that more illiterate grandmothers can be empowered and more villages can be lighted up with clean and renewable energy."So far, three such grandmothers have undergone a six-month training stint in solar power technology at the Barefoot College in Tilonia, India, under the auspices of the Government of India and Swepa. They have since lit up about 200 households in four remote villages in Kota Marudu.Meanwhile, Tambakau expressed Swepa's pride in garnering the accolade for its contribution to the UN 2030 Sustainable Development Goals."We are truly humbled by this rare recognition which deserves to be shared with the three illiterate grandmas – Tarihing Masanim, Gining Jaineh and Rusni Singkamung - who courageously undertook the intensive training course in solar power engineering – together with our many partners in service who have collaborated excellently in achieving our vision – A community where all children, youth and their families flourish and thrive.Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
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