Technology Without Borders

Solar-Powered Kindergarten in Drobo, Ghana

About the Project

Without electricity, technology remains just theory. With solar energy, it becomes reality - opening doors for the children of the African Future Kids Academy in Drobo, Ghana. For a school in Germany, electricity is a given. Without it, there would be no lights, no computer labs, no printed learning materials, no machines in workshops, and no proper kitchen. But for the African Future Kids, this is everyday life. The kindergarten, which includes an elementary school and occasional evening classes for adults, is located in Drobo near Sunyani. Under the leadership of Stephen Takyi, a TeoG member, the African Future Kids e.V. association has created a place of learning and development for more than 100 children - a place that continues to grow. For these children, it’s a space for education, community, and opportunity. They learn English, Twi, math, and even basic technology and computer skills - though until now, only in theory. To make this and other aspects of school life truly effective, a reliable power supply is essential. Connecting to the unstable public grid would not only be expensive but also come with high ongoing costs. For a school that relies on monthly donations to cover teacher salaries, learning materials, and meals, this would be a heavy burden and make operations much harder. That’s why Stephen and the Amberg-Weiden regional group developed a concept for an autonomous solar power system and implemented it together with the Rotary Club Amberg. After extensive preparation, the project kicked off on-site in October 2025. Working with the Sunyani regional group, a self-sufficient solar system with 4.5 kWp of electrical power and matching battery storage was installed. The electrical installation in the kindergarten was also upgraded so that every room, the courtyard, and the outdoor areas are now safely powered and lit - protecting the children from electrical hazards. At the heart of the system are ten recycled PV modules from a solar park near Amberg, a Victron inverter with battery management, lead-acid battery storage, and a new distribution panel. The system was preconfigured in Germany, shipped, and installed in Drobo. Now that the system is up and running, the focus is on making the most of it. Refurbished laptops were brought in to set up a computer lab. With electricity, a small workshop can be equipped, the kitchen expanded, and evening classes introduced - giving adults and older children access to education. It also simplifies the administrative side of running the school. Our solar project is a crucial step and the foundation for further development and educational initiatives in Drobo.