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.