By Elizabeth Raiford | Director, Friends Unite
Thanks to your generous contributions, we are thrilled to announce that solar panels are currently being installed at the Anjana Vidyakendra school in rural India to provide a continuous power source for interior lighting as well as 20 computers that had previously been donated to the school.
An email we received from our friend and partner, Dr. Channa Raju, the founder of Brahmi, the NGO in India which operates the school, says it best:
“Finally. 13 computers were switched on and used for five hours continuously. We will add additional systems in the next days. This is the first time in 10 years we have had uninterrupted use of computers. THANK YOU FRIENDS UNITE. Thank you SELCO.”
And THANK YOU to all of our friends and supporters through Global Giving!
The picture you see of the Anjana school children using computers is a result of your support. With your help, these children have just greatly expanded their access to educational materials readily available in electronic format. Just as important, they will grow up being familiar with technology that is vital to succeeding in today’s rapidly evolving global environment. Through your help, we have been able to proceed with phase two of this project, and installation of the panels is nearly complete!
While raising funds for this important project has been our primary goal in the Global Giving challenge, the overriding mission of Friends Unite is to build lasting connections between people at home and around the world. One major global connection has already resulted from your efforts. A local newspaper in Raleigh, North Carolina (USA) heard about the project and published a story that was read by a local Girls Scout Day Camp leader. One of the troop’s goals this year was to focus on an international theme of “Around the World in Five Days”. This leader reached out to Friends Unite, and as a result, over 100 girls in Raleigh are now connecting with 300+ students on the other side of the Earth. These children now have the opportunity and the technology to connect, form new friendships and learn from one another.
Through the Global Giving challenge, as well as additional private contributions, Friends Unite has raised approximately $6,500 toward what is needed to fully implement the Solar Project at the Anjana school. While our efforts to date have enabled Brahmi and SELCO Solar India to move forward with the solar panels at the school, we need to raise an additional $3,500 to fully implement the plan, which includes installation of outdoor lighting to provide a more secure and accessible environment for the students and their teachers. Please continue to spread the word about this important project so that we can see it through to completion. This is just the beginning for these bright young minds. We look forward to watching them grow through these enhanced opportunities, and we hope that you will stay in touch with Friends Unite through this important project and beyond.
Thank you for caring enough about the education of the world’s future leaders to give them the tools they need to succeed. This project would not be where it is without your conviction, your contribution, and your continued interest.
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