SolarSPELL

solar

Overview

SolarSPELL is a portable, solar-powered educational learning library that is becoming an educational “game changer” in remote areas where no internet or reliable electric power exists. In July, 2018, Rumbek Secondary school reported that students were using the SolarSPELL library lab on a daily basis, while teachers were using the library 2-3 times per week.

Recent Progress

In July of 2018, Rumbek Secondary School reported that students were using the SolarSPELL library lab on a daily basis, while teachers were using the library 2-3 times per week.

In July of 2018, Yambio Primary School reported students from all levels are using the SolarSPELL digital library, with the most popular topics being Mathematics, English Language, Science, and Religious Education.

In April of 2018, 30 teachers and 600 students from Juba Girls Secondary School were trained on how to use the SolarSPELL digital library by Mr. Philip Sunday.

In March of 2018, 8 Bridge2Rwanda scholars were selected to be interns to aid teacher trainings, content curation, and in-country school and technical support.

In January of 2018, a group of seven teachers and three administrators from South Sudan traveled to Kigali, Rwanda to participate in a training workshop on the SoalrSPELL digital library.

In January of 2018, SolarSPELL held a Content Curation Workshop with Bridge2Rwanda scholars that resulted in 250+ resources being curated for the East Africa Digital Library.

How It Works

At Empower Kids, every initiative meets an important need for those living in South Sudan.

  • What it is

    SolarSPELL is a very light & rugged portable digital library. One side of the SolarSPELL unit is a solar panel — which supplies 12v of electricity to a storage battery (inside) that powers a server (inside). With SD cards inserted into the server, this device becomes a WiFi “hot spot”, able to transmit up to 50 meters and connect with up to 20 laptops or tablets.

  • Why it's important

    SolarSPELL allows us to engage with schools and students who are situated in remote areas where no electric power or internet exists. The SD cards can be loaded with whatever educational content the school wishes.

  • What next

    Following our initial tests in South Sudan, and working with the Ministry of Education, we hope to “roll-out” SolarSPELL units to as many schools as quickly as funding allows.

Your Support Matters

With your financial support, we can work together to empower a new generation of South Sudanese people — in an effort to establish a much higher level of knowledge as they rebuild their country. 100 cents of every dollar you provide goes directly to our initiatives.

Support the Initiative