A village in one of the poorest countries in the world has been given electricity, partly thanks to a South Holland charity.
The Rotary Club of Spalding and Welland in partnership with the Church of Boston St Botolph has helped to provide the 850 villagers of Janneh Kunda in Gambia with solar power.
Through fundraising initiatives the Rotary members were able to donate £1,000 to the project alongside grants from the Rotary Foundation which made the overall donation to be £3,000.
Working with the Gambia Experience Community Development Fund and ComAfrique Inversol, 70 LED Solar lights have been provided to the village that previously used primitive batteries or candles.
A spokesman for the Rotary Club of Spalding and Welland, said: “The benefits of this project include giving children the ability to study at home thereby enhancing their education and future job prospects.
“Solar light costs about 50 per cent less than candles whilst the comparison to batteries is even more favourable so there is a financial gain in addition to the reduction of fire risk.
“As with all Rotary funded projects the aim is sustainability into the future. Villagers are given training and advice on how to use the system.
“ComAfrique undertakes to oversee the installation for the first three years of its life and ensure that any technical issues are addressed and best use is made of the opportunities it provides.
“At the moment solar panels have an expected life of five years and the rechargeable batteries about three.
“With advances in technology these figures are improving all the time.”
A Community Committee has been set up with villagers who also put money into a community fund overseen by ComAfrique.
The spokesman continued: “The provision of Solar Power to communities such as Janneh Kunda is life changing. The Rotary Club of Spalding and Welland prides itself in supporting our local community in South Holland but also considers assistance to others is a part of the Rotary Organisation.”
Anyone interested in being involved in the rotary can contact president elect, Melanie Biggadike at [email protected]
