Eighty teachers in Bugesera district have received solar panels to help them light their homes and effectively prepare for lessons. The package worth Rwf1,680,000, was donated to them by Rotary International Rwanda in collaboration with Vision for Hope Rwanda and Green Hills Academy on Saturday.

Joseph Lyada, the executive secretary of Hope Rwanda, urged the beneficiaries to use the solar to improve their quality of work.

"The panels are meant to light your homes so that you can prepare your schemes of work and lesson plans in time. We need you to use them properly to improve your output,” Lyada said.

But for Jill Fenton, the representative of Rotary International Rwanda, the power will also go a long way in preventing some diseases.

"I know it is not easy for everyone to get electricity and that is why you were using candles and paraffin to light your homes despite the risk of catching respiratory diseases. Now with solar panels, that risk can be avoided,” he noted.

The boost is also expected to improve the performance of learners in the area.

Julius Rukundo, the vice mayor for finance in Bugesera district, said the panels will help teachers to work in a better environment and improve grades.

"You should use these panels to improve your knowledge and skills,” Rukundo said, adding that they want to partner with successful schools like Green Hills Academy to learn how to improve the quality of education.

Teachers excited

Emile Nzeyimana, a teacher at Mbuye Primary School in Juru Sector, said the power will help him reduce on the time spent at school.

"We have been staying at school till late because of lack of electricity at home. Instead of going home early to rest like others, we would stay behind (at school) to prepare for the next day’s lessons,” Nzeyimana revealed.

Another beneficiary Elias Ndimubanzi said solar power will improve his financial status since he will be able to save money that was originally spent on paraffin and lamps.

"I used to hire a mobisol lamp at Rwf500 everyday to enable me prepare for the next day’s class. Sometimes I could not afford it forcing me to either stay behind till night or wake up very early in the morning and rush to do it from school. This was sometimes inconveniencing,” Ndumubanzi explained.

Claudette Mukamuhoza, however, hopes to acquire more knowledge through reading at night.

"Teachers must be more knowledgeable than their students and this can only be achieved by reading everyday. But with no electricity, it was impossible to sustain,” she said.