​​Solar Libraries

Without light, learning is limited

Around 600 million people in Africa live without power. So even when children have books the chance to take books home from a school or public libraries, they can only read and study during daylight hours.

It makes it much harder for children to keep up with their learning. 

Girls face even bigger challenges because they are often expected to help with household chores during daylight hours.

So, working with SolarAid, we launched our Solar Libraries project– and thousands of children now have books in school, and the chance to read and study after dark.  

The power of Solar libraries

So far, we’ve set up Solar Libraries at 37 primary schools in Malawi.

At each school, we work with SolarAid to provide 400 brand new books, 40 solar lamps and funding to buy more locally published books.

We run training workshops too, showing teachers how to set up and run a library and lamp lending scheme, and suggesting a range of reading activities.

Through the project, pupils can rent solar lamps powered by green energy for as little as 1p per night. So not only do schools have additional income, but whole families benefit as they can spend time together more easily.

And thousands of pupils have more time to discover the power of books – and use that power to build a more equal future.

 

What Solar Libraries delivers

• Pupils have access to clean, safe and affordable solar lamps, so they can spend more time reading at home
• More books are available to support education
• The quality of education grows, as teachers feel more confident using books in lessons and inspiring children to read.