4 digital-solar projects for rural regions of Senegal that are excluded from digital development (Waladé, Diourbel, Kaolak, Kaffrine)
The “IT School and Future Opportunities” project supports severely disadvantaged rural populations in the following areas:
- Energy scarcity and the lack of IT equipment and IT education opportunities reinforce the digital divide between rural and urban areas, leading to great inequality of opportunity, sustainable development being prevented and quality education and fair job opportunities remaining severely disadvantaged.
- Lack of access to basic computer skills for school, work, communication, information and life.
- Impairment of the educational development of children in rural areas.
Access to energy is the decisive prerequisite for providing children and young people with the important IT education and enabling them to participate in technological development. Digital development is also seen as the basis for better jobs, increased income, sustainable future opportunities and, as a result, a reduction in poverty. The construction of mini solar power plants with IT education centers is a priority.
Each digital center consists of:
- IT room, with approx. 50 laptops (classroom for 50 pupils),
- Multipurpose or technical room,
- Sanitary facilities, and
- Solar technology with batteries and necessary equipment.
The project was initiated in a participatory manner and the sites were selected centrally to ensure the best possible access. Two of the four sites also offer space for sustainable construction using local materials.
Activities:
- Construction measures.
- Training architects and craftsmen in sustainable construction techniques.
- Installation of solar panels and charging stations.
- IT / notebooks and equipment.
- Further training for teachers.
- Computer-aided training in environmental and energy technology.
- IT basic education (including vocational training).
- Computer-aided reading, writing, arithmetic and intelligence support (literacy programs).
- Job placement opportunities.
- Energy and environmental education.
- IT services for the villagers and surrounding areas.
The project builds a bridge:
- Nearby schools will benefit from the new classrooms to educate children, young people and interested residents.
- Start-up skills, new jobs, and employment opportunities will be created for the region.
- Agricultural skills, especially in times of climate change, will be offered as courses.
Successes 2023:
- Geotechnical investigations.
- Locally available building materials (clay, straw, wood) for sustainable construction and excavation.
- Delivery of materials and cordoning off sites.
- Masonry work and reinforced concrete structures.
Results:
- Qualitative education.
- Reduction of inequalities in education and reduction of the digital divide.
- Improved job and career opportunities and improved access to higher education.
- Improved social participation of communities, thereby reducing poverty.
Our heartfelt thanks go to
“ZF helps” and the ZF employees!
