Mary Graham

 

Mary Graham graduated from Bucknell University and The Monterey Institute of International Studies (MIIS) with an MA in International Policy Studies. Specializing in international negotiation, she has lived and worked in over 5 countries and speaks proficient Spanish and French. Recently awarded a Fulbright scholarship, she will return to Mali, West Africa in November for the next nine months.
At MIIS, Mary analyzed governmental and international organizations’ programs focusing on micro-enterprise development and solar energy in China, India and West Africa. She was motivated by the belief that people living in remote villages are capable of developing their own businesses and becoming self-sufficient in the process of doing so.

In conjunction to her academic work, she attended a solar energy workshop in Akumal, Mexico and learned how to build a solar battery charger, oven and water heater. The course was taught by the revered pioneer in the renewable energy field, Dr. Richard Komp. After learning about Grupo Fenix, an organization that Dr. Komp helped establish in Nicaragua in which locals (including former land-mine victims) run their own micro-enterprises and generate income while using solar energy technology, she wanted to introduce the concept in Mali.

As a continuation to her academic research, she traveled to Mali during the summer of 2004 to work with Madame Loriana Dembélé, the Italian Consul and head of a non-governmental organization, Ji Duma.
The goal was clear: Find a small, motivated group of Malians to establish a micro-enterprise that locally produces solar panels and other solar technology, such as solar ovens. This enterprise would allow Malians more easily to afford energy as an imported panel may cost up to twice as much as a locally produced one, thus enabling them to bring light, running water, electricity for appliances (e.g., tools, refrigerators, televisions, etc) and most importantly, income, to their rural villages.

Mary established Small Practical Projects in hopes of facilitating micro-enterprise/finance projects that motivate locals to view themselves as capable entrepreneurs who can develop their own countries. She raised the money necessary to bring Dr. Komp and Carolina Cajina to Mali to teach the Malians to build panels, following the example of several small manufacturers already established in Haiti and Nicaragua. In March 2005, Dr. Komp and solar pump expert, Carolina Barreto Cajina and Mary Graham, utilizing the support and implementation skills of Ji Duma, facilitated the establishment of a micro-enterprise in Mali. The business, Afriq-Power, produces solar panels utilizing local materials.

Combining efforts, the group completed the installation of lights and a water pump at the Banco School in the rural village of Banco. They trained locals to build, install and maintain 35-50 watt solar modules and completed the installation in Banco as planned. Solar panels can be used to provide electricity for light and a TV (for language training with VHS videos in French and English) as well as power for a solar pump.
The long term goal is to create a domino effect wherein several local cottage industries would be established throughout Mali. These would enable Malians to generate income using solar technology (e.g., the powering of a local barber, tailor or jewelry shop; drip irrigation for crops; solar refrigerators which may lead to the selling of ice-cream or a small movie theatre in which all community members pay entrance fee to the local company).
Indigenous industries ensure that the resources needed for the systems remain in the country’s local economy. After a trip to Nicaragua in February 2005, Mary’s belief in locals’ ability to generate income using solar energy was solidified.

The Fulbright will provide Mary with funding to conduct gender analysis to assess how micro-enterprises and income generation, using solar technology, will affect the lives of the women in the villages in the following areas:
1) Household division of labor and roles
2) Health
3) Behavior
4) Financial
5) Women’s available time
6) Education
7) Solar ramifications

Mary is continuing to raise money through Practical Small Projects for Ji Duma and the newly established enterprise, Afriq-Power, in their ongoing effort to produce and implement locally made/reasonably priced panels and technology in order to electrify and develop Mali.

Mary’s evolving leadership skills and capability for understanding and relating effectively both to English-speaking people as well as people of other cultures and languages who shape public policy inspires her to utilize her practical experience in a) analyzing public policy and international issues b) assessing sustainable development projects and energy policy c) mediating (she is a certified mediator) and d) communicating ideas between official delegations and civil society. Please email her at mary@practicalsmallprojects.com if you would like to see her resume with previous and current academic and practical experience.