Fiji Sun Online, 2nd August 2018
The Fiji Barefoot College, which is a solar electrification training centre, has been jointly supported by the Governments of India and Fiji and is the first of its kind in the Pacific.
Construction for the first Barefoot College for Women in the Pacific will start soon once plans have been finalised.
The first proposed Barefoot College will be built at Wainikoro, Nadogo in Macuata.
Minister for Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation Mereseini Vuniwaqa said the government applauded the Indian government for its $2.51 million contribution towards the project and assurance that it would continue to support projects for gender equality.
“This project will replicate Barefoot College in Rajasthan, India and is an investment to the people of the North,” she said.
“The Fiji Barefoot College, which is a solar electrification training centre has been jointly supported by the Government of India and the Government of Fiji and it will be the first of its kind in the Pacific.
“The college will train rural women in solar engineering to solar electrify rural communities.”