By K. R. McDonald | Volunteer Helper
TRIP THE LIGHT FANTASTIC
In our villages in Burkina Faso, having light for the first time is incredible!! Having light powered by the sun makes it sustainable too. The 604 girls in Kamsi village would like to thank you personally. Wendemi, a 9 year old third grader, made us promise to invite you to visit: “Please tell them we are very, very happy!”
Once completing the rainwater catchment basin in Kamsi, the Give Water Give Live program worked closely with the residents to install solar panels for the primary school and solar kits for lighting throughout the village. A total of six school classrooms now have four LED lamps each. The two school buildings each have one (1) LED lamp illuminating the front of the buildings. And the school principal’s office has 4 lamps with a converter, allowing power for a computer and course preparation. Victorine O says excitedly: “Principal S had classes to teach us about solar power and how the sun is stored in the batteries in order to have light after the sun sets. We were also taught how to protect and care for the lights and equipment.”
Elizabeth Y talks about the new Solar Kits installed throughout the village. “This compound was one of thirty to receive a solar kit, which is a package of a solar panel, regulator battery, and lamps.” She continues: “Sang Taaba, the Women’s Cooperative, selected thirty compounds scattered equally around the village. Choices were based on number of children in the family and proximity to others. The lights were put on the exterior of each building so that children from many families could gather and study, read and write. It truly is wonderful.”
Your generous support made this possible.
Details of the solar equipment device installed in Kamsi A elementary school and the Solar Kits include: 30 LED lamps; 24 LED strips of 10w / 12v; 6 regulators of 9w / 220v; 10 modules of 120w / 12w; 2 Regulators of 12V / 50A; 4 Batteries of 120Ah / 12V; Supports for batteries; an inverter of 500VA / 12V; Cable H07 RN-F flexible 2X 2.5mm2; Cable H07 RN-F 1X 4mm2; and Cable H07 RN-F 1X 16mm2.
Installations of the solar panels at Kamsi A School took two days. The training sessions were conducted at the school for people on the care and maintenance of solar equipment. Teachers also held classes for all the children about solar power and energy.
Yaméogo W, a 12 year old sixth grade student, says eagerly: "I am fortunate now we have light at night so I can do my reading and learn to write. It is like a dream." Please see the photos of our wonderful children enjoying the new light.
Also, please know your help is vital. From September 5 to October 6, 2016, Global Giving is having a special matching fund opportunity that can help alternative energy-use programs like ours. There is a 50% match of any donations made during this period. We hope you will consider making another contribution at that time. Your assistance is allowing us to achieve our goal of more light for the school girls in Burkina Faso. Thanks so very much.
Remember September 5!
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