Solar Power for our school in Uganda!
Donation protected
Turn sunshine into power for Lukodi’s school computers
Turning on a computer shouldn't be that difficult. Except if you don't have any reliable power supply.

Most rural schools in Uganda don't have mains electricity or any other reliable power, leaving them cut off from learning about modern technology. So while the education world is awash with talk about technology and keeping up with the global race, many children at school in Uganda don't even get on the starting grid.
The Road to Gulu Project aims to use the abundant equatorial sunshine to power up the newly built computer room at Lukodi Education Centre, Gulu Region, Uganda.
By providing a solar power system to run the computer room at Lukodi Education Centre, schools from around the district will have permanent access to technology. It's a relatively low-tech answer to a hi-tech gap.
The solar power system will allow the pupils to have computer lessons lasting several hours, reaching about 1,200 students and teachers.

Most students in Lukodi have never visited the capital city, Kampala, six hours drive away; or even seen the animals at the game park only 2 hours drive away. But computers and the internet will allow teachers and students from rural Uganda access to the outside world, and even parts of their own country!
It's not that the teachers and children are unaware of technology and the internet, but apart from the education centre they cannot get their hands on it.
With your help, children will be able to tap away on educational learning programs, much as they would anywhere else in the world. Except in Uganda, an orange headed lizard sits on the fence watching them work.

Felix Ocan, our computer teacher in Lukodi, says computer lessons are essential for the future job chances of these rural children. "If children have these skills they won't be left behind."
These children and young adults will be severely disadvantaged if they have never even taken their first steps in touching a computer.
"Computer skills are very rare in this community," says Everlyn Lakeraber, a teacher at Lukodi Education Centre. “Without electricity, there is even no computer in the school office or anywhere else for the staff to train.”
Uganda has year-round sunshine and there's solar energy even on an overcast day; so this is something that is reliable, self-reliant and works.
Want to help turn sunshine into power for Lukodi’s school computers?
Lukodi is a lush, quiet village, sixteen kilometres from the town of Gulu. Many of these children are likely to have to follow the path of migration from the rural villages into the towns and cities to look for work.
When children leave school and begin working, they will have to compete with people all over the world. Without prior introduction to computers, families in the community fear their children will have nowhere to begin.

“We're preparing the next generation to know how to use computers,” says Angela Driver, a self-funded Australian volunteer and co-founder of the not-for-profit organisation, Lukodi Development Foundation.
“Power outages often last several days and so classes are constantly having to be cancelled.” When a child walks for around an hour to get to the centre it is very disheartening to be sent back home again.

It isn't just about schools. Technology and the internet will be an important part of helping the local community to improve health and education services. It will give them information that other people take for granted.
Uganda faces a huge challenge in providing skills for a population that is rising at a staggering rate. When the country gained independence in 1962, the population was eight million. In 2019, it has more than quadrupled to 36 million.
Only about one in four currently gets a place in secondary school. So what will all these young people do to try and scratch out a living?
There are already more under 18 year-olds in the country than there are adults. Without the education and skills that could help them get work, it's going to raise big challenges for political stability.

It is our hope, that children trying out their solar-powered computer room in rural Lukodi will have the same opportunities as Kampala city kids – an empowered future with prospects.

How can you help?
Please make a donation to assist us to purchase a solar powered system that allows the computer room and office at Lukodi Education Centre to run 24/7.
The cost is AUD$6,000 for a basic solar powered system. If we raise more, we can provide a larger solar powered system for the entire compound (the education centre, staff quarters and the kindergarten).
Thank you for your support of education in Lukodi, Gulu Region, Uganda.
The children and families appreciate all that you are doing for them.
By giving power, you will empower the children of Lukodi to succeed in their education.
Want to learn more about The Road to Gulu Project and what we do on the ground in Uganda?
Visit our website www.roadtogulu.org

COMMENTS FROM SPONSORED STUDENTS IN THE COMMUNITY:
"Thank you for your support for us."
"Please do not forget about us."
"I could not be in school without my sponsor."
"God bless you for helping us."
"Thank you, Australia!"
Turning on a computer shouldn't be that difficult. Except if you don't have any reliable power supply.
Most rural schools in Uganda don't have mains electricity or any other reliable power, leaving them cut off from learning about modern technology. So while the education world is awash with talk about technology and keeping up with the global race, many children at school in Uganda don't even get on the starting grid.
The Road to Gulu Project aims to use the abundant equatorial sunshine to power up the newly built computer room at Lukodi Education Centre, Gulu Region, Uganda.
By providing a solar power system to run the computer room at Lukodi Education Centre, schools from around the district will have permanent access to technology. It's a relatively low-tech answer to a hi-tech gap.
The solar power system will allow the pupils to have computer lessons lasting several hours, reaching about 1,200 students and teachers.
Most students in Lukodi have never visited the capital city, Kampala, six hours drive away; or even seen the animals at the game park only 2 hours drive away. But computers and the internet will allow teachers and students from rural Uganda access to the outside world, and even parts of their own country!
It's not that the teachers and children are unaware of technology and the internet, but apart from the education centre they cannot get their hands on it.
With your help, children will be able to tap away on educational learning programs, much as they would anywhere else in the world. Except in Uganda, an orange headed lizard sits on the fence watching them work.
Felix Ocan, our computer teacher in Lukodi, says computer lessons are essential for the future job chances of these rural children. "If children have these skills they won't be left behind."
These children and young adults will be severely disadvantaged if they have never even taken their first steps in touching a computer.
"Computer skills are very rare in this community," says Everlyn Lakeraber, a teacher at Lukodi Education Centre. “Without electricity, there is even no computer in the school office or anywhere else for the staff to train.”
Uganda has year-round sunshine and there's solar energy even on an overcast day; so this is something that is reliable, self-reliant and works.
Want to help turn sunshine into power for Lukodi’s school computers?
Lukodi is a lush, quiet village, sixteen kilometres from the town of Gulu. Many of these children are likely to have to follow the path of migration from the rural villages into the towns and cities to look for work.
When children leave school and begin working, they will have to compete with people all over the world. Without prior introduction to computers, families in the community fear their children will have nowhere to begin.
“We're preparing the next generation to know how to use computers,” says Angela Driver, a self-funded Australian volunteer and co-founder of the not-for-profit organisation, Lukodi Development Foundation.
“Power outages often last several days and so classes are constantly having to be cancelled.” When a child walks for around an hour to get to the centre it is very disheartening to be sent back home again.
 It isn't just about schools. Technology and the internet will be an important part of helping the local community to improve health and education services. It will give them information that other people take for granted.
Uganda faces a huge challenge in providing skills for a population that is rising at a staggering rate. When the country gained independence in 1962, the population was eight million. In 2019, it has more than quadrupled to 36 million.
Only about one in four currently gets a place in secondary school. So what will all these young people do to try and scratch out a living?
There are already more under 18 year-olds in the country than there are adults. Without the education and skills that could help them get work, it's going to raise big challenges for political stability.
 It is our hope, that children trying out their solar-powered computer room in rural Lukodi will have the same opportunities as Kampala city kids – an empowered future with prospects.
How can you help?
Please make a donation to assist us to purchase a solar powered system that allows the computer room and office at Lukodi Education Centre to run 24/7.
The cost is AUD$6,000 for a basic solar powered system. If we raise more, we can provide a larger solar powered system for the entire compound (the education centre, staff quarters and the kindergarten).
Thank you for your support of education in Lukodi, Gulu Region, Uganda.
The children and families appreciate all that you are doing for them.
By giving power, you will empower the children of Lukodi to succeed in their education.
Want to learn more about The Road to Gulu Project and what we do on the ground in Uganda?
Visit our website www.roadtogulu.org
COMMENTS FROM SPONSORED STUDENTS IN THE COMMUNITY:
"Thank you for your support for us."
"Please do not forget about us."
"I could not be in school without my sponsor."
"God bless you for helping us."
"Thank you, Australia!"
Organizer
Gillian Cottrell
Organizer
Elwood VIC
