Solafrica - Getting the World Cup to Africa's Slums With Solar Power Plants

Swiss-based, non-profit organization, Solafrica, brought the 2010 World Cup to Nairobi's largest slum by donating a portable solar station, and some much-needed technology.

Kibera--Africa's largest slum with a population of a million--is as manic about World Cup Football as the rest of the continent. But without electricity, not to mention television, watching any of the games has been out of the question.

That is, until Solafrica's latest contribution.

Working closely with the Kibera Community Youth Program and Greenpeace, Solafrica donated the solar power station, along with a television set, to bring people together to celebrate sport. A similar set-up was done in Jericho.

The power station is compact, easy to use, with minimal wiring, and is set up in a public hall that can house up to 1,000 people.

“The solar power station is essentially a box with rechargeable solar batteries,” says KCYP’s Solar Project Manager Elizabeth Otieno in an attempt to describe the gadget in the simplest terms.

And there's more to this contribution than just the Solar World Cup initiative.

Due to its lack of electricity, Kibera's light comes mainly from kerosene lanterns--a dangerous fuel that also emits a toxic smoke. Solafrica and Greenpeace are training youth to make simple, solar-powered LED lamps that can both replace the kerosene lanterns and act as a flashlight.

“We want to show the residents of the slums the benefits of solar technology. We want to convince them to adapt to new solar LED technology that will benefit them and their children,” said Solafrica’s Executive Director, Joshiah Ramogi.

The World Cup 2010 has come under some criticism due to an expected carbon footprint 6 times higher than its predecessor. So, Solafrica's project is a bit of a bright light (pun intended) in the shadows.

What's more, if successful the implications are far reaching--an example of teaching skills and providing means to those who need it.

Learn more about Solar Power on eBoom’s Solar Energy Learning Page.