Empowering Youth with Solar Power Initiative

Empowering Youth with Solar Power Initiative

One of our greatest challenges in Liberia is reliable electricity. We are connected to a grid in our community, but the main transformer has had several power outages and surges that force us to use our backup generator. This increases our monthly electricity expenses and damaged some of our equipment. 

In January 2018, we visited one of our supporters at Maddy and Harri Wegner’s farm in Carver, Minnesota. Harri installed 150 solar panels and this supports his farming operation.  Our Liberian team–Kelvin Fomba, Dominic Siafa, and Dauda Dassin joined via Google Hangout. His solar panels are part of the grid, and he sells solar energy to the electrical company. He shared his knowledge about solar and how it is better to be on a grid instead of a battery pack because the latter loses more energy. He mentioned that micro-grids could be an option to take advantage of more efficient energy use.

Heather Cannon with Harri as he explained the solar panel installation

On June 22, we held our strategic planning meeting, and solar became our number one priority. Our goal is not only to install solar panels at our center in Liberia but also to certify and train our electrician students and recent graduates to be technicians in this renewable energy field. If you having any contacts working with solar panels, please connect them with us. Thank you!

Become a Classroom Hero and DONATE today to support the vocational training of Liberia Youth!

Young Electricians Learning to Light the World

Young Electricians Learning to Light the World

Do you ever wonder what it is like to go days, weeks, or months without electricity? We flip the switch multiple times a day and don’t think twice about how much electricity improves our lives. It provides the necessary light to read books, work on homework assignments, entertain friends after the sun sets, and so much more.

According to the International Energy Agency Database, more people over the last two decades have gained access to electricity, especially in China and India. On the other hand, there are still over a billion people without electricity, primarily in Sub-Sahara Africa. In some cases, like in Liberia, the electricity is unreliable so people either go without or rely on expensive, noisy, and air-polluting generators.

Our students see the value of this trade in improving the lives of the people around them. They come to class each day ready to put their skills to work in our lab. Their instructor, Dominic Siafa, and teacher’s aide (TA), Boakai Dillion (2018 Graduate), find contacts to take the students out in the field. This gives them a chance to have real experience and gain the confidence needed to succeed in this field.

The students you support are eager to learn and apply their skills!

Dominic (instructor) is dealing with an ongoing health issue this year. He recommended Boakai to be his teacher’s assistant because he not only understands the craft of an electrician but also possesses a natural talent to teach. Dominic gives Boakai directions with the weekly curriculum and any other support. His mentorship is paying off because Boakai is building up his profession as an electrician and gives our students an example of what they can strive for.

You helped build this lab in 2017 and the students love it!

As you can see, your generosity is providing the necessary resources for our students to apply their skills during each class. This prepares them to hit the ground running when they graduate. Thank you for being their Classroom Hero!

The Rock Insurance Agency Sponsors VocTech Student

The Rock Insurance Agency Sponsors VocTech Student

We are grateful to meet with Chris Lohrey who founded The Rock Insurance Agency to support causes in Liberia. He recently sponsored an electrician student, Joshua M. Jackson, who completed our assessment test earlier this year but could not raise the funds to attend. He dropped out of school in the eighth grade but knows the value of learning a trade to help him be self-sufficient.

Chris shared in his recent newsletter why supporting young people in Liberia matters:

“We believe in not only elevating living conditions in Liberia but also education so people like Joshua can improve their own living conditions through skill and knowledge. We are so proud to be a part of his journey!”
The Rock Insurance Agency is committed to providing their clients with high-quality products. I switched auto insurance in March because he could lower my monthly premiums significantly. Please read his company’s mission and learn about how you can make a difference by asking for a quote today. Visit http://therockinsure.com or call 952-222-3486 for more information.

Thank you, Chris and The Rock Insurance Agency for sponsoring Joshua and becoming his Classroom Hero!