The community of Chã das Caldeiras on the island of Fogo is unique. It is one of the few places in the world where people have built a life in the crater of an active volcano.

Fogo is one of a collection of islands and archipelagos that make up the isolated nation of Cabo Verde, also known as Cape Verde, which is situated some 375 miles off the coast of West Africa.

The volcano, Pico do Fogo, gave birth to its namesake island an estimated 100,000 years ago. Still active, the volcano most recently erupted in 1996 and 2014.

Clearly, there are some risks when it comes to building one’s life in the crater of a volcano. However, for the nearly 800 residents of Chã das Caldeiras, the “what ifs” associated with the volcano have been outweighed by other pressing concerns – including a lack of running water, access to reliable electricity and poverty. 

A new solar minigrid aims to solve the electricity challenges facing the community, and it will help bolster the economic situation as well.