Navajo Reservation Projects

In the past one year, we visited 3 sites in 2 reservations (Navajo Mountain Reservation and Alamo Reservation). We have often seen solutions that have been provided to these families as not being the most suitable. That is mostly since many of these solutions are applied without an intimate communication with the potential recipients of these solutions. The intent is respectable but for a solution to be impactful, it is important the true nature and extent of the problem is identified and understood.

During our visit, we learned how difficult it is to even reach some of these families. Some of them are so remotely located that the only way to reach them is using an off-road vehicle driving over dry riverbeds and being hopeful that it does not begin to rain. Some locations were difficult to reach even with off-road vehicles due to the terrain and complete absence of roads.

In some of the locations we visited, the nearest hospitals or medical facilities are tens of mile away and location inaccessible by any emergency vehicle such as an ambulance in case of an emergency. The nearest electrical grid lines too are several miles away making it very expensive for utility companies to provide reliable electricity. Furthermore, there is little to no scope of employment locally.

Our goal is to make resilient off-grid energy available to these families as the first step towards providing them with means to improve their living standards. Our current efforts are aimed at meeting these families, talking to them and identifying their true needs and addressing them without using a one-size fits all approach. Access to energy will also enable better education for the younger members of the society as well as provide means for a healthier lifestyle.