Solar energy for families in Santo Domingo, Panama

This report was provided by Northwestern University staff on the conclusion of Project Solar energy for families in Santo Domingo, Panama:

Overview:

On June 24, 2008, the GlobalGiving Foundation granted $4,538.00 to the Chagres Panama Solar Power Project to pursue the Foundation's charitable goals. The original grant period had an end date of January 1, 2009. Later, the end date was extended to November 31, 2010 and total funding was increased to $5233.64. 

In 2009 and 2010, the Chagres Project spent a total of $5120.84 to support our work in Chagres National Park in Panama. In 2009-2010, student members of the Chagres Project organized two trips to Panama to complete solar system installations and coordinate future work in the region. Funds from the GlobalGiving Foundation were primarily used to cover the costs of travel: $4800.84 was spent on airfare, immunizations, taxi fare in Panama, groceries, travel insurance, and tourist fees. An additional $320.00 was spent on electrical wiring for use in the March 2009 trip. These funds were used in conjunction with funds from other sources to make the success of the two trips possible.

We believe that the use of these funds advanced two of the Foundation's goals: Children, Youth, and Family Development, as well as Exchanges and Fellowships. Our installation of solar panel systems in family homes enables the residing and neighboring families to be productive after sunset, allowing children to finish homework and adults to pursue crafts that could serve as additional sources of income. During the trips, Chagres team members engaged local adults in the installation procedure, giving them the knowledge they need to maintain the systems as well as giving them a greater sense of ownership in the systems. In addition, team members befriended community leaders and children in the villages, developing mutually rewarding personal relationships that also facilitate future work. 

Unused funds totaling $112.80 will be returned to the Foundation.

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GlobalGiving will reallocate the returned funds to the GlobalGiving General Fund. The General Fund provides matching funds and grant incentives to projects active on GlobalGiving. Since 2008, every dollar spent from this fund has resulted in an average of $6 reaching a project through an incentive campaign. If you have questions about this project, please contact Mattie Ressler at mressler@globalgiving.org.