Koinonia Foundation to install solar power system at school in Rwamagana, Rwanda
We’ve started spreading the word that Koinonia Foundation will host its first fundraiser this fall in Grand Rapids. (Side note: If you’d like to assist in some capacity, contact ashley@kfaid.com.) Proceeds from the event will help fund the cost and installation of a solar power system at a school in Rwamagana, Rwanda.
The install is a Koinonia Foundation partnership with The Rwanda School Project. The Rwanda School Project is a funding partner of The Rwamagana Lutheran School, which will be where the system is installed. What I really like about this school is its focus on sustainability. Rwanda is the most densely populated country in Africa – there are nearly 10 million people in a country roughly the size of Maryland. That can be quite a squeeze on the environment and natural resources. In recognition of this, the school is creating itself as a working demonstration facility with solar power (that’s where we come in), bio-gas digesters, water catchment, farming and gardening techniques (drip irrigation, zero-grazing, and erosion protection), and low-fuel ovens. Students and staff participate in building and maintaining these systems, as well as overseeing their evolution.
Another great thing about the school is that they work hard to serve a significant number of economically disadvantaged students and to attract (and retain) girls. They also hire the majority of their teachers from the Kigali Institute of Education.
The school will open its new facilities in January 2011. Eventually, it will serve about 540 students in grades Secondary 1-6 (U.S. grades 7-12).
Here are some pics forwarded from Andrew Williams, when he checked in last week on the construction.
