Summary: Butove Village is home to over 1000 people and is 5km from the nearest town. With seasonal stagnant and contaminated water, these villagers struggle every day. The average family must fetch water 4-5 times a day with a wait time of 30 minutes once they reach the water source. The water they are drinking is contaminated in garbage and leads to sickness and disease. However, in May 2018, Innovation: Africa provided the community with access to clean and safe water. The villagers now have time to focus on agricultural, domestic and economic generating activities while enjoying the freedom of safe drinking water for generations to come.

Summary: Katira Secondary School is home to students who are really trying to pass their exams, so they can move on to the next levels of education. The students at Katira Secondary School have dreams to become doctors, teachers and even engineers. However without light in their school, it makes studying for their national exams very hard, and passing their exams almost impossible. Before they had solar energy from Innovation: Africa, they were forced to use kerosene lamps and candles, which are harmful to the students health. Since the installation of the solar panels and light bulbs, the students have been able to study for longer hours, which has increased the passing rate on students national exams.

Summary: Butundula is located in the Buguri district of Uganda, about 25KM away from the capital. This village’s population of 2,500 means that in the mornings and evenings, which are the peak times to get water, people have to wait close to 2 hours to get water from one specific area of stagnant water. Unfortunately, during the dry season, there is no water available in this area at all, meaning that the people of Butundula have to walk even farther to get water. Many times there have been cases of both skin diseases and waterborne illnesses.  In January 2018, we were so excited to give the people of Butundula what they need and deserve to live happier, healthier and more fruitful lives. Innovation: Africa completed a solar water pumping system for the community of Butundula Village and for the first time, this community will have clean water to be able to sustain themselves and their family for generations to come.

Summary: In Makhonje Village, their only source of water used to come from a stagnant source, which is a breeding ground for water-borne diseases such as typhoid.  This particular source of water was supposed to sustain over 9,000 people, however, due to long wait times in peak hours, such as mornings and evenings, the women and children are required to walk even further to try and find another source of water to bring back to their family. Once our solar power water system was installed by Innovation: Africa, over 9,000 people in the village now and forever will have access to clean water!

Summary: Bukalikha Primary School is located in Busia district of Uganda, 16 km from the nearest town and 8km for the electrical grid. The school serves 959 students from the 9 surrounding villages, many of whom travel hours on foot each day just to attend class. The students of Bukalikha Primary School are determined to do well in school and work toward a brighter future, but many obstacles stand in their way. The fact that these students lack access to solar energy and light hinders them from furthering their education in a safe environment. Without light in their school, not all of the senior class students pass their national exams. But on October 19th, these student’s prayers were answered by a 12 year-old boy from Israel who decided to raise money and bring light to Bukalikha Primary School for generations to come. Here’s to increased graduation rates and more students attending secondary school!

Summary: By bringing drip irrigation to a village, Innovation: Africa is able to help the village become more sustainable on its own. The village is now able to use the clean water that we have provided to them in the months prior for growing their own food and generating an income. This food can not only be eaten, but can also be sold for money, or even traded for other items. Here’s to sustainability for many years to come!

Summary: The Butove Primary School is located 31km from Mbale and serves 1033 students, coming from over 10 villages. 200 of these students are orphans or come from vulnerable family situations. There have been reports of respiratory issues from the use of kerosene lamps and candles and the scores of the students reflected their struggle to learn in the darkness in such harmful conditions. With the help of Innovation: Africa, the students as well as the teaching staff of 17 now have the opportunity to excel in their educational pursuits! From powering the school with access to solar energy and turning on the light, now dreams can truly be attainable.

Summary: When our team traveled to Mugiti Health Center, we met Nurse Margaret, who told us a story about delivering a baby at 1 am.  She said “the mother did not bring a candle, so I was forced to hold my own personal candle in my mouth to deliver the baby. To get back to my quarters, I then had to use the flashlight on my phone.” This particular health center has not gotten any gas delivered at all, so the only time to vaccinate the people are right when they arrive since they are not able to be stored. Because of the short time frame, not everyone is able to get vaccinated. However, now that they have Innovation: Africa’s solar technology, they are able to deliver babies at night with light, and store all of the vaccines they need in a solar powered refrigerator.

Summary: Tikkun Olam School is extremely unique. Bringing together Jewish, Christian and Muslim students under one roof to learn makes this school unlike any other in Uganda. But without access to solar energy, made it even more difficult for the 517 students to receive the education they deserve. In July 2017, The Ezra Uganda Assistance partnered with Innovation: Africa to deliver and install solar panels and light bulbs, brightening the futures of Namutumba School’s students and teachers forever.

Summary: Nyanza and Kamasaba are neighboring villages, that both faced the challenge of attaining access to clean water. Nyanza with a population of 1,387 and Kamasaba with 895, both communities were in dire need of clean water. When we first visited these communities, our managers found two insufficient sources of water to be inhabited by fish. With the villagers who live furthest away from these sources, they had to walk up to 3 hours just to collect enough water for their basic needs. With both villages riddled with skin diseases and water-borne illness, there was a great need to bring clean water to the 2,282 deserving community members of Nyanza and Kamasaba. And that’s exactly what we did. By installing solar panels, a solar pump, water tank and water taps, our team provided both villages with access to clean water and healthy futures.

Summary: The villagers of Apeded once gathered at the borehole 5 km away from the village center to collect water at the same place that others in the community bathe at. They also shared this original water source with their animals causing there to be all type of illnesses like typhoid, trachoma and skin irritations. When Innovation: Africa entered the village on June 29, 2016, they halted the 30 - 1 hour wait for contaminated water by installing a clean water system with 12 taps over the

Summary: At a borehole 18 km away from the Kanagakinoi village center, 3,200 people once gathered 2-3 times daily to retrieve their water supply. The water is not potable—it is infected with various bacterials and infections like typhoid, diarrhea, and skin irritations. The original source was only available in the rainy season and community members had to wait 30 minutes for some contaminated water. When Innovation: Africa entered the village on August 17, 2016, they brought hope to the village and new clean water system to support the prosperity and health of this village.

Summary: The 1,800 villagers of Kobeyon once made 2-3 trips daily to their only water source: a shallow well 15 km from the village center. There at the well, they retrieved stagnant water, waited for 20-30 minutes, and feared being bitten by snakes. The community had little hope in a sustainable water project due to their lack of daily income, however, Innovation: Africa made it possible. In June 2016, the non-profit installed a solar pump to provide clean water to the villagers and help them enjoy a basic necessity.

Summary: In the Lokiyengunet village, located 3 km from the nearest town, families must walk 2-3 km to receive water. Over 2,500 people rely on the water from the running river for sustenance and hydration. The average family consumes 3-5 jerry cans of water per day, and travels 2-3 times a day, fetching 20 liters at a time for the family. Though the villagers receive water immediately because it is a running river, this source is only reliable in the rainy season. With the help of innovation: Africa, the Lokiyengunet villagers are able to focus on agricultural activities that better the quality of life in their community, such as grazing cattle.

Summary: The Nabukut village’s original water source was from a small river with stagnant water and snakes 16 km away from the village center. Community members had to make 2-3 trips daily to the river, where it took 20-30 minutes to fill up one of their jerry cans. After consuming such water, there were reports of many illnesses like typhoid, malaria, diarrhea, skin irritations and eye diseases. In June 2016, Innovation: Africa came into the village of Nabukut to begin helping them to implement a clean water system serving the population of over 2,500. With this, the village hoped to utilize the water for washing, bathing, raising cattle, and irrigation. Innovation: Africa provided the village with 12 taps of clean water for the first time ever

Summary: In a village of over 1,300 people, Kubo Primary School has 427 students made up of 190 boys and 237 girls, of which 122 are vulnerable children. Unfortunately, only 19 students passed their annual exams in 2015, meaning a passing rate of .04%. Due to the high use of candles and kerosene lamps, a majority of the students have faced negative side effects, including eye issues and severe coughs. Fortunately, that is where Innovation: Africa comes in! In August of 2016, Innovation: Africa was able to install solar panels and lights for the the students of Kubo Primary School. For some of the students, it was their first time ever seeing light at night. Now, the students will be able to study for their exams during the night and will be able to further their education by going to Secondary School and beyond!

Summary: Located 10km from the electrical grid in Busia district, the community members of Kubo Village were forced to walk a minimum of 2km multiple times per day to fetch dirty water, which made families sick with water-borne diseases. The average family water consumption is approximately four to six 20-liter jerry cans per day. On January 14th, 2016, Innovation: Africa finalized the installation of a clean water system for more than 1,700 people set to have 6 taps across 2 km.

Summary: The Magid Family was touched by the villagers of Buwakhanyinywi Village, Uganda during a donor trip to visit our projects. The community shared with Innovation: Africa the need for a primary school to be built for the children. Prior to the construction and solar installation, the students had been traveling 3 miles each way in the sun without shoes, and often on an empty stomach. The Magids had agreed and decided to build a school for the community and in honor of their son Jordan, they named the school, "The Jordan School". Today, 251 students are receiving an education much closer to their homes and for some of the students, this is their first opportunity to attend school.

Summary: Located in Busia district and 12km from the electrical grid, Bulumbi Health Center III serves a total population of 28,700 people from 2 sub-counties. With one doctor, six nurses and two midwives on staff, the clinic attends to over 80 patients per day and roughly 10-20 during the night. Without light, on average monthly, there are 80-90 births. Together with 3 campaigners from the United States, Innovation: Africa provided solar energy, light and a solar powered refrigerator to Bulumbi Village for the first time on April 7th, 2016. For the first time, women can now give birth under the light of solar energy and people now have access to vaccines and medicines properly stored in a vaccine refrigerator.

Summary: Night after night without access to light for studying, students were falling further and further behind in their school work leaving them with fewer options for their future. When Innovation: Africa’s team in Uganda visited Bwibere PS, we were determined to bring solar energy to Bwibere Village, so these students could receive the education and opportunities they deserve. On May 31st, 2016, our Uganda team of engineers and solar contractors installed solar energy and light allowing students with the opportunity to study at night under the light of solar energy for the first time.

Summary: During our team’s first visit to Nakaloke Primary School, over 900 student’s reality was studying by candlelight and kerosene at night, causing many respiratory and eye-sight issues. Located in Uganda’s Mbale region and 6km from the nearest access to energy, Watsemba Primary School is also the house of 300 orphans or vulnerable children who sleep and are forced to study in the dark. Due to the high cost of candles and kerosene enabling children to study at night, only 56 children passed their national exams last year. On June 14th, 2016, Innovation: Africa brought light and solar energy to brighten the futures of Watsemba’s students. Stay tuned – we are sure the number of students passing their exams will jump!

Summary: On November 15th, 2015, Innovation: Africa installed solar energy to pump clean water for the 7,000 community members of Nakaloke Village, Uganda for the first time. iA also installed 10 water taps throughout the village, allowing for access to clean and safe water to travel up to 3km. Women no longer need to walk 2-3 hours up to 5 times a day to fetch contaminated water that made their children sick with diseases such as diarrhea, typhoid, skin and eye problems.

Summary: Bugayi Village is located in Bugiri district. Before having access to clean water through Innovation: Africa, the women of Bugayi walked more than 1.5km to fetch dirty water at least 3-4 times per day and night, which often makes their children sick with water-borne diseases. During seasons when the sun was at its strongest, the borehole dried up completely, forcing the women and children to walk at least 4km to another water source. Bugayi Village now has 9 taps across 2km and is Innovation: Africa's 100th solar installation!

Summary: Located in Mbale district, Nabweye Village is home to 1200 people and 4 kilometers from the nearest town. The only source of water for the community was a pool of dirty water. The waiting time for water was most severe in the mornings, when the school children would need to fetch dirty water for their families before they went to class and usually the wait was up to 2 hours. Nearly 4 surrounding villages utilized this only source of water. All of the villages reported multiple cases of severe diarrhea, typhoid and other water-borne diseases. The average family water consumption was between four to six 20-liter jerrycans that must be filled up at least 3 times per day. On April 14th, 2016 Innovation: Africa provided the community of Nabweye Village with 10 taps across 2.5km of clean water for the first time

Summary: Bukalikha Village, Uganda is located in Busia District 6km from the closest electrical grid and access to energy. Before Innovation: Africa installed solar panels, a solar water pump, a tank, and 10 water taps throughout the village, their only source of water was a spring that was contaminated with many water-borne diseases, such as diarrhea and typhoid. Once the women and children arrived at the borehole, they would need to wait in line for at least 2-3 hours before fetching water. On average, one family needs 4-5 jerrycans to meet their water consumption per day, which means the women and children had to walk at least 2 miles, 3-4 times per day. On June 3RD, 2016 our team provided a solar water pumping system to the community of Bukalikha Village and today, many businesses are flourishing within the village such as making bricks, growing and selling vegetables and fruits.

Summary: Nkondo Health Center is 37 KM away from the nearest town. This Health Center serves 20 of the surrounding villages, which has an astounding population of 17,500 people. On average, they receive 75 patients per day and perform 35 births per month. Due to the lack of energy and the unreliable gas deliveries, the health center is forced to transport vaccines from one clinic to another, which runs the risk of spoiling the vaccines. Since installing a solar vaccine refrigerator, they have given out over 2,600 vaccines in the span of 1 month, and have even more stored in the fridge. They have also been able to treat 600 children in the span of 1 month. The number of deliveries has increased due to the fact that more women are aware that the clinic has power, and they know that both their babies and themselves will be healthier.

Summary: For years, the parents of Budwale primary school have been pooling together their funds to pay for candles and kerosene lamps. They used to do so because many of them live far away from the school, and their children cannot travel home each night. Instead, they sleep in their classrooms or in nearby huts. Mr, Walela Hamudani Namanda, Budwale primary’s head teacher, has taken this opportunity to run night lessons for these students. But the financial toll of the candles and kerosene lamps on families that earn less than $1 a day has been too great. parents have been forced to give up money for food and clothing to pay for kerosene. with solar energy in their school, the parents now don’t have to choose between feeding and educating their children. And with light for their nighttime study sessions, these students can receive the education that will help bring them and their families a better life.

Summary: The oldest students of Nanzala primary school were studying for their national exams when a storm blew off the roof of their school. they had been sleeping at the time—many were staying all night in school, preparing for the nation-wide exam that determines whether or not they will make it to secondary school. the tests are easy for those that prepare, but without light in their homes, these children do not have the opportunity to study in the evenings. with money going to repair the roof of the school, there was none left to fund the candles and kerosene lamps used to light nighttime study sessions. with solar energy in their classrooms, the students of nanzala are once again able to resume their studies and continue on to the higher education they deserve.

Summary: Before the installation of solar energy at Bumadanda Health Center II on July 1, 2010 in Mbale, Uganda, the clinic could not offer effective medical care to the average 10 patients seen at night and 70 patients seen during the day. Located 7 kilometers from the closest electrical grid, Innovation: Africa installed 5 solar panels of 85Wp each and 14 light bulbs of 11W each. On average, 6,000 vaccine doses are stored in our solar refrigerators and issued since our installation and 500 children are vaccinated per month. Thanks to Israeli solar technology, men women and children now have the proper medical care and attention they deserve, all under the light of solar energy. Bumadanda Health Center I+II serves a population of 32,000 people and is open 24-hrs with 2 staff members.

Summary: located 10km away from the nearest village with electricity, the Lwaso primary school is home to 530 students and nine teachers. The school has no official boarding program, but both students and teachers have to walk such great distances to get there that they often spend the night sleeping in their classrooms, pushing  back the desks and sleeping on the cement floors. Each night, these students used to struggle to complete their studies by candlelight. solar energy in Lwaso primary school finally allowes the community to come together in the evenings, eating meals, studying and preparing for exams for the first time ever in the light.

Summary: Allan is an orphan. Shortly before both his parents died of AIDS, they entrusted Allan to Kaliro orphanage. For nearly three years , Allan has been living in the Kaliro dormitory, going to bed each night alone and in the dark. but recently, there has been a great change in kaliro orphanage. With the installation of solar energy by innovation: africa, the dormitories are lit up at night. for the first time, children can read to themselves and one another. Allan is only six years old, and has never had anyone to read him a story in bed. now, unlike his parents, Allan is learning to read by himself,  and for the first time doesn’t feel so alone.

Summary: Mutyaba Abaasa never chose to run this rural school. Posted there by the government in 2005, Mr. Abaasa found only a series of thatched huts and outdoor benches when he arrived. Now, four years later, seven classrooms have replaced those huts, and a boarding program is in place for their poorest students. Mr. Abaasa has been waiting for years for electricity to begin his evening homework program, and to provide light to the boarders who are forced to be away from their families in order to receive an education. innovation: africa has made this possible with solar technologies. now, each night, the students study and learn together in the light.

Summary: The people of Putti village are poor. They depend on agriculture and livestock for their income, and recent years have been harsh for their community. Together, they built a poultry farm and community center to serve as a new source of income for the village. With solar energy,  innovation: africa provided light in the poultry farm. chickens don’t eat in the dark, so light at night helps to breed a larger flock worth more at local markets. Light in the community center allows the building to serve as a guest house as well. The people of Putti Village are trying to improve.

Summary: When Rebecca and her five children went into their hut each night, there was no light. Without windows or a chimney, burning candles or kerosene lamps was dangerous for their health and safety. The cost of candles and lamps also made them a luxury item, and rebecca could not afford them. Her children could not complete their homework, and the day would end as soon as the sun set, because she and her family were unable to access light. now, innovation: africa has provided solar energy in their home, and rebecca’s children sit together and study for the first time. Rebecca, who never received an education, is learning to read as well, and a family whose day used to end with nightfall now gather, talk and work into the evening.

Summary: The average African woman spends over three hours a day fetching water. This adds up to a total of 1,095 hours per year, or 45 entire days. The water each mother brings home to her family is often unclean, causing over 80% of death and disease in the developing world. And putti village was no different. women and children would spend their days carrying water instead of going to school or earning a living. That is why innovation: africa provided solar power for a water pumping system in the village. Now, 20,000 liters of clean water is pumped each day to serve the village’s cooking, drinking and livestock needs. For the first time, women and children simply walk to the faucet in the center of town and bring home clean, safe and plentiful water for their families.

Summary: 100 years ago, a group of Jews in Putti village converted to Judaism. they are orthodox, strictly observing the sabbath, holidays and all the laws of Kashrut. but they are poor. They have lost eight members of their community to malaria, and many do not have enough food to eat. Still, each friday night, they come together to pray in their synagogue. Without light to read, only the leader chanted, reading by the light of a candle, and the rest of the community would attempt to mumble along. Now, innovation: africa has brought light to their synagogue, and all the members of Putti village can read and sing together for the first time. We have also powered their poultry farm, community center, ten individual homes and a water pumping system. Putti library and synagogue was dedicated by Elisha and Kellie Rothman in memory of Jerry Rothman and Yitzchak Isaac Weinberger.

Summary: Another community of Ugandan jews is located in Namutumba village. Led by Rabbi Eric, who has been studying Judaism since the age of two, they are devoted to their faith and gather each week to pray. Without funding even for candles or kerosene lamps, however, these impoverished Jews were unable to study their religion, to read religious texts or to recite prayers in the evenings. now, with solar power from innovation: africa, they gather each evening to discuss issues facing the community. Women and children come to learn with their husbands and fathers, and for the first time, the synagogue is the center of their Jewish communal life.

Summary: Located over 25km from even the nearest town, no one ever travels to Nawampiti—not even the local government. The people of this isolated village have never seen electricity, never even dreamed of having it. This clinic serves over 30,000 people, and has never issued a single vaccine. Countless numbers of villagers suffer from preventable diseases such as polio, tuberculosis and yellow fever, all because they had no power for a refrigerator to store medicines and vaccines. On the day we arrived to install solar energy, hundreds began lining up. our local manager had explained to them what they could expect, and news of the vaccines that would be made instantly available spread quickly through the village. The very day of our installation, children were already receiving their first ever vaccines, and a community of 30,000 people now has access to proper medical care any time of day.

Summary: KACHO is an HIV/AIDS clinic with over 500 enrolled patients ranging in age from 2 to 60. For years, the facility has provided counseling services to patients suffering from HIV/AIDS, performed initial screenings and administered prophylactic drugs. Because they didn’t have electricity for a refrigerator and lab, they were not accredited by the government and could not administer much needed lifesaving antiretroviral medications. AIDS patients were forced to travel 20km on foot to receive monthly treatment at the nearest accredited facility. Now, with a lab and refrigerator made possible by solar energy, KACHO will be able to offer treatment to the local community, and even perform testing for HIV/AIDS. This will allow for earlier identification of the disease, preventing its spread and providing treatment to those that need it.

Summary: Isolated by the long, rough roads at the foot of Mt. Elgon, Bumadanda primary is located 15 km from the nearest electrical grid. The school’s 13 teachers often stay late into the evenings to help children study for national exams and prepare their lessons at night. With only kerosene lamps for light, however, children and teachers used to strain their eyes to work into the nighttime. The prohibitively high costs of kerosene lamps--nearly 2,000 Ugandan Shillings ($1) per day—was more than the average family’s daily income. Now, with light in their classrooms, these students and teachers will not have to spend the little money they have on unsafe and unsanitary sources of light, and for the first time will have a true opportunity to improve their chance of academic success.

Summary: Budwale health center is run by Dr. Tom Nasufwa. Located over 15km from the nearest town, the clinic is cut off from other villages by rough, mountainous terrain. On our first site visit to the project, Dr. Nasufwa was very clear in his beliefs that solar could save lives. “I wish my health center is considered to have solar power," he said, "in order to save mothers in labor at night." this health center sees over 25 patients a day, many of whom are women seeking maternity services. Nighttime births have always been a problem at Budwale--the faint light of kerosene lamps is insufficient to deal with labor complications, and many lives have been lost as a result. Now, with solar energy, not only can the doctor deliver children and treat patients safely at night, but we have installed a solar powered refrigerator as well. Proper refrigeration will allow the thousands of children in and around Budwale to receive vaccinations against preventable disease, providing them with the opportunity for the long, healthy life they deserve.

Summary: Thornbury Bufumbo health center is the only medical facility for several surrounding mountain villages. It was built to serve those who cannot travel the treacherous 5km road to reach a larger medical facility at the mountain’s base. Head nurse Hajala Zandia offers 24 hour services including medical, antenatal and post natal care, and immunization services twice a week. When asked how they kept the vaccines, nurse zandia told us that they had to pick them up from the government health center. during the rainy season, if the mountain road becomes impassable, children cannot receive their vaccines and remain vulnerable to preventable disease. “We see at least 20 patients everyday” said the nurse, “but our main challenge is a source of light, especially when a mother in labor is brought at night. We have to use candles and lamps which are not only expensive, but the source of light is also poor.” With solar energy installed by innovation: africa, Thornbury Bufumbo health center now has light and a solar refrigerator to store lifesaving vaccines all year round. nurse zandia can now provide vaccines to children seven days a week, and can offer the best possible medical care to her patients at any time of day or year.