3. Biogas in the Drakensberg at Sakhile Centre of Learning

In collaboration with Prof. Celestin Sempuga, Prof. Diane Hildebrandt & Pippa Lange from the University of South Africa (UNISA), this biogas project at Sakhile Centre of Learning, KwaZulu Natal Drakensberg, South Africa aims at creating awareness and providing practical knowledge on sustainable and clean alternative energy.
Pippa Lange (1940-2017) was a writer, editor, teacher and translator who relished using her expertise in language and logic at the MaPS (Material and Process Synthesis) Unit at UNISA to collaborate with students to strengthen the conceptual structure and clarity of their research. She was passionately supportive of the Unit’s work to help underfunded communities with practical projects that combine scientific insights and local knowledge to develop green solutions to social and technical problems. Pippa thought of the Unit as a generator not only of energy and green systems, but also of groundbreaking ideas, forward-thinking students and engaged communities, and strongly promoted the Unit’s adage “what can we do to fix this?”.
Because of the above connection, her family have financially contributed to this project.
The focus here is on utilizing waste, such as cow manure, food scraps & organic toilet waste and turn it into a clean form of energy to be used directly in the kitchen (in the form of clean gas) The Waste to Energy concept has the potential to create energy independence as well as promote a clean and safe environment by eliminating hazardous waste in the village.
Most homes in this village have pit latrines for toilets. These are unhygienic and often dangerous when collapsing occurs or they become too full over time. The opportunity to provide flush toilets for the children at Sakhile is a great privilege.
However, it is also important for the children to understand the origin, cycle and preservation of water in the Drakensberg. So, the water used to flush their toilets at school, is flushed through the biogas digester then filtered through the vertical biogas bags and eventually seeps through towards the vegetable garden & fruit trees for further use and limited waste.
The Sakhile Project began in 2008 with a small nursery / crèche, with 18 children, in a house built by Mrs. Mabel Madonsela. A partnership between Elijah Hlanganani Mbonane,(Tourist Guide at Royal Natal National Park) Cheryl Blackburn (Three Tree Hill Lodge) and Cheryl Grace (Legacy of Grace SA) has elevated the project from a crèche into the proposed Early Childhood Development Centre. This project has been developed with Education, the Environment and Tourism in mind. The facilities have been built with the co-operation and support of the local tribal authority and the Department of Education.
Children attending this facility pay a small monthly fee to attend. They are fed breakfast and lunch, they are educated in Zulu & English, with learning materials and building facilities funded by private individuals from all over the world.
The teachers and staff are paid a small stipend from the South African Government Department of Education.
Your generous support would be greatly appreciated.
Legacy of Grace Website - www.cherylgrac...
Email - Cheryl Grace - [e-mail]
Whats App - Cheryl Grace [phone]
Email - Cheryl Blackburn - [e-mail]
Whats App - Cheryl Blackburn [phone]
@grundfosfoundation ‪@gudsheet9471‬ @legacyofgracesa