Project Summary:
The overall objective of this project is to continue reducing carbon dioxide emissions as we have done right from the inception of Nyumbani Village. Climate protection is core to the Village concept.

Currently the amount of carbon emission per year from the use of petrol and diesel alone is 19,737.6 of carbon through generation of electricity. By using solar for this project we have presented, the extra carbon emissions we would generate using a diesel run pumping system and a generator for the Clinic will be avoided.

The specific objective of the project is to upgrade the existing photovoltaic power station available so that it can be able to power-.
? Clinic laboratory operations
? Construction of a water pond and installation of a pump to harness if irrigation of greenhouses.
? Construction of 4 green houses
? Purchase of 4 water tanks of 10,000 litres capacity
? Renovate solar street light system
Nyumbani Village is a simulated Village that began in 2006, registered by the Government of Kenya, with the key objective of providing care and support to double orphans under the stewardship of destitute elderly grandparents. The location of Nyumbani Village is a three hour drive away, approximately 160 km from Nairobi. From Kwa Vonza junction it is a stretch of 10 km accessible in all weather conditions. Children within the Village receive psychosocial support, high quality clinical nursing and counseling, spiritual guidance and both educational support and vocational training. In addition to clinical and psychosocial support, the caregivers also receive training and support on income generating activities (IGA). The latter is expected to contribute towards the establishment of a self-sustaining, community based residential village which is the Government of Kenya goal for all charitable institutions. In August 2011, an assessment of the Village was carried out by external consultants. The highlights include the overall satisfaction of service provision by beneficiaries and efforts in achieving sustainability.
Nyumbani Village is located in an area of Kitui County, not yet reached by rural development.
Water is obtained through boreholes and rainwater harvesting, with limited access to the public water supply. Regarding energy access, the vision of the Village is to use solar power energy. Access has been partially overcome with the commissioning of a 44,280 KW photovoltaic power station plant designed and built by Energia sin Fronteras facilitated by our partner in Spain. This initiative has contributed significantly to environmental protection. This plant provides power for lighting of the family houses, administration block, Vocational Training Centre and guest house. It also pumps water for the irrigation system. The clinic and schools have their own solar systems. Unfortunately, the solar power systems are not enough and periodically we have to use generators powered by diesel for some operations. We have a solar street light system which needs renovation.

Sadly of late we have noted that the solar power available is not enough to support the equipment in the Clinic Laboratory and to pump water for irrigation. The Laboratory equipment needs to be continuously powered. The recent fluctuation of power is worrying because it can affect clinical testing in the laboratory. The only solution at the moment is to use a generator. Irrigation is also a key component to the success of Nyumbani Village sustainability because of its location in a semi-arid area. It is imperative for the Village to become food sufficient with the huge number of beneficiaries being cared for. If we succeed in becoming food secure and also earning income from the sale of the surplus we shall have made the management of this population easier, helped reduced the food budget and so be closer to self-sustainability. The solar street light system serves as a protection for the families living in the Village and for equipment and assists security guards in their night patrol to ensure that the Village is safe.

In an effort to combat the hostile environment and over-reliance on rain fed agriculture which fails year after year, we are gradually shifting into greenhouse farming which has so far proved successful. We have observed that green houses use can now maximize yields while using less water, farming space and less pesticides. The perennial crop failure can be mitigated by this greenhouse revolution that ensures that farming continues in spite of the weather. Crops are also known to mature in a shorter period and the quality after picking is better too. Greenhouses are also built parallel to the wind direction to ensure plants are not ruined by the rough winds. We currently have 14 greenhouses but to be able to produce more food to feed this huge population we require more greenhouses. We now need to open one more acre under greenhouse farming. To irrigate these additional greenhouses we need water tanks and pump to avail water to them. Rather than use a diesel generator, we are seeking to use solar pumps.