However, these schools need electricity now to improve academic scores and evening working conditions for teachers. Electricity will provide opportunities for after chore and dinner studying and adult education for the community. They have asked NomadHope.org to help provide solar power to their schools. In addition, many of the water sources for the schools are in need of repair, and co-ed

Essakane has a population of approximately 17,000, ten sedentary villages, and twelve extended nomadic families. The schools are located in the far northern region of Mali, just southwest of Tombouctou (Timbuktu). The majority of the population herd goats and camels to sustain their way of life there. The schools are community-run, day and boarding schools, housing children from many of the nomadic families in the area as the family travels to feed their herds.

The first school was created in 2005 and has been growing ever since. In 2007, thanks to efforts of the parents and a development

It is our hope to develop a long term relationship with these schools and others in the area, providing technology and engineering solutions to further the community’s efforts toward literacy and education.

Surveying Existing Conditions
In November ’08, EWB-LA Professionals and NomadHope staff are planning an assessment trip to design the solar and well repairs for each of the schools. EWB will see first hand how the community would like to use solar to improve their children’s and community education and how the teachers will use it to improve their classes. Before implementing solar electricity, the EWB engineers will assess the schools’ access to clean water and sanitation facilities for the students.

The Project
The project will be initiated with the first target school as a pilot, where the appropriate technology and processes will be proven for rollout to all 6 schools. With multiple organizations partnering together, each bringing expertise to the projects, NomadHope.org has high confidence in the continued success of our efforts and the effective use of donor contributions.

Expected Results
The Banco project in Mali, another solar school project, saw a dramatic improvement in its students test scores. After the solar installation 36 out of the 37 passed the national exams, up from 6. Electric lights increase productive hours, allowing students to study in the evenings, after their chores are finished.

Caroline Hombe, a 35-year-old teacher in rural Mhondoro, Zimbabwe, can go through the pile of books stacked on her table without worrying that the onset of darkness will put an end to her work. She no longer suffers from respiratory ailments due to inhaling smoke from her office kerosene lamp.

Fund Raising Goals for this project:

• Raise $10,000 to begin planning and design – DONE!
• Raise $170,000 to complete all 6 schools.

We need an additional $170,000 to complete work on all 6 schools, comprised of $20,000 to complete the first pilot school and $150,000 for the remaining five school projects.

Your donation will go directly to funding the equipment and local labor costs for the project. Travel, training and recruiting costs will be self-funded by individual volunteers and their sponsors.

To mail a donation check, send to: Sahara Solutions Foundation, PO Box 221 Manhattan Beach, CA 90267.