CLEAN ENERGY IN JOLOWEZO VILLAGE

Changemaker: Chris Mwale

Country of Implementation: Malawi

Deep in the valleys and mountains of Rumphi District, Jolowezo village in Malawi, 4 teachers taking care of over 85 primary school students share the same reality as over 70% of Malawians who are living without electricity. By candlelight, when it is available, they prepare what to teach the following day and walk to the tallest hills to access the mobile network. Their students fare even worse; they cannot study at night without electricity and, still, they compete with far better-equipped peers in the city. In a world where people are judged by their papers, their fate is tragic at best. A group of 13 college students with a small start-up called Imajinet decided to help. Imajinet not only builds clean, local wind turbines but also installs solar technology. This school was chosen based on its location and need -- surrounded by hills and valleys, grid power is not likely to be in the area for the next 30 years. Though blessed with fertile land, forestry terrain, and beautiful streams, many desert it for the city. These young people are determined to preserve the natural beauty of Jolowezo village while affording young school children the electricity supply needed to complete their studies. Community leaders, chiefs, and teachers have engaged with and welcomed the project, the first phase of which is due to run from 3 March 2021 to 29 April 2021, involving the installation of electricity. It will include powering the primary school, teacher’s houses, as well as a few houses nearby the school, and will also include motivational sessions with the students during implementation.