September 2009 Archives

Mason Huffine, SolarAid Tanzania's Country Business Manager, was at the London office yesterday - his first visit to SolarAid HQ- on his way back to Dar es Salaam after a short break.

Mason (left) and Miguel at the SolarAid office in London. Photo by Steve Woodward.

It was great to meet Mason in person, having spoken and emailed often, received his updates and seen so many pictures.

Solarising schools to prevent future tragedies

Mason updated me on news from Idodi Secondary School - the victim of last month's tragic fire.

Since Idodi, it has become apparent that this kind of incident is all too common in Africa. So the team are looking at different approaches to strategies for school dormitories in Tanzania. Our challenge now is ensuring we prevent future incidents like this one.

However, when there are hundreds of schools in rural Tanzania with no power, after sundown (around 6pm everyday) thousands of school children are left with no choice but to resort to candles if they wish to continue studying after the school day. And as long as candles are used, there will always be a high risk of burns or, worse, building-wide fires like the one at Idodi.

The tragic mass grave for the 12 young students of Idodi Secondary School who perished in the fire on 22 August.

One of SolarAid's missions is to increase access to safe, clean light in schools to deliver improved education standards. Until now, the focus has been on lighting the classrooms and school offices. But we're now working with Headmaster - Mr Raymond Mlasu - to design a system for the new dormitory block at Idodi.

Two options so far are a fixed lighting system plus portable micro-solar products for students to share. Or alternatively, a fixed system with 3 smaller study lights fixed in the corners of the dormitory. Either way, we will strive to find an appropriate lighting solution for the students at Idodi and beyond, so that after-dark study is made safe. Something that we take for granted in the west.

More about this worthwhile project soon,
Anna