Unreliable electricity affects everything from a child’s safety and medical care to a warm meal. This is no longer a daily reality at African Blessings Children’s Village. An impactful collaboration between funders and solar partners has successfully installed a solar energy system at the village, flipping the switch to a brighter future - not only for its children but for the broader community it serves.

Before their solar energy installation, African Blessings Children’s Village, home to vulnerable children and their dedicated foster parents, faced disheartening energy challenges: frequent power outages, unreliable infrastructure, and rising electricity costs. Each blackout disrupted studies, security, healthcare and daily life - the very foundations of care for their children. 

African Blessings relied on a diesel generator costing up to R600 per hour to run. Power failures were common, not just during scheduled load-shedding, but due to weak infrastructure and weather damage.  

“We had to make difficult choices every day,” says Melanie Tymvios of African Blessings. “Do we run the generator and spend precious funds, or do we shut it down and compromise on security, lighting and care? That meant no electric fencing, no security cameras and torchlight care for sick children.”

Better care for more children 

The new solar installation at African Blessings - made possible through funding from the Komatsu Foundation Trust in partnership with Candi Solar and their channel partners, Innova Energy Solutions and Nuvo Energy - has brought more than just electricity. 

The shift to solar has brought much-needed consistency and financial relief. Lights stay on. Security systems stay active. Classrooms stay connected. The village can now deliver uninterrupted, 24-hour care. 

"In today’s world, three fundamentals are needed to be able to live a sustainable and productive life: Electricity, water and internet. With access to all three being so inconsistent in our country, it is important to ensure one's independence in these areas,” explains Sheldon Oosthuizen from the Board of Directors at African Blessings. “With the help of Candi and the Komatsu Foundation Trust, African Blessings Children's Village is one giant step closer to achieving this independence."

The cost savings are substantial, with funds now being redirected toward essentials such as medication, groceries and staff salaries. 

The solar plant also generates additional income that feeds back into better care for more children. It produces between 8,000 and 10,000 kilowatt-hours per month, covering all of the Children’s Village energy needs. Any excess power generated is sold to an affiliated non-profit farm on the property called AfriFarm. 

 Solar power has brought the ability to do more for more children. The village currently has ten completed homes, with two more scheduled to open over the next two years.

Impacting the community

And, the solar power impact extends beyond the children’s village. African Blessings runs a range of outreach initiatives, including a sewing project that is expanding to employ members of the surrounding community as orders increase and a sustainable farming programme. 

Reliable electricity is helping power irrigation systems, water pumps and equipment essential to farming operations. This, in turn, supports food production for the village and teaches critical agricultural skills to residents and local partners.  

As African Blessings continues to grow - welcoming more children, expanding its community programmes and building toward long-term sustainability - this solar installation shows what is possible through meaningful partnerships. When donors invest with purpose, and technology is guided by compassion, the results reach beyond the grid. 

“This initiative is a true reflection of our commitment to ‘walk the talk’ — aligning our operations with the values we stand for. It’s about making a real difference where it matters most,” says Fabio Eucalipto, Co-Founder and Finance Director at Candi Solar.