DOWA, Malawi — Five rural schools in Malawi that have never had access to electricity are now illuminated by solar power, thanks to the Sukulu Ziwale Project, a cross-sector initiative that is transforming learning conditions for hundreds of students who previously had no way to study after dark, writes Winston Mwale.
The project, implemented by Orant Charities Africa, has installed solar lighting systems in three primary schools and two community day secondary schools within the Kasese health centre catchment area — remote communities where grid electricity remains unavailable and poor lighting has long undermined teaching, learning and examination preparation.
The beneficiary schools — Katalima, Bweya and Chimwendo primary schools, along with Tchale and Ngala community day secondary schools — were selected based on their lack of electricity access, high enrollment numbers, limited learning infrastructure and demonstrated need for extended study hours.
For students preparing for national examinations, the impact is immediate and tangible.
“Students have expressed excitement about being able to study after sunset,” said Lester Mwalwenje, Orant Charities Africa’s energy and environment program manager.
“Teachers appreciate the improved working conditions, and communities view the project as a meaningful investment in their children’s future.”
Teachers can now conduct remedial lessons and complete administrative work after dark — tasks that were previously impossible or required expensive and environmentally harmful alternatives such as candles or paraffin lamps.
The project represents a deliberate intersection of two of Orant Charities Africa’s core programs.
The organisation’s Education Program identified the teaching and learning gaps, while its Energy and Environment Program delivered the clean energy solution.
“Orant Charities Africa’s programs are holistic, and the Sukulu Ziwale Project is a practical example of cross-program collaboration,” Mwalwenje said.
“Together, the programs promote sustainable development by improving education access while reducing reliance on environmentally harmful energy sources.”
The installation process involved site assessments, system design, mounting of solar panels, battery installation, internal wiring and commissioning.
Community members and school management committees were engaged throughout to ensure local ownership and long-term sustainability.
The initiative received a significant boost from the Moving Windmills Organisation, which donated 129 solar panels that proved instrumental in scaling the project across all five schools.
The donation reflects a growing trend of collaborative philanthropy in Malawi’s development sector, where organisations pool resources to maximise impact in underserved communities.
Malawi’s rural electrification rate remains among the lowest in sub-Saharan Africa, leaving thousands of schools without reliable power and forcing students to abandon their studies when the sun sets — typically around 6 p.m. year-round due to the country’s proximity to the equator.
The Sukulu Ziwale Project offers a replicable model for addressing this challenge, demonstrating that targeted solar installations in high-need schools can yield immediate educational dividends without waiting for costly grid expansion.
Mwalwenje said there is already a strong sense of ownership and pride surrounding the installations in the five communities, a factor the organisation considers essential for the long-term sustainability of the systems.
As Malawi continues to grapple with education quality challenges and energy poverty, initiatives like Sukulu Ziwale suggest that the solutions to both problems may be found under the same roof — and powered by the same sun.
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