Our Crowdfunding Groups
Hey Everyone,
Happy Friday! Chuk here with some great news. Working with the staff at McCombs with special thanks to President Hartzell, Dean Tina Mabley, and our Faculty Advisor Professor. John C Butler - we recently sorted out the disbursement of the donations to the ground team.
I am excited to announce that over the weekend, the Rubitec Solar team, led by Mr. Bolade Soremekun - completed the installation of solar-based street-lights in high traffic areas. Yes, your pre-COVID donations went into making a difference and the community is very grateful for your contributions. Check out the night images below which a stark comparison to images in our last update.
A lot has happened this year and it is euphoric to see the immediate positive impact this effort made on a community living in the dark. As you reflect on all you accomplished in 2020, I hope you will look back and reflect on this moment with pride. We remain incredibly grateful to everyone who supported us along the way. YOU made a difference! And myself, Sam and Chika are grateful for you.
Thank you a million times over. From us to you, stay safe and look out for each other!
Hook 'em,
Chuk, Sam & Chika
Hey Everyone,
Chuk here. First, thank you again for contributing to this Hornraiser's project on rural electrification. We shot a thank-you video pre-break but lots changed on campus that we couldn't send this out on-time. Check it out here. I also would like to share some updates on our efforts so far.
The past few weeks have been crazy but nonetheless, we've managed to keep pushing forward. I was in West Africa for a week over the Spring break to meet and connect with key stakeholders. During this time, I met with the vice-chancellor of the regional university with almost 1,200 students, identified several key locations to install solar street-lights in the community as we committed, and met with Rubitec Solar team in Lagos to lead the effort. I returned just before travel restrictions and lock-down orders.
UT campus has been shut-down; yet working remotely with our Faculty Advisor (Prof. John C Butler), we got the work order approved to install several solar-based street-lights in high traffic areas. Yes, 100% of all contributions are going into making a difference; improving safety and extending post-dawn hours via street illumination for small business owners & households that need to make a living after the sun goes down. It's tough to shed light on the positive social impact this could so I took some images of busy streets at nights (attached).
The COVID-19 pandemic continues to affects our operations and timeline due to a standing 14-day lockdown. We pledge to keep everyone updated as we navigate these challenging times.
YOU made a difference to countless households living in the dark. And myself, Sam and Chika are grateful for you. From us to you, stay safe and look out for each other!
Best,
Chuk, Sam & Chika
At 190 million people, Nigeria is the most populous and largest economy in sub-Saharan Africa but about 45% has access to electricity - ACCESS!!!
The country has the capacity to generate 12GW of electric power from existing plants, but most days is only able to generate about one-fifth of the total power supply of North Carolina.
Those with access to electricity, get about four (4) hours of supply over a 24 hour period! The community, where this project is located, has had no grid electricity in years!
Most households earn less than $2 per day, yet those who can afford off-grid (diesel) generators pay up to 5X more for electricity than in the U.S. Most kids still study with candles and kerosene lamps!
Let's get this done, one community at a time! What happens here changes the world.
