Solar power for Kamakwie Secondary School
Kamakwie – Sierra Leone, February 2010
This project is almost certainly to date the largest solar installation project ever implemented in Sierra Leone. It involved in the installation of a 1530W solar to the Secondary School in Kamakwie in Sierra Leone’s northern district of Bombali. The system is currently providing lighting for night classes and EFO is currently working to have computers and internet installed at the site. Four students, two from the Government Technical Institute and two from the National Power Authority Training Centre, worked with EFO on the installation, giving them valuable field experience to compliment their studies. The installation was made a reality due to the support of the organization: Friends of Sierra Leone, most notably due to the tireless work of Leslie and Jack McKeon. Click here to see photos and updates about the project on facebook
Solar power for Orphans in Kamawkie
Kamakwie – Sierra Leone, November to December 2009
This project involved the installation of solar power in an orphanage in the remote village of Kamakwie in the north of Sierra Leone. The installation provided electricity for lighting, a computer lab and a cinema. The children can now use this technology as a window for better opportunities, accessing widespread learning tools from the internet, while enjoying bright and safe lighting at night (the orphanage had previously burnt downed due to a spilt candle). There are already ideas for further expansion of the project, such as the creation of an after school internet cafe that will help to generate income for the children’s village. The project was implemented in partnership with OrphFund and Free Collective with support from the Sierra Leonean community of Victoria, Australia. Click here to see photos and updates about the project on facebook.
Solar power for microfinance
Makeni – Sierra Leone, October 2009
This project involved the installation of solar power in two microfinance offices in the northern Sierra Leone city of Makeni. The installations provided electricity to power Information and Communication Technology Infrastructure in the offices of HOPE Micro and the Association for Rural Development (ARD), two Sierra Leone based microfinance institutions. Microfinance is a local-scale financing system that gives loans to the poor (who do not hold enough assets to qualify for traditional bank loans), giving them the necessary financial support to develop business opportunities and local entrepreneurship, and in turn helping to generate local income and to expand livelihood opportunities. Former students from Freetown’s Government Technical Institute were in involved in all aspects of the installation, giving them valuable and practical field experience. The project was implemented in partnership with the US based organization Inveneo. Click here to see photos and updates about the project on facebook.
EFO in the Community
Lakka – Sierra Leone, Ongoing
EFO’s head office is located in the village of Lakka, 15 kilometers south of Sierra Leone’s capital city Freetown. EFO therefore is not only active in implementing project in its target districts in the north of Sierra Leone, but also in communities that neighbor its office. One example is EFO’s work with local Lakka entrepreneur Foday Koroma, who runs a small solar charging station and shop from his house. With the solar system he is charging phones, portable DVD players, small batteries and other electrical items from the village. The electricity also allows for extended shop hours and power for his family to enjoy their radio, television and lighting. Kerosene and candles are a thing of the past and the additional revenue is opening further business opportunities for him and his family.