All our workshops can be booked on request with a minimum of 2 participants. Full board or self catering accommodation is provided at Napenda Solar Community base located in rural Kajiado County, otherwise known as Masai Land, overlooking the Rift Valley.
Travelers, tourists, high school and university students often want to involve themselves for a few days as part of their overall safari experience in a community service project in Africa that is meaningful, interactive, interesting and educational that changes the lives of poor rural Masai. Our Solar power workshops are a great way to spend a few days getting to know real Africa, learn a few skills, involve yourself in the local Masai culture and change the lives of poor rural communities. From the beginning to the end you are involved in the process, right up to turning on the lights for the first time!
Our solar power workshops are ideal for high school student and university student groups and teens looking for an interactive, practical and educational community service project in rural East Africa. Our teaching methods are adaptable to ensure different age groups from high school student and university student groups are taught in an age related manner. This is an ideal community service project for teens 14 years old and above who want to volunteer for a few days.
2 Day/2 Night Solar Power Workshop Overview
This is a basic introduction into how solar power works. The theory consists of basics of electricity, how solar power, solar panels, batteries and charge controllers work and energy conservation. The practical consists of basic timber and steel fabrication, wiring and assembling a small rural household 12 volt solar power system and installation in the community. This is an intensive 2 day workshop working with Masai community members to ensure the community service project in Africa provides both valuable skills and rich cultural interaction.
4 Day/4 Night Solar Power Workshop Overview
4 day solar power workshop includes the same as the 2 day workshop however covers the theory component in far more detail in addition to introduction to alternative energies including pros and cons of wind power, hydropower, solar heating and solar electricity as well as planning an energy efficient house and energy conservation. The practical consists of basic timber and steel fabrication, wiring and assembling 1-2 small rural household solar power systems and installation in the community. This workshop covers solar power in far more detail with the outcome at the end that you will have the knowledge and skills to design your own solar power system! This 4 day workshop works closely with the Masai community to ensure the community service project in Africa provides both valuable skills and rich cultural interaction.
Tailored Solar Power Workshops 4 Days or More
Same as the 4 day workshop but more intense with the possibility of designing and building bigger systems for schools or clinics also covering special interests i.e. wind power. These workshops are tailored for those with special interests. High school students, university students and teens benefit from these longer tailored courses as it offers enormous opportunity to further develop skills and develop amazing relationships with local masai communities.
2 and 4 day course can also be booked over a longer period to go at a slower pace and simply enjoy our accommodation as a great holiday escape.
All courses are inclusive of at least 1 solar power system to be installed in the community.
For more information contact Debs or Anne by email solar@africaexpeditionsupport.com
Accommodation
We offer accommodation as part of Napenda Solar Community project; self-catered or full board or as a pure holiday destination. The Castle on Champagne Ridge is situated on the edge of the Rift Valley approximately 1 hour drive from Nairobi city and conveniently located between Nairobi and Arusha, Tanzania near the main Namanga highway. At present the guest house is a 3 bedroom house sleeping 6 or can be used as dormitory accommodation for up to 20. There are also 3 cottages. Furthermore there are various holiday houses within a short distance available for larger groups.
The Castle is ideal accommodation for high school students, teens and university student groups as well families and independent travelers.
The guest house is self-sufficient operating entirely on solar power with its own water catchment system.
The area boasts stunning views, peace and quiet, set amongst the Masai community with resident wildlife including zebra, gazelle, hyrax, guinea fowl, francolins, reedbuck, dik dik just to name a few. The area also offers trekking opportunities along edge of the Rift Valley ranging from gentle strolls to challenging bush trekking. It has lately become a hidden gem for mountain bikers.
For more information contact Debs or Anne by email solar@africaexpeditionsupport.com