A Gbendembu student attaching a light fixture as part of the training on basic maintenancce

A Gbendembu student digging the Earth pit

A Gbendembu student digging the trench to lay the conduit pipe

Gbendembu students fetching water for the earth pit

James Brima Conteh (far left) from Kamabai took part in the solar training course and helped with the installation

The Gbendembu School logo lit up at night by the new solar light

The conduit pipe being laid down between buildings at the school

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Gbendembu Baptist Secondary School

  • Donors: AusAID
  • Location: Gbendemu, Sierra Leone
  • Date Completed: May 2011
  • System Size: 2070 Watts
  • Direct Beneficiaries: 1200
  • Indirect Beneficiaries: 1400

The installation at Gbendembu Secondary School in May 2011, was a great team effort from start to finish. It combined funding from AusAID, product donations from BP Solar and Outback, donations through Friends of GSS, a significant community contribution, contributions from other EFO project work and valuable labour from students and volunteers from Kamabai and Kamakwie as well as EFO staff.

Gbendembu SS is one of three Senior Secondary Schools in the Bombali district outside of Makeni. It is also one of three centres for the BECE and WASCE exams and since the installation, at exam time, around 300 students per day come to use the facilities and study at night . Jalloh and Sheka Massaquoi led the practical installation of the system which provides lighting and powers light appliances such as fans, for the secondary school including the staff quarters, a computer lab and a charging station. The charging station will provide the necessary income for maintenance of the systems and upgrades if needed.

A partner in the AusAID proposal, Deng Solar Training Company, a Ghana based organization was represented by Nicolas Opoku Kwarteng, who led a training course in basic solar installation and maintenance. James B. Conteh (JBC) and Monica Gbassay (Beshay) came from Kamabai Solar Charging Station to attend the training. JBC also spent a week with the staff of the school teaching them management of the charging station that has been incorporated into this school’s system. Other participants in the solar training course were teachers and students of Gbendembu Baptist SS, a representative from the Wesleyan Health Centre, and representatives from Kamakwie Community Centre, from the school and from the hospital.

The solar students helped to install the system as part of their practical training and were pleased to see the tangible results of their labours. Afterwards Simon, director of EFO commented, “It is not easy piecing together these projects, but well worth it when they come together!”