Last week, The Chole Mjini Trust Fund installed an IT system in the community centre at Chole Island, thanks to a solar power system that SolarAid installed there last summer.
This has simply revolutionised the capabilities of this community centre. It will help community members of Chole Island, many of whom have not had access to computers before now, to gain basic IT and technology skills.
The systems chosen comprise of four workstations assembled to a local design, each using only 15-18W each. This is very efficient compared to the average 150W used by a UK workstation!
The technology will predominantly focus on English language tuition, using specialised software for this. General computing will also be taught using word processors and spreadsheets.
On the first day of being operational, an astounding 36 young people turned up to receive training - many of whom were girls, eager to learn about IT and what it could enable them to do.
This was a great day for Chole - the solar island!
Villagers in Uhafiwa, Mufindi district, Iringa, received a brand new solar installation on their health dispensary earlier this month. This not only meant clean and affordable light at the flick of a switch but also a brand new solar fridge to store vaccines. Meeting the local people, I can see how power provided by solar can change lives, and in some cases, potentially save them.
Uhafiwa Dispensary has one nurse responsible for a population of 2,179. Armed with a broken solar radio and one kerosene lantern at a cost of TZS33,000 (£13) for a night's worth of light, resources are limited. Luckily the lantern has been kept alight by contributions from patients.
The clinic used to rely on gas to power a vaccine fridge at huge expense. Jackson Gazulo, the dispensary Watchman told me: "All too often the fridge would run out of gas and we would have to travel 50 kilometers by bicycle to Usokami [the nearest heath centre] to store vaccines. I would like to say thank you to SolarAid for installing solar power and providing the new refrigerator."
In fact, the importance of having affordable and constant solar power is no starker than when hearing from the Village Executive Officer, Isaya Mheni. He told me: "This year we have lost three children [during child birth], due to the long distance needed to travel to Usokami Health Centre - [the nearest health centre capable of delivering children]. But I think the problem is over now, because we have the solar system. Clinical officers and nurses will want to work in our village now and we won't have to send people to Usokami."
After seeing the delight in local people following the installation, we began demonstrating SunnyMoney microsolar lights. The systems, consisting of a 1.5 watt solar panel which powers a super bright LED bulb, can be used in the family home to replace expensive and toxic kerosene lights and candles. Our presentation was so successful that they even wanted to buy the demonstration product!
We ended the day by handing over the SunnyMoney registration form and promising to provide consultancy in regards to system maintenance of their solar installation.
To help us power even more fridges and light ever more homes with solar light, please make a donation.
More soon
Juma
Imalinyi Dispensary is 30km from Njombe town in southern Tanzania. The village dispensary is used by nearly 6000 people with only two full time members of staff, seven beds and one watchman. They use 20 litres of kerosene per month to run a lantern at a cost of over 30,000TZS, funded by contributions from villagers. The dispensary also uses gas to run a small fridge for storing medical equipment. Not only is this expensive, but fuel shortages can cause the fridge to lose power.
"Hallo! How are you? Welcome to Imalinyi dispensary!" It was the Dispensary Nurse, Daina Mgeni, who spoke. She stood with local and influential figures including National Secretary General, Philip Mangula, the village counsellor, village chairman and village executive officer. We had arrived to evaluate their health dispensary for solar installation.
In an excited voice, Daina said to her group, "These are guests from SolarAid Tanzania. They've interviewed me and are here as part of the next step towards solar installation." A voice from the group quickly asked, "Will you install the system even in our homes?"
"Unfortunately not for everyone", Macrosolar Field Officer, Said Mbemba, replied. "But, thankfully we have another solution for you. We have small, simple to use solar systems, which are very affordable and safe. We are going to demonstrate some products so you can decide which one you prefer and inform the rest of your village about what you have learnt."
After the group dispersed, I spoke with the village chairman about the current use of kerosene as a form of light and how the people in his village feel about the introduction of solar.
The village leader said, "My people are very happy about our application for a solar installation on our dispensary. What's more, they have been asking if they can receive smaller solar systems for their homes.
"There are some who will save up to buy solar installations, but it is millions of shillings and that is too much for most people. I think the small solar lights you have shown will be a nice solution for them." He went on to explain that most villagers rely on kerosene to the detriment of health: "The smoke is bad and is hurting us, fire can also be dangerous. We want modern lights and we want to charge our phones."
It was a long day for the SolarAid macro team. Not only did we conduct a site assessment, but we also spent a lot of time demonstrating SunnyMoney microsolar products to health facility staff and village leaders. Their excitement made it all worthwhile though! We could see how facilitating solar not only for the health dispensary but also to people's homes could have great health and economic benefits for them.
As we were leaving we gave the village group an official SunnyMoney order form. Then, right there, the village leaders registered to buy the 5W PowaPack. At 160,000 TZS that's quite a commitment and is proof of the incredible need of the people. The village leaders said they are going to take the idea to the community meeting so that other people can register for products.
We said our long goodbyes and reassured them that we would be in touch soon.
Please help us bring clean and affordable solar light to more villages by making a donation here.
"Hallo! How are you?" she said as I hopped off my motorcycle. It was a woman wearing a neat white uniform waiting outside a dispensary. She had been told by the Mufindi District medical officer that there would be guests to survey the building in preparation for a solar installation.
She was really excited to see me and said: "I am supposed to go to the village meeting because I have an announcement to make, however I was told to wait for your arrival. Please are you going to help us to get solar electricity?"
"Yes, but this is the initial process, you will be updated what is next soon after the survey" I replied.
The woman was Ms Naemi Mgeni, the only nurse working at a health dispensary catering for over 2000 people in Uhafiwa, Mufindi District, Iringa. With one lantern for light and a broken solar radio, which she cannot afford to repair, Naemi has found things hard going to say the least. It costs her TZS 33,000 (£14) per month to burn kerosene, however, unfortunately despite the health risks associated with the fuel, it is all she has had for light.
Prior to SolarAid's arrival, Naemi had planned to resign because of the difficulties to deliver quality service during the night. It was simply far too difficult to care for people, including women in labour at the dispensary at night, without practical and safe lighting. She was about to announce to the villagers at the meeting that pregnant women should be taken to Usokami Hospital in Mafinga District a month before their due-date because of the inadequate conditions of her dispensary. Getting to Usokami, however, is not easy, it requires a 50 kilometre trip to the nearest bus station, and what's more there's only one bus!
But there was good news. We had given Naemi hope, she told me: "If SolarAid bring solar power here I will not resign as it will help my community after the government abandoned us."
I hope to return with what she has asked for soon.
Juma
Help us install solar in more health clinics throughout rural Southern and Eastern Africa by making a donation here.
I recently visited a family living in Ikuwo village, Iringa. It was yet another example of how important microsolar is to rural Tanzanians:
I arrived to be greeted by a chicken pecking at my feet. In this region chickens are very special and never sold. Even when there is a food shortage, chicken will be reserved for special guests or saved for an occasion such as Easter or Christmas. As a valuable commodity, chickens are as every bit as precious as a battery might be for light.
"Steve, you have to come to my home'', the village chairman said down the phone to me. He had already seen microsolar working and wanted his wife and children see a Ravi in action too. In response to his call we parked the car on the roadside and walked for half a mile into the bush to meet with his family. I approached his house along a narrow and rough path. Birds were singing as cows and goats strained on their ropes in an attempt to graze on fresh grass. I was noticing how dispersed the houses were when the chairman greeted me:
"This is my cow and I'm not sure I will ever sell it. For now selling the milk gives me money for buying kerosene and paying school fees."
Looking around it was hard to believe there were any neighbours to sell to; it was daylight but all I could see were tall trees and heavy bush clusters. As a guest in these remote and harsh conditions it's easy to see how one's life ambitions and dreams might fade away. However, as I was invited into the chairman's house it was clearly not the case "Steve, we are very happy here, this is my family, please be welcome" he said. After chatting I demonstrated the Ravi to the family. His wife was delighted and they bought one at once.
I was happy that the family now had access to clean light, but as we were leaving I could hear the children crying; I decided to stop and ask why. The mother said they were upset because their Daddy had only bought one Ravi. This meant that their bedroom would not benefit from solar light. For 15 minutes we tried to calm them down as their parents puzzled over how they might raise funds for a second Ravi. Finally l decided to buy the children a Ravi myself!
As I was leaving I noticed the children were chasing a chicken. When they caught it, it was given to my driver and I as a present. Knowing the value of the bird, we felt very honoured. Before the drive home, the driver and I went to the market, bought a small box, cut some holes in the sides and put in some tomatoes for the chicken to feed on. I admit we had a nice chicken meal that evening!
The next morning my phone rang, it was the family:
"This thing [Ravi] works. I left it on all night, it is amazing, we thank you so much, I am sure I will not buy kerosene again." Brilliant news to start the day.
To help us reach the remotest areas with clean, affordable light please make a donation here.
In June this year, on Chole Island, off the coast of Tanzania, SolarAid worked with the owners of Chole Mjini Lodge to provide solar lighting to village development projects, which the Lodge had helped to initiate.
Chole Mjini is a socially responsible tree-house lodge (www.cholemjini.com), which has helped the people of Chole community realise many of their development goals. It provides direct income from a bed-night levy at the lodge, as well as project administrative support and ongoing fundraising through the Chole Mjini Trust Fund (www.choletrust.org).
The launch of SolarAid on the island was facilitated by the organised structures, which had previously been put in place on Chole. They made it possible to work in this remote village and improve the lives of people who have long dreamt of night-lights and basic power but have not been able to afford it.
Guests of the Chole Mjini Lodge first heard about SolarAid in The Times (UK) newspaper and put the lodge owners and Chole community in touch with SolarAid Tanzania.
A further twist to the tail includes the amazing coincidence of two guests staying at the lodge at the time that SolarAid staff came to assess the potential on Chole. During the buzz of distributing SunnyMoney lights (which were being purchased for sale in the pilot phase) these guests mentioned that they had made a contribution to SolarAid in response to The Times Appeal and were delighted to now see the whole process in action and experience the benefit the different parties working together had brought to the people in Chole.
To see more photos from the amazing installation on Chole Island, you can read the news blog from June here.
To support SolarAid and make future projects like this possible please make a donation here.
On my recent trip to Tanzania I visited a rural village in Singida district to help with the SunnyMoney recruitment process and to test my new microsolar prototypes.
After a 12 hour bus journey I arrived at a village called Mgori and went straight to the local school to talk with some prospective SunnyMoney franchisees who had gathered in preperation for the recruitment process. One of the most impressive of the group was Local fundi (technican) Paul Mdamani, who stood to recite 11 good reasons why solar power is so important. These were as follows:
1. Gets rid of dark, brings light.
2. No smoke - no health problems
3. Lowers expense for kerosene
4. Helps family to be happy together
5. Lowers expense for phone charging
6. Children can study easily
7. Safety in the home
8. Increases money for family
9. Easy to use, even for kids
10. No heat - no danger
11. Easily carried with you
I spent the week in Mgori village testing our new product concepts against competitive products while my colleagues, SolarAid Microfranchise Coordinator, Claire and Volunteer Ben interviewed SunnyMoney franchisee candidates.
The chief of the village told us that he used to spend 4000Tsh (£1.70) a month on phone charging and 6000Tsh (£2.50) a month on kerosene. Now that he uses our microsolar Ravi product he's saving 10,000Tsh (£4.30) a month. That means the product has paid for itself within four months! He says the only energy he uses now is charcoal for cooking and that he hasn't had to buy any kerosene since purchasing a Ravi - great stuff!
Meanwhile I gave prototypes out to three families, rotating the devices each day and asking them a series of questions to gain an understanding as to the effectiveness of each product. One of these families was quite young, they had just had their first child and were probably one of the poorer families in the village. After picking up the prototype on the first day, husband and new father Juma Msengi told me the light had been so bright that he and his wife had been able to sew all night, which meant that they would be able to sell more tailoring that week. They were really looking forward to trying the other designs.
On my last day visiting Juma he produced some wires, batteries and LEDs which he had connected together to produce an LED light. He had done this because he was tired of spending so much money on kerosene and was worried about the health of his new born child. After buying the SunnyMoney home starter kit, however, he has been able to pass on his own design to his mother so that she can save money too. Juma plans on saving to buy the newer Ravi microsolar product, or even our own developed design once it is available.
As I mentioned earlier, we went to Mgori for two main reasons, prototype testing, and SunnyMoney entrepreneur recruitment. Well, I'm happy to announce that we now have three fantastic franchisees active in the Singida region. They have been through interviews, sales and technical training and are now ready to sell - good luck guys!
SolarAid has received a donation of 200 solar panels from TÜV Rheinland PTL to be installed on the roofs of health centres and clinics throughout our project regions in rural Tanzania.
Many health clinics use highly toxic kerosene lamps for light, which when inhaled can lead to respiratory disease - one of the leading causes of death in Tanzania. Solar power however, enables clinics to operate 24 hours a day and with clean affordable light - this not only improves working conditions but saves lives and reduces illness.
We have already installed 70 of the panels on 14 health facilities in the Iringa region of central Tanzania. The remaining 130 panels will also be used in Ludewa, Makete, and Kiwango throughout the course of the year.
SolarAid's Head of Programmes, John Keane said:
"The donation from TÜV Rheinland PTL is enabling us to have a direct and positive impact on rural Tanzanian communities, which do not benefit from grid electricity. Together with these communities SolarAid helps to bring light to rural health centres that serve villages for miles around."
TÜV Rheinland PTL is based in Tempe, Arizona. As part of the world's largest solar and photovoltaic testing network the company donate many of their used modules for use by non-profit organisations, such as SolarAid, to expand awareness and share the benefits of renewable energy. Dr. Govindasamy Tamizhmani, president of TÜV Rheinland PTL said:
"I strongly believe that solar photovoltaics will soon become a major contributor of electricity in developing countries."
We are thrilled to announce that last week, on Saturday 5 June, SolarAid Tanzania completed an amazing installation of solar power for the whole of Chole Island, bringing renewable power to over 1000 habitants.
The Tanzania team worked with Coastal Air to get the solar panels and equipment over to Chole, a small island off the larger island of Mafia, which sits just off the coast of Tanzania.
A warm welcome from Islanders as the SolarAid team arrive with panels and equipment ready for the installation
Chole Island has no national grid power, and is unlikely to ever have access to it. The SolarAid team worked with local contractors to install solar lighting systems in a health centre, community centre and a secondary school on the island.
A community event: all island occupants helped with getting the equipment from the landing point to the centre of the island.
An investment for an entire community
SolarAid Tanzania also worked closely with their contractors to train local people on Chole in how to maintain and monitor their systems, to ensure they work to their maximum potential and are ultimately more sustainable.
Training locals about the system installed on a health centre. Meeting held under the Baobab tree!
Introducing Farihani
As part of the Chole Island project, SolarAid has also recruited a local SunnyMoney representative, Farihani Shomari. Farihani, who also works as a fundi (or handyman) in a hotel on the island, has already sold an impressive 37 products in just two months!
SunnyMoney Sales Rep Farahani Shomari (left) and his family, enjoy bright, solar-powered lighting in their home for the first time.
Farahani has also installed a few larger solar systems with SolarAid. He was one of three candidates who applied for the position of SunnyMoney sales rep, and has since been involved too in the training on the macro installations we completed on the island. Farahani is a fast learner and very hard working so we're thrilled to have him on the team.
The next generation of solar installers; children from Chole Island.
SolarAid and the team working on the project would like to extend a big thank you to all habitants of Chole Island, for their ambition to be energy independent!
SolarAid would also like to thank The Times and its readers, without whom we would not be able to reach so many people in Tanzania. And the contact for this project came from a reader who had originally seen a piece about SolarAid during The Times Christmas Appeal in December last year.
Some of the team of engineers and trainees who worked on the installations.
Here are some more photos from this exciting project...
Installation taking place on a clinic on Chole.
A brand new solar system, inside the clinic.
Nurses working inside the clinic, which is now fitted with lights.
A family on Chole Island enjoy solar-powered electric light in their home for the first time.
A curious young boy looks at the panels which arrived on Chole Island for the installation.
Douglas Timatu is 36 years old. He's a sculptor and an aspiring script-writer. However, Douglas has another reason to feel happy with his life. He is making a good business for himself by selling Sunny Money products to his community.
Douglas first came across SolarAid by accident, when a friend told him about a seminar that was being held in his hometown of Bagamoyo. Douglas went along to the seminar as he'd always been interested in the use of solar energy for poverty alleviation in his community. Douglas and his family have struggled. He has been victim to much crime and personal loss as a result of severe poverty, so he was very interested to learn about how SolarAid might be able to help.
In the seminar Douglas was introduce to SolarAid's microsolar products. He saw how they worked and learned about their advantages over other lighting means. Douglas was so impressed and excited about the products that he came forward to the SolarAid representative and said he wanted to enter the local villages to sell the products and test the market.
"I found money to buy 20 units in the first instance. I borrowed from friends and family, then after I sold the first 10 products I was able to buy a bicycle. This enabled me to reach further villages and travel around at no cost. I was saving money on hiring bikes, motorbikes or dala dala (minibus) journeys. I then sold the remaining 10 products very quickly and was able to pay back the loan to my friends"
Douglas, with his newly-acquired bike, holding a Ravi solar light.
Douglas's optimism and ambition is clear:
"There is a big demand for these products. I have 21 prospective customers who want them and are currently saving up".
More about Douglas and his customers in my next update.
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