AFCHAM’s Solar Electrification for Rural Schools

Most people in the villages of rural areas are without electricity. So, energy provision for all remains a key problem and challenge for poor people in rural villages in Somaliland, who often have a limited choice that convert energy into useful services. As well as, students in rural areas have a problem of lighting for their studying, after sunset, it is difficult for students to read their lessons and do home works.
Currently, rural students are usinglight torches which are powered by batteries and lanterns power by gasoline.Torch lightare so expensive and their usage is imperfect since the life of batteries is short, while gasoline lanterns are seriously damage eyes. This results the decrease of student’s educational performance and quality in rural areas comparing to cities; at times, it also enforces students to stop their studying.At the same time, teachers in rural areas have a problem of light shortage to prepare their lessons at nights.
With the existence of this problem, the AfCham and BrightBeam Solar through TASCO Aid solar lamps to rural students which are powering by sun,simply, this will enable for them to extend hours after sunset and improve their studying.

 

Objectives

1. To reduce the need of lights at rural areas 2. To demonstrate rural people the potential energy of sun and stimulate them 3. To improve and increase the educational performance of rural students

Methodology for Reaching Gadhyogol and Preparations
After received these solar lamps from AfCham and BrightBeam, TASCO started to inform the government that the AfCham and BrightBeam is planning to have a long partnership with TASCO and Ministry of Education to provide solar energy lamps to the rural students in Somaliland. TASCO in collaboration with the Officials from the Ministry of Education reached students in rural areas. General Director and Regional Education Officer of the ministry Abdi Ali Jama and Hussein Mahamed Ibrahim respectively, were made efforts to work with us for reaching the needed students at villages.
The Regional Officer was contacted the principal of Gadhyogol Primary School Mr. Fuaad Abdirahman Ahmed to make ready the students to get solar lamps.
Distribution of Solar Lamps
On 04, Febr, 2017 TASCO officials with MoE and HS Officials went to Gadhyogol to hand over solar lamps to the students. After arrived at Gadhyogol School, the Head of Gadhyogol village, Community Education Committee (CECs), school principal, teachers and students were all present at the school.

Officials from TASCO and MoEHS were together hand over solar lamps to students and teachers; every one student or teacher received one solar lampand CEC members also gets the same with the present of local Media.

us or not, further more he gave advice on how to care and use the lamps. Finally, he thanks to officials from Ministry of Education especially Mrs UbahMahamed Dualle from(MoEHS) who spent more time to connect TASCO and MoEHS.

 

3. Hussein Ma’ed Ibrahim (Marodijeh Regional Officer of MoEHS)  stated that he is extremely pleased to receive this gold gift from AfCham and BrightBeamwhich is useful for rural student, if you previously use lanterns, torch light or wood fire NOW you have solar lamps which only needs the light from the sun at day. He also clarified that he tested these lamps and outlined their quality and life time.
4. Abdi Ali Jama (Director General of MoEHS) declared that its great pleasure for him to be present with you (students)here by receiving this helpful aid, he talked about the long lasting benefits of renewable energy and told them that this will replace light torch, lanterns and woodfire, he added that this solar lamps does not need a gas and money to buy batteries it only needs the light from the sun, to conclude he thanks to AfCham, BrightBeam and TASCO for their help, and also give a thanks to Mrs Ubah who worked to join TASCO and the Ministry of Education. 5. In conclusion, Head of Gadhyogol village Mr. Mukhtar Siyad Isak and Secretary of CEC were both affirmed how were needed for these solar lampsand its contribution to the improvement of studying for students.

 

 

Key Achievements
A number of essential achievements were achieved as pointed out here below.
1. Solar lamps were successfully distributed to students (98), teachers (5) and CECs (7) members at Gadhyogol. 2. The project’s first phase completed as planned and objectives were achieved 3. the student’s moral and inspiration to studying were increased

Recommendations
1. Since the existence of inadequate electricity in rural areas not only on students but also on their families, I would recommend to donate greater lamps to use their homes at nights with their families. 2. To install solar lights on school classes, thus, students can read lessons at nights and CEC and other communities use it for their meetings.

Conclusions
At the end, the impression of everybody was pleasant and students were very happy for the gift they received, every one go with one lamp to his/her home. They were practicing how to power On and Power Off lamps, we hope that they will benefit more from this project and their needs will be met.