UN and partners help to power education with solar panel donation

The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) has partnered with religious institutions to provide solar panels that will power much-needed electricity to schools as well as promote the use of renewable energy.

The first solar panels were donated to the Ebrahim Hamim Madrasa and the Islamic Centre of Social Welfare outside of Jalalabad, in the eastern province of Nangarhar, last week.

The solar panels and related equipment will benefit around 570 students, including 350 girls, by powering lights in the school, stated the mission.

Speaking with students and school officials, the head of UNAMA’s Eastern Regional Office, Nahid Abuakar, said the UN understands the significant role that preaching and religious education hold in promotion of peace and human rights among neighbourhoods.

“We enjoy excellent working relations with representatives of religious communities and we hope that this assistance will increase your working capacity in delivering significant services – especially for women – and promote human rights values,” she said.

During the handover of the equipment, the principal of the school, Mawlawi Esrarullah Hamim, said that the support given to the ulamas, or religious scholars, through the donation could also help create a culture of peace.

“Supporting ulamas means supporting peace because our people respect mullahs and religious scholars. They could encourage people to support peace and reconciliation process,” said Mr. Hamim.