In the heart of Kenya's arid northwest lies the sprawling Kakuma refugee camp, home to over 288,000 refugees from countries like South Sudan, Ethiopia, Burundi, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Amidst the challenges, one section of the camp is literally shining brighter, thanks to an inspiring green energy project powered by Chinese solar technology. 🌞
Meet Vasco Hamisi, a father of two who fled the DRC in 2010 and found refuge in Kakuma. Not one to be deterred by circumstances, Hamisi envisioned a future where the camp could harness the abundant sunshine that graces the region year-round. Initially, funding was a hurdle, but in 2018, Hamisi's innovative idea won him a grant of about $275,000 to kickstart his solar power venture.
Enter Okapi Green Energy, Hamisi's brainchild that taps into China's advanced yet affordable solar technology. By partnering with Chinese firm Jinko Solar, he established a 20-kilowatt solar power plant in the camp in 2021. 🚀 Since then, over 150 households and 50 businesses have been connected to clean, reliable electricity.
\"I began looking for a viable solution to supply electricity and discovered that China has developed affordable and reliable technology to convert sunshine into electricity,\" Hamisi shared enthusiastically.
The impact has been nothing short of transformative. Take Desantos Theophile Byizigiro, for instance, a Rwandan refugee who fled his homeland in 1997. He runs a buzzing entertainment spot in the camp. Before solar power, he relied on a noisy, smoky generator that cost him around $15.50 every day. Now, his energy expenses have dropped to just $3.90 daily, and his customers enjoy a cleaner, quieter environment. 🎉
\"The generator produced a lot of smoke and noise which interfered with the comfort of my clients,\" Byizigiro explained. \"Since connecting to the solar grid, my profits have increased, and my patrons are happier.\"
The success of Okapi Green Energy is just the beginning. Hamisi is in talks with Xiamen Hithium Energy Storage Technology Co., Ltd, a leading Chinese battery manufacturer, to expand the plant's capacity to 2.4 megawatts in the coming months. This expansion promises to light up even more lives in Kakuma, empowering refugees with opportunities for business, education, and a better quality of life.
This shining example of renewable energy use is not just about electricity—it's about hope, resilience, and the power of cross-border collaboration to make a real difference. 🌍💡
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
