The SoJones positive: Akon saves Africa
Now that hip hop is at a full time level of buffoonery, we want to bring attention to someone who is working to make the world a better place. You know that Akon has been busy being a philanthropist and more, so let’s just give the man props galore! According to Reuters-
Akon continues to be the hero Africa needs.
LONDON (Thomson Reuters Foundation) – Senegalese-American singer Akon, whose Akon Lighting Africa initiative aims to bring electricity to some of the 600 million Africans who lack it, announced on Thursday the launch of a new “Solar Academy” for the continent.
The institution, scheduled to open this summer in Bamako, Mali’s capital, will try to give African engineers and entrepreneurs the skills needed to develop solar power. European experts will help supply training equipment and programs.
The academy will aim to teach people how to install and maintain solar-powered electricity systems as well as micro grids, “which are really taking off in rural Africa”, Akon Lighting Africa said.
Africa has 320 days of sunshine a year, the organization said in a statement, so harnessing solar energy is an ideal way to enable those without electricity to get it.“We have the sun and innovative technologies to bring electricity to homes and communities. We now need to consolidate African expertise,” said Samba Baithily, who founded Akon Lighting Africa with Akon and Thione Niang.
Seventy percent of Africans are under 35, and creating sustainable jobs is vital, the group said, so investing in solar power for the future can help in more ways than one.
“We expect the Africans who graduate from this center to devise new, innovative, technical solutions,” said Niang. “With this Academy, we can capitalize on Akon Lighting Africa and go further.”
The group announced the launch of the academy at the second United NationsSustainable Energy for All Forum in New York.
Now isn’t that awesome? We always knew that Akon was kind of like Stevie Boi, moving around the world and saving kids with knowledge and more jewels. That is why we hope to have Emaximus hanging out with more of the millionaires that can really make a difference when it comes to learning about how to help people. So how will the kids learn about Solar Energy? If they can’t attend Jobtrain to do it in Menlo Park, then they are with Uncle Akon to learn:
Akon reigns supreme with SoJones.
According to Akon Lighting Africa, the goal of the academy is to teach people how to maintain solar-powered electricity systems and microgrids. Both systems have been growing quickly in rural parts of Africa. In a continent that has 320 days of sun a year, roping in its natural resources will be valuable to the solar-energy efforts.
“We have the sun and innovative technologies to bring electricity to homes and communities. We now need to consolidate African expertise,” said Samba Baithily, who founded Akon Lighting Africa with Akon and Thione Niang.
The organization also hopes to create jobs with its initiative.
“We expect the Africans who graduate from this center to devise new, innovative, technical solutions,” said Niang. “With this academy, we can capitalize on Akon Lighting Africa and go further.”
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