Sustainable Education is a Key Objective
Warnborough College Ireland is part of a consortium of institutions across Europe and Kenya on the DEVISE4KE project, funded by the European Union’s Erasmus+ programme. This is a wonderful project which aims to help rural Kenyan schools get renewable electricity to power their classrooms through the installation of solar panels.
Currently, teaching is limited to the amount of daylight which shines into the classrooms. Having photovoltaic sources of energy means that electric lights can be installed, and low-energy devices can be acquired and used. Phase 1 (the installation of solar panels) is now complete. Phase 2 of the project will involve the acquisition of low-energy devices such as Raspberry Pi machines, tablets, and/or mobile phones to help teach both teachers and students digital skills.
Kenya Calling
European partners flew to Kenya and worked with the schools from 22 to 26 July 2024. The first organisation to receive the solar panel installation was key Kenyan partner, the University of Rongo, who also hosted the initial meetings. All partners congregated at the university campus, where they were greeted warmly by Prof Samuel Gudu, the Vice-Chancellor, and the Dean, Prof Jonathan Mulwa. Wycliffe Ogaga, the Head of the Council Secretariat, was on hand to make sure everything ran smoothly. Evans Ogolla of the Orore Youth Sports Development Project provided immeasurable support. European partners present included the Institut Technik und Bildung (ITB) from Germany, Maristak Durango from Spain, and Warnborough College Ireland (WCI).
Working in the Communities
Once the formalities were over, partners decamped to the rural parts of Orore-Gwassi where the schools were located. Activities were split across 3 days where solar panels were installed in the schools, and special training was delivered to the school staff on photovoltaic technology and understanding. Additional training for teachers was designed by Warnborough College Ireland, and delivered in partnership with ITB and Maristak.
Three rural schools benefited from the project. These are the Kiabuya Mixed Secondary School, Miramba Mixed Secondary School, and St Joseph Olando Mixed Secondary School.
It was wonderful to engage very closely with the schools and communities, and to see the palpable excitement and joy of the photovoltaic installations and what it means for the local stakeholders. European participants were treated to the inimitable Kenyan hospitality and food, and the solidarity on all sides to achieve the objectives never felt stronger.
