As we reported last month, following rapid (SSS -supported) progress made by the senior secondary school in Sohm, the Gambian government has fast-forwarded the introduction of mains electricity to the school.
No longer dependent on expensively-fueled generator power, the school will now have electricity available at the click of a switch, to power up the ICT and craft workshops, as well as the domestic science room (see a future post for exciting details about this).
And the mains meter is installed in the senior school: let there be light! |
Within two hours: electricity goes live and Little Heath-donated PCs start to get fired up. No stopping them in Sohm, now! |
Power cables, however, run to within 20 meters of the Lower Basic school - frustratingly close. Each year Sohm Schools Support asks each of the two Sohm school heads and staff for their priorities for our expenditure in the forthcoming year. We have tried to spend money on these projects - and report back to you, the donors, on what we have achieved, regularly.
So near, and yet so far. Mains electricity within 20 metres of the Lower Basic school |
We asked for very detailed costings, and within a week were provided with a three page schedule of requirements, equipment, cables, switches, meters, , labour costs etc. We agreed, though funds are tight. This amounts to by far the largest single "grant" we have ever offered, coming to almost £900.
Handing over £900 - which will bring electricity to 15 teaching rooms, 15 teachers' rooms and transform lives |
This will be the first time either staff or schools have had ANY electricity.
To say they are excited and delighted would be an understatement. Plans are already afoot for some simple ICT lessons (with a couple of the Little-Heath donated PCs) and evening (post dusk) openings of the school library, which has recently be re-organised by the new head.
We had originally planned to assist both schools in a small way on the electricity front by supplying a couple of small, domestic solar power kits we have become aware of. They are from China, simple to use and can fire up three power outlets, for less than £50 a kit. But, what to do with them, now?
The senior school science teacher was absolutely delighted to take one of them, to be used as a teaching aid. Solar power has huge potential for a country with so much sun as the Gambia, so getting the ideas into the classroom early could have massive long term educational and subsequent life-style benefits for the future of the village.
Science teacher; hardly able to contain his delight at having a solar panel as a teaching aid. |
A mobile phone charged, and two lights lit - all from a £50 kit |
Homework, powered by a solar light for the Janko children, all from a £50 (and no running costs) kit |