Africa’s women, mothers and young girls with whom we have worked in over 800 communities across 10 African countries have not only inspired me but taught me my most impactful lessons of life, says Sivan Ya’ari, Founder and CEO of Innovation: Africa.
On a path that has given us the opportunity to provide nearly 4 million people in rural villages with sustainable access to clean water and renewable energy solutions, it has been an honour to connect with women who not only work tirelessly but have shown themselves to be loving, kind, creative and entrepreneurial as they seek to find solutions and the best in every situation.
There is power in the sheer entrepreneurial determination of Africa’s women.
As I grew up as what I considered to be a poor girl in Israel and throughout my travels during my working life, nowhere has this rigour for resolution been clearer than on this continent. It has been borne out of some of the world’s most pressing social needs, as one of the biggest developmental challenges we face is the fact that over 600 million people in sub-Saharan Africa live without access to electricity and 400 million lack access to safe and clean water.
Experience in addressing this has taught me that there are far too many communities in need. As social entrepreneurs with access to reliable technologies, we can effect sustainable change and we can do this fast. Though we must not forget that the power to deliver in ways that make the real difference need us to empower the people whose lives are being changed.
At Innovation: Africa, we truly believe in the power to empower. We have done this through the use of solar energy, powering schools and medical centres, and enabling the leaders of tomorrow to access the educational opportunities they deserve.
Crucially, Innovation: Africa Installs solar water pumping systems to provide clean water throughout rural African villages.
At the highest level, water will improve the health of the villagers and alleviate pressure on the women who are no longer required to travel significant distances to collect water from contaminated sources and can now use their time more effectively. In turn, economic stability begins to take place, as businesses are established, including brick-making and agricultural programs as they are able to grow vegetables and sell the surplus in local markets.
Empowering women through each project has been an important focus for us. and it Is an honour to play a part In enabling women and young girls to break the cycle of poverty.
A second lesson gained from working alongside Africa’s sage women is that they plough pragmatism into their days. Work conducted by women really works as it is often the mothers and daughters who know the dynamics behind the problem and how to put the solution in place. One of my approaches in life has been to try not to get stuck on the “Why?” and rather to focus on working towards the “How?” and to implement solutions that will truly address the issue.
Women’s intuition is also a driver of consistent improvement as it is regularly our grandmothers, mothers and sisters who encourage us to take our next step. This is a dynamic, seen time and again, as women are not afraid to fail forward. One of the most groundbreaking lessons shared with me has been that sometimes good is not good enough.
Honestly, if good had been good enough in the story of our NGO, we would not have found the solution to the key challenge facing so many villagers. After installing solar energy at a school in Tanzania, I realised that the power supply had not addressed the root problem. Children were still not attendingschool because they were getting sick as a result of consuming water from contaminated sources. We then understand that the core Issue Is the lack of access to clean water across rural African villages, which had to be addressed.
There is hope for a strong tomorrow if you consider what we have been taught by so many people.
Firstly, we can no longer ignore people’s suffering. We have the technology to eradicate poverty. It is simple and inexpensive, and we need to stand up and take initiative. What is more is that it is in our hands to put sustainable living into the hands of strong women who will rapidly and responsibly transform community systems.
What is more is that absolutely everyone is invited. This is a journey that asks us all to simply start, to take the first step and to not overcomplicate solutions. It asks that we tap into technology that exists to make it work for the future of the people whose lives it needs to help.
We know what must be done. We just need to get it done.
About Sivan Ya’ari
Acknowledged as one of Forbes top social entrepreneurs in the world, Sivan Ya’ari managed to impact the lives of nearly 4 million people living in rural African villages with the help of simple and yet transformative solution – solar energy. Her passion for helping communities move from lives of poverty into self-sustaining living has inspired provision of renewable power to over 800 schools and medical centers, and has pumped clean water across 10 African countries. Her Non-Profit Organisation known as Innovation: Africa aims to complete an additional 1,200 solar and water Installations by the end of 2026 and Invites you to be part of this mission. To learn more, visit www.Innoafrica.org
