Build4Hope International
VGI Solar
Power Project
Bringing sustainable power and cooking to an off-grid orphanage in Uganda.
The Challenges at VGI Are Real
Victorious & Graceland Initiative (VGI), an orphanage in Uganda, is working hard to care for vulnerable children. They have no access to electricity, and have a cooking fuel crisis quietly draining their resources.
ZERO
Amount of grid electricity available to VGI. Connecting to the grid, if even possible, would be cost-prohibitive.
567%
More fuel used by VGI's current wood-fired burners compared to eco-cookers, making every meal more expensive than it needs to be.
$5,000
The total one-time cost to solve both problems permanently - solar power and eco-cookers - for VGI.
The Build4Hope Response
Solar Power System ($3,000)
VGI will receive a solar power system scaled to their current and anticipated needs. Solar is the only viable option for their geography, is widely available across Uganda, and can be maintained and expanded locally over time.
Eco-Cookers ($2,000)
VGI's wood-fired burners will be replaced with eco-cookers that use volcanic rock as thermal mass, heated by a small amount of fuel (wood or charcoal), and accelerated by electric fans. The result: meals cooked with 85% less fuel than their current setup—and a technology that, once installed, will last indefinitely.
Local Implementation
Both the solar system and eco-cookers will be sourced and installed by Ugandan vendors and electricians, keeping dollars in the community and ensuring ongoing serviceability.
One-Time Investment, Lasting Impact
Unlike firewood, which is a recurring and growing expense, both upgrades are permanent infrastructure. VGI pays once, the children benefit for years.