Lighting the way for education Champittet Foundation brings solar energy to Lebanese schools

We are thrilled to share the latest news from our charity project in Lebanon! Through a collaboration between the Champittet Foundation and the Rotary Club of Tripoli Cosmopolis (RCTC), over 330 solar panels have been installed, providing sustainable and reliable electricity to 23 public schools.

This project has been made possible thanks to the incredible generosity of our donors. In June 2023, the Champittet Foundation hosted a charity ball in support of the education of Lebanese students. We had a wonderful turnout, with our participants helping us to raise an outstanding CHF 150,000.

Since then, that generosity has contributed towards making a real difference in improving the learning environment and overall safety for Lebanese schoolchildren. The newly installed solar panels enable schools to power their essential needs. This means electricity not only for classroom lights, computer equipment and other technology, but also for water filters – vital for providing students and staff with clean drinking water – and fire alarm systems.

A lack of reliable electricity and high energy costs often force schools to go without these essentials, with negative consequences for students and teachers. Maguy Semaani, Principal of El Nahda School for Girls, gives an example: “We have one well-lit classroom on the fourth floor where I am obliged to move the students into during winter, so they can see and to save on energy costs.”

Now, more than 7,000 students across 23 schools will benefit from this project, enabling schools to meet critical energy needs in a cost-effective way. As Amal Sheikh, Head of Service Committee RCTC, says, “The sun will never go down on Lebanon… We were able to harness the energy of the sun to turn darkness into light. Having this project completed is our dream come true.”

Thank you to everyone who has supported this project, and let’s continue making a difference. Our next Foundation Ball will be on May 24th, 2025 – save the date and join us!