This project will provide solar hot water in a children's center in Antananarivo, Madagascar. The children will be able to take hot showers, which are not available at home. The hot water will also serve two studio apartments which are rented out to visitors and provide a revenue stream to the center.
Akany Tafita Children's Center offers support to local children in Antananarivo by providing one large midday meal, basic education and vocational training. But with Antananarivo situated at over 7,000ft in altitude, it is quite daunting for the children to take cold water showers. With hot water unavailable at home, the children rarely bathe properly. In addition, washing up dishes and heavily soiled laundry are currently more onerous , using only cold water.
By installing a solar hot water system, the children will be able to take regular warm showers, and avoid some of the discomfort and diseases associated with poor hygienic conditions and the basic tasks of dish washing and laundry will be easier. Finally, the water will be heated by renewable energy, thereby avoiding the climate change implications of using conventional fuel.
As Antananarivo has around 250 clear sunny days per year, hot water at the children's center will be readily available. We expect the children to greatly enjoy bathing in the new warm showers and include this increased level of personal cleanliness as part of their transition to adulthood. Additionally, the solar hot water will serve two studio apartments which are rented out to visitors. These recently built units are a key element in providing a regular revenue stream for the center.
