Giakonda Solar Schools

Giakonda Solar Schools was registered with the Charity Commission on 12th September 2016 as Charity number 1169138.
We began our volunteering work with a visit to Zambia in January 2015.

Trustees

The trustees are Howard Kirkman, Wendy Kirkman, Malcolm Boorer, Sue Saines, Andy Saines and Liza Leibowitz.

Howard Kirkman

Howard started his working life as a research chemist before retraining as a secondary school teacher. When computers were introduced in UK schools in the 1980s , he was made Head of Computing as he was the only teacher who had used one before! He was part of a working party developing the curriculum for ICT and oversaw the introduction of the subject into school. He was also a government inspector for ICT in schools in Wales. He has run IT companies and knows the skills needed for young people looking to make a career in computer technology.

Wendy Kirkman

Wendy was a computer programmer for several years and then a primary school teacher. She fell into volunteering in Zambia by accident and loved the country and its people from the start. Latterly she has used her IT skills for web design and support for Giakonda Solar Schools.

Malcolm Boorer

Malcolm Boorer has undertaken international development work as both a volunteer in Africa and as consultant with UN Habitat, and is an experienced documentary filmmaker. His films can be viewed at
https://www.youtube.com/user/MalFromWales

Susan Saines

 Sue Saines is the founder of The Paperwork People.  She realised there was a need in the local community for a different approach in the provision of services for Wills, Powers of Attorney, Estate Administration support and that the local community, particularly the older population, needed a place to go to help them solve day to day problems. She brings a great deal of experience in legal matters.

Andrew Jon Saines

Andy is a Property Developer from Porthcawl with wide experience in finance. He is also married to Sue.

Liza Leibowitz

Liza is a law graduate at present working with Students at Nottingham University. As a Zambian national, her awareness of the country and its culture are invaluable to our charity.

Purpose

Our purpose is to further the education of children and adults, particularly in the field of computers, computer science and related subjects. In rural communities where there is no grid power, we supply and install  solar power equipment. This  provides the necessary infrastructure for computer systems and  LED lighting.
We carry out this work mainly in Zambia but we have helped and advised groups working in other parts of Africa and in the wider world (see below).

In 2017 we  also took part in the BBC DIYSOS  project. It involve building and equipping a home for care leavers  in Swansea, Wales for the Roots Foundation. We donated and installed laptops, PCs and routers.

See our registration details here

Giakonda Solar Schools Zambia

In December 2018 we were officially recognised as an international NGO in Zambia. Our board members are Howard Kirkman, Wendy Kirkman, Victoria Kirkman, Peter Nyumbu and Milimo Muyanga (Milz).  Since then we have also welcomed onboard Liza Leibowitz, Florence Mwembe, Esnely Mwembe and Daiel Mangwende. Our registration number is RNGO101/0928/2018

Links

We are always keen to help other charities in any way we can. We have supplied refurbished laptops and Raspberry Pi computers to Linden Church Trust, Friends of Monze and Heshima.