Powering up the next chapter of Barefoot College International

Light! More like than ever before. Barefooot College International’s new systems shipped to Senegal are powering up our solar programs and helping even more families than ever.

With more light, everything from opportunities to aspirations shine brighter. We’re thrilled to announce that our revamped and modernized solar systems are being installed in new communities throughout Africa. 

Our new systems have twice the wattage and vastly improved battery and shelf life. Our target is to electrify 1200 homes in Senegal, which is double what we had intended. More power, more light, and more impact everywhere. 

Our goal is to empower ground-up change for the creation of sustainable business and social development. With the application of modern technologies, investment and our proven culturally sensitive and effective training methodologies, we will continue to spread our work throughout rural regions badly in need of opportunity. 

These are critical milestones to impact Africa at scale. 

• $4000 GDP. Rapid quality of life improvement (per capita) through advanced solar power necessary to achieve the key developmental milestone.
• 50-100 KWh. This annual level of electrical access (per capita) would allow BCI to train and support our beneficiaries in the implementation of full internet access at extremely high speeds via satellite connectivity. 
• Internet connectivity at scale to elevate our core programs of education, maternal and child health, micro-enterprise economical development and environmental improvement.

Senegal powering up a birthing center

To date, 19 women from the Kédougou region of Senegal have been trained. These women are leading the way with the first installation of our more powerful solar systems.

“Finally, I see the light. I won’t stay in the dark anymore.
It is as if the horizon is opening up.”

—Aminata

They also will be electrifying a birthing center in the region.

“These centers have no light, so when the women are delivering at night the nurses use lamps or even the torch from a cell phone creating a dangerous situation,” said Karine Sar, director of Barefoot College International’s Regional Center in Senegal.

There are three such centers in Kédougou, Sar said. She’s working with local officials to organize which center will be electrified by the Barefoot solar engineers, and hoping to inpsire new partners to provide systems for the other two birthing centers.

Anyone who wishes to support this can click here to donate to our Powering Up Africa campaign.