Inggai Suging is the epitome of a strong woman, who took a brave step to get out of her comfort zone and learn about solar power in India.
Hailing from Kampung Paus in the highland district of Ranau, the 55-year-old farmer speaks only Bahasa Malaysia and Dusun languages. Her highest education background was Standard Six.
In September 2019, she joined about 60 women across the globe to learn about solar power at Barefoot College in Tilonia, Rajasthan. The college is a voluntary organisation that trains poor women to be solar engineers so they can help bring electricity to their village.
It partners with Sabah Women Entrepreneurs and Professionals Association (SWEPA) to identify local women, especially grandmothers, in rural Sabah to be trained as a solar engineer under SWEPA’s Barefoot Solar Project.
“When I first registered for the course, I didn’t know what it was about. I only knew we were selected and encouraged to register by the SWEPA. There were initially eight of us (registering).
“However, only I went to India alone because the other women from my kampung decided to pull out,” says Suging.
The grandmother of 22 becomes the fourth woman from Sabah to represent SWEPA’s Barefoot Solar Project since it was initiated. Three other women from rural villages in Kota Marudu district were trained in 2015 and 2017.
Suging spent six months in India, acquiring knowledge about solar power systems, studying each component, and learning how to install them.
“It was of course difficult because the teaching was conducted in English and the Indian languages. I don’t speak both, so I learnt and communicated using hand signals.
“It was interesting as I got to make friends with women from other parts of the world. Some were just like me, so we were basically duck and chicken. Nonetheless, we learnt and supported each other,” she smiles.
Suging says the women were in India for a common reason, that their village has no electricity.
With the experience gained, they are able to bring the knowledge home and to share expertise with others in their village.
She notes several villages, including Kampung Paus, in Ranau are still relying on kerosene lamps and candles to get their light sources when nightfall comes.
The mother of 12 says the villagers have brought up their plight to the relevant authorities countless time but until today they have yet to enjoy electricity supply.
“Every night, villagers will depend on oil lamps or candles if they want light. This has been going on for many years and this is how we live by every night. Our children and grandchildren are forced to study in dim light.
“I have many times given birth on my own at home, and I even delivered baby in the dark. It’s hard to get help from neighbours because most houses in villages like mine are scattered,” she says, adding most villages are located far from the town area and have poor road connectivity.
Upon returning from India in February, Suging hopes to teach other women about solar power in her village, saying they have ordered necessary parts from India for the purpose of solar power installation.
On 8 March 2020, Suging was among five individuals awarded with special recognition for their contribution during the state-level Women Day Celebration held at the Sabah International Convention Centre in Kota Kinabalu.
She received the Excellent Woman Award from Chief Minister Mohd Shafie Apdal and wife Shuryani Shuaib.
About the author
Avila Geraldine is the founder of The Turos. She is also a journalist at New Straits Times and a content creator. She travels in her spare time and writes about people, culture, travel, environment, and whatnot.