solar lantern project 4
TRANSCRIPT
SOLAR LANTERN PROJECT SOLAR LANTERN PROJECT FOR RURAL RWANDAFOR RURAL RWANDA
BYSTUDENTS OF FAWE GIRLS’ SCHOOL,
GISOZI- KIGALI, RWANDA
1.MWIZERWA ANNET2.RUTAYISIRE ANNET3.KARAKE FRANCOISE4.KANOHELI RUTH5.MUHONGERWA FRIDER
INTRODUCTIONINTRODUCTION
In many parts of Rwanda, people do not have access to
electricity, only about 16 % of the population has access to
electricity ( EWSA, 2012).
Many impoverished rural families must rely on kerosene lamps
and candles as their only source of light.
candle-in-the-dark.jpg
In the evening after 6:00 pm, many students in rural areas
have to use kerosene lamps for study purpose.
The cost of kerosene is increasing every year and families in
rural areas typically spend an average of $10 per month for
kerosene.
FAWE Girls’ school is committed to offer communities a safer,
more sustainable lighting source for their homes and micro
enterprises.
PROJECT BACKGROUND PROJECT BACKGROUND
Solar lantern project is part of the FAWE GIRLS’
SCHOOL’s effort to help the rural communities in
Rwanda to develop affordable access to renewable
energy.
The need for solar lantern project was identified by
FAWE girls after visiting the rural schools in Ngoma
district , in rural Rwanda.
Many villages have no access to electricity and is fully
reliant on kerosene lamps and candle sticks as the only
source of fuel and lighting.
Our Proposed solar lantern Our Proposed solar lantern designdesign
Our proposed solar lantern to the potential manufacturers will
have three main components: a solar panel, battery and a
white light-emitting diode. SOLAR LANTERN.jpg
We aim to produce a lantern, which is about 40 percent
cheaper than the average market value. Most solar lanterns
available use florescent tubes, which draw too much power,
We are to use a white light-emitting diode because it's
cheaper, lasts longer and is brighter. We are to choose the
cheapest solar panels and also for batteries, which is a sealed
lead-acid battery and will be similar to a car battery. We are
to use a battery that contains lead to conserve the
environment. The solar kit of 50-100 lanterns will have one
charging system. solar lantern charging unit.jpg
PROBLEM STATEMENTPROBLEM STATEMENT
Only 16% of the entire population in Rwanda have access to
electricity.
In a country where over 7million people are poor, living with less
than $2 per day, they opt to kerosene lamps for lighting.
Kerosene lamps which emit smoke, fumes and this causes
eyestrain because kerosene is a very poor source of illumination.
The carbon dioxide emitted cause global warming.
kerosene lamp.jpg
The majority of households in these villages are poorly ventilated,
leaving the occupants exposed to harmful particles emitted by the
lamps and it also causes fire hazards.
Kerosene lanterns are expensive to maintain. Kerosene use
consumes a significant proportion of a finite household budget per
year.
Impoverished women make up to 52% of rwanda population and
have very low-income even though they labour more than other
household members.
PROJECT JUSTIFICATIONPROJECT JUSTIFICATION
When this project is implemented in rural areas of Rwanda, it
will benefit the communities in the following ways:
The cumulative savings from kerosene lamp replacements,
charging of lanterns will significantly boost the income of the
families.
Increased time for studies and home businesses by 4-8 hours
every day.
Reduction in toxic fumes and carbon dioxide emissions from
the kerosene lamps.
Increased safety for the house holds. Reduced fire hazard
indoors.
Employment to the impoverished women and this will uplift
the standards of living of the rural families.
PROJECT OBJECTIVESPROJECT OBJECTIVES
Main objective:The overall objective of this project is to replace the kerosene
lanterns, candle sticks with sustainable and affordable solar lanterns in the off grid rural communities of Rwanda.
Specific objectives: To greatly reduce the carbon dioxide emissions of each
house hold in selected villages.
To initiate the community to advocate for support of underprivileged women.
To empower the households of poor girls economically through selling the solar lanterns.
To improve the health standards of rural areas by replacing
the hazard kerosene lamps, candle sticks with solar lamps.
PROJECT ACTIVITIES PROJECT ACTIVITIES
To carry out customer research and solar lantern
specifications.
To partner with manufacturers from USA/ Europe/ China for
design and development of solar lanterns,.
To carry out prototype testing and household testing, carry
out production of ideal solar lanterns.
To fundraise for 3 solar lantern kit s of 50-100 lanterns for
the pilot project.
To purchase and install the solar lantern charging systems
for the pilot project.
To deliver and install the solar kits in the selected rural
villages for the pilot project.
To train the impoverished women in assembling and selling
the solar lanterns, also in managing micro-enterprises.
PROJECT METHODOLOGYPROJECT METHODOLOGY PROJECT STRATEGY FAWE Girls’ school will distribute the lanterns to rural
villages. The rural people will pay an initial amount of the lantern to be determined by the project management and the village representatives and the rest will be paid in monthly installments for 2 years.
In each village, a women’s self-help group (after training) will operate a solar battery charging station, where they will charge the batteries of solar lanterns.
Villagers will come and exchange their discharged lanterns/ batteries and pick up a charged lantern/ battery.
Each villager will pay a service charge for charging the lantern/ battery that will not be more than that they are currently paying for kerosene fuel ( at least for the lowest income group).
The service charges will be used to pay for the livelihood of the women’s self-help group, replace the lanterns/ batteries as and when needs replacement and accumulate a solar project fund to further expand the activity in other villages.
PROJECT SUSTAINABILITY
The following are some of the activities that we have set up to make this project sustainable:
We are to seek a grant/donation worth $15,000(9,750,000Rwfs) from international donors and foundations as a startup fund to purchase 3 solar kits each with about 50-100 lanterns for the pilot project.
Each villager will pay a service fee (USD$ 2 to $ 5 per month) for charging the lantern or the battery and mobile phones. The service charges will be used to pay for the livelihood of the women’s self-help group, replace the lanterns/ batteries and expand the project to other areas
Impoverished women will be encouraged to see credit from local banks.
We shall organize annual fundraising events and all share holders in energy, environment and education sectors of Rwanda.
PROJECT BUDGET PROJECT BUDGET
$9,000 3 complete solar kits each with 50 lanterns
$1,800 Utilities and operating expenses
$2,700 Training costs for impoverished women
$1,000 Expenses for the 4 project staff members
$500 Expenses for 5 FAWE students
TOTAL USD $15,000
PROJECT EVALUATIONPROJECT EVALUATION
Success for the proposed initiative would be defined by the
number of student families shifting from kerosene consumption
to solar power usage through solar lanterns.
The success will also be measured on the number of
impoverished women gaining employment from the solar
enterprise.
Feedback of the students and the increase in study hours of
students can be a factor for measuring the success of the
project.
Survey of external evaluators about the effects of using a solar
lantern on the education of the children, their health, safety
benefits, benefit to after dark productive activities e.g. local
school activities and community meetings.
CONCLUSIONCONCLUSION
FAWE GIRLS’ SCHOOL needs your support to implement its
holistic approach to improve the lives of the impoverished
rural people in Rwanda through the use of renewable
energy to light their houses and power their agricultural
projects like poultry, piggery etc.
HOW YOU CAN HELP? The project urgently needs your support through financial
donations.
You can help by spreading the word about the project.
You can volunteer to train the women on micro-enterprise business solutions.