Diakhaba Elementary School Solar Panel Project
Project Launch: 7-26-17
Most residents of Diakhaba, Senegal do not have access to electricity. The lack of power makes daily life challenging and complicates education, particularly the education of the village's children. Many youth are not studying because they do not have light at home. While some use candles and flashlights to do their schoolwork, this has proven to be insufficient. Academic achievement is declining. The community seeks to install solar panels so that each classroom at the local public school can have electricity. With electricity available at school, students will have a well-lit study area to complete their homework assignments in the evening. This would also introduce the possibility of having night classes for women and others who did not complete their education earlier in life, facilitating greater educational equity and opportunity for the villagers.
Project Update: 1-10-18
The solar panels have been installed and have been connected to several batteries, which has circuited electricity to the four functioning school buildings. Diakhaba Primary School now has electricity. Each building consists of two classrooms and in each classroom, there are two 11W lightbulbs -- switch controlled -- and two outlets. Outside each classroom is another lightbulb for added visiblity. The batteries are securely encased and locked in one of the classrooms. Now that the students have access to a lighted area, the school director, Mr. Ba, is starting a study program for students that will be taking their exams to enter middle school. This test is taken at the end of the school year. In addition, an English class for interested Diakhaba community members will commence.
Final Report: 3-20-18
Four school classrooms are now electrified with a fifth incomplete classroom to be finished in the coming months. Right after the solar panel installation, teachers were able to extend class sessions into the early evening as a result of the new lights. In addition, the teachers have held evening study time for the older CM2 students. In addition, the space has been utilized by community members as a space for adult education. The women's literacy class of Diakhaba has indicated that they intend to have classes in the evening at the school.
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