Through this project the PACE Foundation seeks to invest in renewable energy technology for the new location. The installation of an off-grid photovoltaic system and LED lighting will be the first step towards creating a low-carbon, energy-efficient campus. At its current location, the Foundation does not pay for utilities. Relocation of the programme will therefore result in a significant increase in operational costs, a large portion of which will be for electricity. While the up-front cost of the solar installation and LED lighting is high, it is anticipated to bring immediate financial savings when compared with the cost of fossil fuel based electricity and traditional lighting, with a return on investment within three years. In the long term, these financial savings can be applied to programmatic areas that have a more direct impact on teen mothers.

The new energy efficient facility will provide an enhanced learning environment which should help to reduce the dropout rate of

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teen mothers. Essential to this, will be the construction of private on-site rooms for individual counselling, mentoring, case management and group therapy sessions. Improved, air-conditioned classrooms will provide an environment conducive to the provision of academic support services and career preparation. Through the installation of renewable and energy efficient technologies, we would be able to reduce lighting and cooling costs for the new facility while providing a supportive learning environment in which our students could thrive.

Activities under this project address the importance of implementing mitigation measures to address the potential impacts of climate change on low-lying, small island developing states, like The Bahamas. They also address the high cost of electricity which heavily impacts the operational costs of a school that uses air-conditioning and artificial lighting. Under this project the new energy-saving installations will be utilized to enhance science education at the school. This practical component will help our students, teenage mothers, most of whom are economically disadvantaged, to save money by reducing their household electricity bills. These financial savings can then be redirected to meet other essential living expenses of mother and child.

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