Solar power for women’s cooperative in Tyre area

Greenpeace environmental organization launched on Wednesday a solar power supply project to help the women’s cooperative in the southern town of Deir Qanoon al Nahr-Ras, Tyre, increase production while rationalizing the use of electricity and diesel. The said initiative targeting Mawassim el Dai’aa coop run by women gives female workers more time with their families. During the launch event, campaign officer, Julian Greisati, disclosed that the project was funded collectively, at USD 12,000, as part of Greenpeace Mediterranean- Arab World’s ongoing work in the fields of energy and climate in the region. The chief of the Women’s Cooperative Association in Deir Qanoon al Nahr, Daad Ismail, pointed out that there were only 12 women working with minimal resources when the coop opened in 2005, but that now their number has doubled. She underlined the shortages of electric power faced by the cooperative and resulting in extra production cost. Sometime, women had to work manually to run the machinery, which meant a drain of time and effort and lower production, Ismail said. “Today we celebrate a progressive change that is projected to continue and reflect positively on our lives and on our community,” Ismail added, noting that the project shall contribute to a sustainable production and extra profits, while creating new job prospects for more women. (Al Mustaqbal, L’Orient Le Jour, March 10, 2017)