WHAT DO WE DO?
Switched On-Gambia operates primarily in the Central River Region of The Gambia. This part of The Gambia has limited access to electricity and many communities rely on candles and batteries as their main lighting sources. The charity provides a scheme of renting to buy solar lamps, which are distributed through solar libraries set up in schools. The weekly cost of a lamp is the equivalent of a candle, and after so many weeks of payment, the families then own the lamps themselves, moving on to sustainable lighting and energy for their future. There is a high risk of causing fires when using candles, which can destroy lives and homes; with no fire hazards, these lamps save lives, and save money for families where every little helps. After studying models in other parts of Africa, it was decided to employ several strategies within the project to increase success and sustainability:
Solar Libraries Sets of high quality lights are donated to schools for rental to its pupils. This encourages their work, and allows communities to experience the quality, safety and economy of the lamps. We currently support Solar Libraries in 15 schools in the Central River Division of The Gambia. Access to Buy A number of methods to purchase lighting have been set up: a shop in Jan Jan Bureh, part payment schemes, and ‘Solar Stars; who sell lights within their extended communities. Book Boxes Since 2017 Switched On-Gambia has been collaborating with Book Aid International. 2,500 new books were donated and 5 schools have been trialling ‘Book Boxes.’ The aim of the collaboration is to encourage the rental of the solar lights and create effective reading opportunities, particularly through evening classes and book clubs, when solar lights and books come together to enhance learning. Our partners in The Gambia tell us that the programme has complely restored the schools' libraries. Solar Stars In 2017, Switched On-Gambia trialled the concept of Solar Stars, who represent the charity and encourage the use of solar power whilst selling the lamps. The Solar Star was approached for a one year period and regularly travelled in her region to sell lamps to local communities. |
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BOOK AID INTERNATIONAL
Switched On-Gambia have a partnership with Book Aid International, 'UK’s leading international book donation and library development charity.' Switched On-Gambia is working in collaboration with Book Aid International to support schools in Central River Region of The Gambia. Schools working effectively on the solar library project have been invited to use Book Boxes to support reading by combining access to light and access to books. Book Boxes are made by a local carpenter which gives employment. A selection of books are put in each box including reference and fiction which are then in a protected and portable box. Teachers are trained to organise and manage the boxes depending on the initiatives that are developed. Access to high quality books is proving to be a great incentive for the rental of solar lamps. A variety of creative innovations are being trialled including: Solar reading clubs, night school lessons and home reading initiatives. The project is restoring the libraries in participating schools to 'full functionality', according to our partners. In 2019, Book Aid started successfully trialling the model with projects in other parts of the continent.
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ANNUAL REPORTS
Some 2019/20 highlights:
• Our Gambian partners, Intouch Gambia, recruited new staff
• The solar libraries project was active in 16 schools in the Janjanburreh area of The Gambia
• The Book Aid solar lighting 'homework club' model that we had piloted was trialled in other places, including Uganda, where it won an award
• The funds raised by a 'Wolf Run' in the UK helped purchase a vehicle for our partners' work in The Gambia
Post script. At the end of March 2020, activities were paused due to Covid-19. However, our partners continued to provide immediate practical support to those most in need in their local community. Activities have since resumed, including intensive and ambitious new programmes with schools in 2021 and 2022.
Download our 2019-20 report here:
annual_report_2019-20.pdf
Annual Report for 2018/2019:
sog_annual_report_11-12-19.pdf
Annual Report for 2017/18:
switched_on-gambia_annual_report_2017-2018.pdf
ETHICAL FUNDING STATEMENT
On 10th July 2020, Trustees unanimously agreed the following Ethical Funding Statement for Switched On - Gambia
Switched On - Gambia exists to relieve poverty in The Gambia and Africa through the provision of solar energy to those in need.
Our commitment to a just transition from oil-based to more sustainable energies means we do not accept donations
from organisations whose core business contradicts this aim.
We know that from time-to-time our partners and stakeholders in projects may not share our commitment to the same degree.
As a charity that honours the power of education and dialogue, we aim to be advocates for their critical reflection.
• Our Gambian partners, Intouch Gambia, recruited new staff
• The solar libraries project was active in 16 schools in the Janjanburreh area of The Gambia
• The Book Aid solar lighting 'homework club' model that we had piloted was trialled in other places, including Uganda, where it won an award
• The funds raised by a 'Wolf Run' in the UK helped purchase a vehicle for our partners' work in The Gambia
Post script. At the end of March 2020, activities were paused due to Covid-19. However, our partners continued to provide immediate practical support to those most in need in their local community. Activities have since resumed, including intensive and ambitious new programmes with schools in 2021 and 2022.
Download our 2019-20 report here:
annual_report_2019-20.pdf
Annual Report for 2018/2019:
sog_annual_report_11-12-19.pdf
Annual Report for 2017/18:
switched_on-gambia_annual_report_2017-2018.pdf
ETHICAL FUNDING STATEMENT
On 10th July 2020, Trustees unanimously agreed the following Ethical Funding Statement for Switched On - Gambia
Switched On - Gambia exists to relieve poverty in The Gambia and Africa through the provision of solar energy to those in need.
Our commitment to a just transition from oil-based to more sustainable energies means we do not accept donations
from organisations whose core business contradicts this aim.
We know that from time-to-time our partners and stakeholders in projects may not share our commitment to the same degree.
As a charity that honours the power of education and dialogue, we aim to be advocates for their critical reflection.