Joaquín Torrez & Zeneida Juarez live in the heart of Matagalpa, Nicaragua in a small off-grid community called Totumblita. The 180 people that live in Totumblita make their living raising livestock and growing crops for consumption and to sell in local markets. Other residents find work out of town to support their families.
Joaquin and Zeneida are a symbol of community spirit and perseverance. Joaquín, a community leader and a member of the school’s energy committee, has dedicated his life to improving the conditions of his town. He was one of the first residents to recognize the pressing need for solar energy when GRID Alternatives visited Totumblita in 2014. He has advocated for solar energy for Totumblita for years and worked with GRID Alternatives in 2014 to bring solar to the elementary school. For years, he has personally maintained the batteries and safeguarded the solar system at the school and he is known locally as the Keeper of the Keys.
Zeneida has spent her life nurturing her family, building a home filled with warmth and care. They have been married for more than 15 years and have raised five children together. As a devoted homemaker, she has dedicated herself to looking after her loved ones, including her grandchildren, finding joy in cooking and creating a space where everyone feels safe and cared for. Now, Zeneida is stepping into a new role, as the leader of their family business. While Joaquín continues working on their farm, Zeneida is managing and overseeing the store. Their small convenience store has always been modest, but with the installation of a solar power system, she can now expand its offerings. The addition of refrigeration will allow her to sell meat and dairy products, so community members can buy refrigerated products locally.
Joaquin’s commitment to bringing solar to Totumblita is inspiring. As a community volunteer, he attended every annual solar conference GRID hosted in Nicaragua, representing his community with the vision to bring solar systems to each household in Totumblita. His relentless efforts paid off in 2021 when GRID installed 12 solar systems for 12 homes in Totumblita. In 2024, GRID installed 11 more solar systems in the community.
Although more than 10 years have passed since GRID Alternatives began working with Totumblita, the community still does not have access to the national electric grid. Homes do not have potable water, and the only road to the town is in poor condition making it impassable by vehicle during the rainy season. For lighting, residents still rely on dangerous and expensive makeshift solutions like kerosene lamps, which can cause fires and long-term health problems due to the toxic fumes they off gas. In 2024, Joaquin and Zenaida further demonstrated their commitment to improving their community by opening a small store called a “pulperia”, to offer essential food items to their neighbors. But, they would like to sell perishable goods, dairy products and other items that require cold storage so residents don’t have to walk for 40 minutes to another town to buy these items. Their store is the first of its kind in Totumblita, and it is a game-changer that saves neighbors time from having to travel long distances for essential supplies.
GRID Alternatives is raising $5,000 to bring a 2.7kW off-grid solar system with battery storage to the Torrez-Juarez family so they can power a refrigerator in their community store. The solar system will power a refrigerator so Joaquin and Zeneida can sell perishable goods, improving resilience, economic development and access to food locally. Donate to support this project.
