Volunteer projects

Power Up Gambia

Submitted by kmcunnin on Wed, 12/26/2007 - 13:29.
Last updated on Sat, 10/11/2008 - 08:33.

Vital Stats

 ongoing project
 10/01/2006
  20000
 30
 $360,000

Project Video

The Problem

Power Up Gambia is a unique organization with a specific goal: to provide electricity to hospitals and clinics in The Gambia, West Africa through solar energy. This organization was founded by Kathryn Cunningham Hall as a junior at the University of Pennsylvania in October 2006. While volunteering at the Sulayman Junkung General Hospital, Kathryn witnessed staff struggling to serve the local population because of a lack of continuous electricity. Imagine going to a hospital and finding that there were no lights, no running water, and no refrigeration for blood or vaccines. After seeing an infant die because an incubator could not be powered, she decided something needed to be done.

Why It's Important

Upon returning to the United States, Kathryn founded Power Up Gambia with the mission of providing electricity to this hospital. Using solar energy turned out to be the most logical choice. With lots of help, Kathryn started to fundraise. The goal - $300,000. After two years of hard work, Power Up Gambia had the funds. To see where we are in the installation process check out www.powerupgambia.org Throughout the two years of fund-raising, Power Up Gambia recognized that the problem with lack of electricity extends beyond the hospital. PUG has recently expanded its mission to help other clinics and hospitals in The Gambia. Maybe one day we can spread this model to other countries too.

The Plan Of Action

Kathryn knew she couldn't take on this challenge all by herself. Instead, she formed a board of directors (a group that gets together frequently to share ideas about fundraising and the project). Then, the board found a fiscal sponsor (an organization that helps take care of the money). Applying for a 501(c)3 would take too long at this point. With a group of people to help spread the message, a reliable place to put donations, and soon after a brochure.... we were off. To see what impact we have had in The Gambia (this is the most important thing!) check out our website under 'Projects.' There are some great pictures too.

How Can Others Get Involved?

More information about Power Up Gambia can be found at: www.powerupgambia.org

Project Updates

No updates found!

Location

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Is this a...: 
ongoing project
Video (optional): 
DoSomething Award Winner?: 
Yes
How many people are directly involved in your project? : 
30
How many people has your project helped? : 
20000

Location(s)

Wilmington, DE, 19899
See map: Google Maps
What's the problem you are trying to solve?: 
Power Up Gambia is a unique organization with a specific goal: to provide electricity to hospitals and clinics in The Gambia, West Africa through solar energy. This organization was founded by Kathryn Cunningham Hall as a junior at the University of Pennsylvania in October 2006. While volunteering at the Sulayman Junkung General Hospital, Kathryn witnessed staff struggling to serve the local population because of a lack of continuous electricity. Imagine going to a hospital and finding that there were no lights, no running water, and no refrigeration for blood or vaccines. After seeing an infant die because an incubator could not be powered, she decided something needed to be done.
Why is it important to you?: 
Upon returning to the United States, Kathryn founded Power Up Gambia with the mission of providing electricity to this hospital. Using solar energy turned out to be the most logical choice. With lots of help, Kathryn started to fundraise. The goal - $300,000. After two years of hard work, Power Up Gambia had the funds. To see where we are in the installation process check out www.powerupgambia.org Throughout the two years of fund-raising, Power Up Gambia recognized that the problem with lack of electricity extends beyond the hospital. PUG has recently expanded its mission to help other clinics and hospitals in The Gambia. Maybe one day we can spread this model to other countries too.
What's your plan of action?: 
Kathryn knew she couldn't take on this challenge all by herself. Instead, she formed a board of directors (a group that gets together frequently to share ideas about fundraising and the project). Then, the board found a fiscal sponsor (an organization that helps take care of the money). Applying for a 501(c)3 would take too long at this point. With a group of people to help spread the message, a reliable place to put donations, and soon after a brochure.... we were off. To see what impact we have had in The Gambia (this is the most important thing!) check out our website under 'Projects.' There are some great pictures too.
How Can Others Help?: 

More information about Power Up Gambia can be found at: www.powerupgambia.org

Start Date: 
10/01/2006
Money Raised: 
$360,000
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With a group of people to help spread the message, a reliable place to put donations, and soon after a brochure.... we were off. To see what impact we have had in The Gambia (this is the most important thing!) check out our website under 'Projects.' There are some great pictures too. ) ) [field_end_date] => Array ( [0] => Array ( [value] => [view] => ) ) [field_others_involved] => Array ( [0] => Array ( [value] => More information about Power Up Gambia can be found at: www.powerupgambia.org [format] => 0 [view] =>

More information about Power Up Gambia can be found at: www.powerupgambia.org

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ongoing project
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DoSomething Award Winner?: 
Yes
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30
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How many people has your project helped? : 
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30
How many people has your project helped? : 
20000
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Location(s)

Wilmington, DE, 19899
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What's the problem you are trying to solve?: 
Power Up Gambia is a unique organization with a specific goal: to provide electricity to hospitals and clinics in The Gambia, West Africa through solar energy. This organization was founded by Kathryn Cunningham Hall as a junior at the University of Pennsylvania in October 2006. While volunteering at the Sulayman Junkung General Hospital, Kathryn witnessed staff struggling to serve the local population because of a lack of continuous electricity. Imagine going to a hospital and finding that there were no lights, no running water, and no refrigeration for blood or vaccines. After seeing an infant die because an incubator could not be powered, she decided something needed to be done.
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Why is it important to you?: 
Upon returning to the United States, Kathryn founded Power Up Gambia with the mission of providing electricity to this hospital. Using solar energy turned out to be the most logical choice. With lots of help, Kathryn started to fundraise. The goal - $300,000. After two years of hard work, Power Up Gambia had the funds. To see where we are in the installation process check out www.powerupgambia.org Throughout the two years of fund-raising, Power Up Gambia recognized that the problem with lack of electricity extends beyond the hospital. PUG has recently expanded its mission to help other clinics and hospitals in The Gambia. Maybe one day we can spread this model to other countries too.
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What's your plan of action?: 
Kathryn knew she couldn't take on this challenge all by herself. Instead, she formed a board of directors (a group that gets together frequently to share ideas about fundraising and the project). Then, the board found a fiscal sponsor (an organization that helps take care of the money). Applying for a 501(c)3 would take too long at this point. With a group of people to help spread the message, a reliable place to put donations, and soon after a brochure.... we were off. To see what impact we have had in The Gambia (this is the most important thing!) check out our website under 'Projects.' There are some great pictures too.
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How Can Others Help?: 

More information about Power Up Gambia can be found at: www.powerupgambia.org

[#weight] => 3 [#printed] => 1 ) [#children] =>
What's the problem you are trying to solve?: 
Power Up Gambia is a unique organization with a specific goal: to provide electricity to hospitals and clinics in The Gambia, West Africa through solar energy. This organization was founded by Kathryn Cunningham Hall as a junior at the University of Pennsylvania in October 2006. While volunteering at the Sulayman Junkung General Hospital, Kathryn witnessed staff struggling to serve the local population because of a lack of continuous electricity. Imagine going to a hospital and finding that there were no lights, no running water, and no refrigeration for blood or vaccines. After seeing an infant die because an incubator could not be powered, she decided something needed to be done.
Why is it important to you?: 
Upon returning to the United States, Kathryn founded Power Up Gambia with the mission of providing electricity to this hospital. Using solar energy turned out to be the most logical choice. With lots of help, Kathryn started to fundraise. The goal - $300,000. After two years of hard work, Power Up Gambia had the funds. To see where we are in the installation process check out www.powerupgambia.org Throughout the two years of fund-raising, Power Up Gambia recognized that the problem with lack of electricity extends beyond the hospital. PUG has recently expanded its mission to help other clinics and hospitals in The Gambia. Maybe one day we can spread this model to other countries too.
What's your plan of action?: 
Kathryn knew she couldn't take on this challenge all by herself. Instead, she formed a board of directors (a group that gets together frequently to share ideas about fundraising and the project). Then, the board found a fiscal sponsor (an organization that helps take care of the money). Applying for a 501(c)3 would take too long at this point. With a group of people to help spread the message, a reliable place to put donations, and soon after a brochure.... we were off. To see what impact we have had in The Gambia (this is the most important thing!) check out our website under 'Projects.' There are some great pictures too.
How Can Others Help?: 

More information about Power Up Gambia can be found at: www.powerupgambia.org

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Start Date: 
10/01/2006
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Money Raised: 
$360,000
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Start Date: 
10/01/2006
Money Raised: 
$360,000
[#printed] => 1 ) [#children] =>
Is this a...: 
ongoing project
Video (optional): 
DoSomething Award Winner?: 
Yes
How many people are directly involved in your project? : 
30
How many people has your project helped? : 
20000

Location(s)

Wilmington, DE, 19899
See map: Google Maps
What's the problem you are trying to solve?: 
Power Up Gambia is a unique organization with a specific goal: to provide electricity to hospitals and clinics in The Gambia, West Africa through solar energy. This organization was founded by Kathryn Cunningham Hall as a junior at the University of Pennsylvania in October 2006. While volunteering at the Sulayman Junkung General Hospital, Kathryn witnessed staff struggling to serve the local population because of a lack of continuous electricity. Imagine going to a hospital and finding that there were no lights, no running water, and no refrigeration for blood or vaccines. After seeing an infant die because an incubator could not be powered, she decided something needed to be done.
Why is it important to you?: 
Upon returning to the United States, Kathryn founded Power Up Gambia with the mission of providing electricity to this hospital. Using solar energy turned out to be the most logical choice. With lots of help, Kathryn started to fundraise. The goal - $300,000. After two years of hard work, Power Up Gambia had the funds. To see where we are in the installation process check out www.powerupgambia.org Throughout the two years of fund-raising, Power Up Gambia recognized that the problem with lack of electricity extends beyond the hospital. PUG has recently expanded its mission to help other clinics and hospitals in The Gambia. Maybe one day we can spread this model to other countries too.
What's your plan of action?: 
Kathryn knew she couldn't take on this challenge all by herself. Instead, she formed a board of directors (a group that gets together frequently to share ideas about fundraising and the project). Then, the board found a fiscal sponsor (an organization that helps take care of the money). Applying for a 501(c)3 would take too long at this point. With a group of people to help spread the message, a reliable place to put donations, and soon after a brochure.... we were off. To see what impact we have had in The Gambia (this is the most important thing!) check out our website under 'Projects.' There are some great pictures too.
How Can Others Help?: 

More information about Power Up Gambia can be found at: www.powerupgambia.org

Start Date: 
10/01/2006
Money Raised: 
$360,000
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