EL CARIBE, NICARAGUA - SOLAR SCHOOL
TRIP DATES: DECEMBER 3 - 11, 2011
The community of El Caribe is located in an ancient volcanic crater in the central part of Nicaragua. The town of El Caribe and the surrounding villages are home to more than 5,000 people living without electricity and access to basic services like health care, secondary education, and phones lines. This very ambitious community has only one 2-room small school for all of its school children. It is common in the rural areas for one teacher to teach multiple grades at the same time, teaching students that can range from 6 to 18 years old all at once.
To get to the elementary school, you must walk up a path along a river that flows in the winter but is often dry in the summer. One of things that struck us the most in this community were the beautiful plants around the school that the teachers and students have planted and take care of - a very good sign that the community takes care of communal resources and cares about its surroundings.
Like many towns in Nicaragua, the community members go to bed around 8pm when the sun goes down because there is no light to see by, no way to read, no way to study, no entertainment or news to watch or listen to. Just like the rest of us, the people in El Caribe would like to have access to information, entertainment, communication, and other appliances and tools which will help them live a more healthy, aware, comfortable, and just life.
In December 2011, ten Power to the People volunteers from the US and Canada installed a 900W photovoltaic system on the elementary school bringing lights and AC power to the school 24/7. The system also included a PV battery charging station, allowing community members to charge car or deep-cycle batteries at the school and take them home to have lights and power in their houses. Great job Team El Caribe!
For more photos of the project, please click here.
Thank you for your interest and support!
El Caribe elementary school
Volcanic crater where El Caribe is located
Trojan T-105 battery carried by community member on horse
SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS OF THIS PROJECT:
"I would recommend a P2P trip to anyone in a heartbeat. I had a fascinating experience and learned so much about solar, humanity, and our world in general. The trip was the highlight of my year and marked an inspirational beginning for the next year. Thanks to all of the P2P team who have made this trip so memorable!"
- Jessica from San Francisco, Calif.
PHOTOS OF EL CARIBE
Volunteers with module on roof
Community members
Volunteer teaching kids about solar energy
Field in El Caribe
Girl power!
Road to El Caribe
Faces in tree