"Sonnenenergie für Westafrika e.V." (Solar Energy for Western Africa, short form: "SEWA") is a German non-profit association which is using solar technology to improve the living conditions in Western Africa. In cooperation with our partners in Germany and Burkina Faso we're developing and enhancing solar devices, educating people and providing schools and health centers with electricity - all of this powered by the sun.
Our development goals ...
... are aiming at socioeconomic and ecological questions:
- combating desertification in the Sahel
- improving living conditions by using solar-powered devices
- enhancement and adaption of solar-technological products
- knowledge transfer for the development and production of solar devices
- creation of promising jobs in Western Africa
- education about effective and adapted use of solar energy, also in Europe
- education about development politics (e.g. in schools)
- sensitisation for the problems in the developing countries
cooperation
Beside our partners and donors in Germany we're working closely with companies in Burkina Faso, as the focus of our engagement lies in the transfer of knowledge to ensure and create a sustainable development through our projects.
MICROSOW. This company, founded by Souleymane Sow in Ouagadougou, is our partner for the development and installation of adapted photovoltaic plants. With more than ten qualified employees, the company forms a reliable partner for electrical installations of any kind.
ACOMES. Handicraft and metallurgic businesses like ACOMES are also part of our network of local long-time partners. Owner Lassané Zongo and his employees are not only producing windows and doors for building construction, but also the solar cookers "SK14" and "Papillon", as well as warm water devices for health centers.
APFG (Association Pour La Promotion Feminine de Gaoua). In cooperation with the women organisation APFG from the southern department of Gaoua, we started a project for the distribution of solar cookers.
CEAS. Together with the Centre Ecologique Albert Schweitzer, we implemented courses to improve the production of shea butter.
We're not only cooperating with companies engaged in solar energy. We're also very glad that more and more German schools started supporting us over the last years. This is a win-win-situation: On the one hand, a school in Burkina Faso can be equipped with a solar power plant, on the other hand the German pupils are able to work on complex contemporary topics like energy supply and poverty in the world.
SEWA's work
Our solar devices are assembled in local, independend factorys. Wherever we can, we try to produce most of the parts locally. This - confronted with local peculiarities - makes it easy to quickly customize out high tec devices to fit the needs.
SEWA supports local Organisations with developing marketing concepts and advertising for their products. The direct collaboration between westafrican entrepreneurs and SEWA is supported by our two full time volunteers (German civil service abroad) who are doing a great job for SEWA and for bringing "two worlds" together. For 13 months they live and work in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.
Funding
Most of our work is financed through private donations, bigger projects are assured by offical aid money funds. SEWA is a full charitable organisation - all active working members are working voluntarily (unsalaried).
If you want to support us with a donation please contact us via email (info[at]solar-afrika.de)