Photo credit: Vincent-Reynaud Lacroze

In West Africa, 9 out of 10 schools do not have electricity. This means that in nearly 200,000 schools, learning conditions are not optimal. Since 2017, Aide et Action has been running a project to electrify public primary schools in Benin, Burkina Faso, Côte d'Ivoire, Guinea, Senegal and Togo, because a well-lit school allows for quality education and can become a resource centre for an entire village.) To date, 151 schools have been electrified thanks to the support of our partners.

Thanks to the electrification of these schools, more than 12,000 pupils and their teachers benefit from a better learning and teaching environment. In addition to the electrification, the schools are equipped with a computer, fans and solar lamps for the children to finish their homework at night. The lighted classrooms also make it possible to organise literacy classes for adults in each village in the evening. Indirectly this project has a strong impact on the whole community in the countries mentioned.

The sun is a sustainable source of energy and the installations are adapted to the environment to ensure their long-term operation. Local craftsmen are trained and responsible for their maintenance. Aide et Action Switzerland has been able to count on the support of many partners to realize this project.

The electrification of schools carried out by Aide et Action Suisse has an impact not only on the education of children but also on the entire community of the villages concerned.

We would like to thank Prime Energy, the Irini Foundation, the communes of Onex, Veyrier and Grand-Saconnex as well as the Fonds Mécénat SIG for their commitment to furthering the cause of education.