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!

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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.

Said (front row, centre) and Juma (front row, right) with villagers in Uhafiwa.

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."

Juma teaching how to monitor voltage at a training session.

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!

Juma presenting a SunnyMoney product to the community.

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

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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.

Uhafia Health Dispensary in Iringa, Tanzania

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.

Ms Naemi Mgeni at work in the dispenasary

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 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.

Members of Ikuwo village sit with their chicken.

"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.

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).

A team installs a solar panel on a health clinic in Chole.

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.

A family on Chole island enjoy home lighting for the first time.

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.

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

Mr Philip Mdamni highlighting the benefits of microsolar.

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!

The Village Chief displays his microsolar bulb alongside old kerosene lanterns.

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.

Mr Juma Msengi holding his baby girl at home.

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.

Juma demonstrating the LED bulb he had previously constructed.

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's Claire Pederson presents new franchisee, Paul Mdamani with his SunnyMoney T-shirt.

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."

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 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.

The house was small for nine people with just two bedrooms, a living room, washroom and kitchen.

Mrs Gabwara led us through to the bedroom by the light of a tin lamp. She had kindly heated some water for us to wash with and for our comfort she left the tin lamp on the floor of the hallway between the bedroom and the washroom.

Now, this lamp was to burn all night - a beacon of light to help us to see our way - yet a toxic reminder to me of how nasty these things are. All night, I was deeply aware of the acrid smell of kerosene oil burning, despite having a closed door between me and it. I couldn't help but cough and splutter every time I passed through the hallway. The black smoke pouring out of it was both eye-opening and eye-stinging, as it burned in the darkness. The light this lamp provided was poor - more of a dim glow - just enough to see the contours of the room and illuminate doorways into more darkened rooms.

This was a poignant reminder to me; a reminder that Mrs Gabwara, her family and extended family, together with millions of other rural Africans have no choice but to rely on this lethal, unpleasant and polluting form of light every night, all year round. I experienced just one night of inhaling kerosene fumes. I was relieved it was just one night but it was a sobering, humbling realisation of how very lucky I was.

To help SolarAid in its mission to eliminate the burning of kerosene for lighting homes please support this project.

The Ravi is SunnyMoney branded and an upgraded version of previous micro-solar products such as the Kadzuwa. Its primary aim is to work as a portable device that uses energy from the Sun as power for light.

From left to right: staff members, Stephen Chimallo, Dave Fryer and Claire Pedersen stand exhausted after ravis are stockpiled in their office.

A diverse piece of kit, the Ravi can be used as a hand held torch, desk lamp or even to charge mobile phones. Improvements include a new 1.5 watt solar panel with a life expectancy of 10 years and an 18 LED light bulb capable of lighting a 4 x 4 metre room with clean and bright light. Each bulb can last 10,000 hours (that's four years!) if left on for seven hours a day.

In order to make the device more efficient we have also included a light which signals to the user when batteries are fully charged and also when they are low. This system is a fantasic innovation which should increase battery life for up to two years.

The Ravi complet with bulb, solar panel and mobile phone charger.

It is a very cost effective product for consumers because within three months of purchasing a Ravi, a household's kerosene costs previously used to light the home will be reduced from up to 20% of family income to near zero. This has a tremendous impact on the everyday lives of rural people.

It has taken months of planning for the Ravi to reach Tanzania in such bulk; now we have them in place we can begin to implement their distribution throughout our programmes and eliminate the use of harmful and polluting kerosene lamps for many more of the world's poorest communities.

Visiting Changalikwa was to be a particularly interesting experience for me personally. We were to stay the night here, which would of course mean experiencing the solar lighting in use after dark!

ABOVE: SolarAid's Mason Huffine talks to the Headmistress, backlit by the classroom with solar lighting.

Changalikwa Secondary School is very respected by the President of Tanzania who was born in the district and still owns property there. It has 1250 students and just 10 teachers, one of whom is a volunteer.

Through the President's support, the school received funding some years ago for two generators. These generators had been the sole energy source for Changilikwa prior to the solar installation. Keeping them running had been a real challenge. The generators were very unreliable, polluting and fearfully expensive, using 20 litres of diesel per week, at a cost of 860,000 shillings per month to the school (about £430).

Too poor for secondary school
In Tanzania, primary education is free so the majority of children attend. However, secondary education is not compulsory and is subject to school fees. The day we visited Changalikwa was officially the first day of the new term. However, there was just a handful of students present. When asked why this was, the Headmaster told me:

"The students must only return once they have paid the fees for the term. The students you see here are ones who have paid their fees."

I realised that the vast and alarming majority of parents were not in a position financially to send their children back to school. There were just nine students present, meaning that 1241 others were at home still, unable to come back for classes.

"It can take weeks into a new term before we have all the students present, as it takes families time to save up for the school fees. Some children sadly never return."

ABOVE: a classroom at Changalikwa is illuminated by the solar lighting system.

Then there was solar light...
When Changalikwa relied on its generators the school would economise on fuel by only allowing light for homework for three hours each evening. With the arrival of solar, the school can now offer its students as many hours of additional study as they want. The generators are still used to power some classrooms and staff housing, but it now only costs the school 300,000 shillings per month on diesel (around £140. That's a saving of £300 per month!).

The fees have subsequently been reduced now that the school doesn't rely wholly on diesel. It used to cost each student 100,000 shillings for fuel (along with teaching fees, boarding, food etc) but now the fuel cost to each student is just 5000 shillings (£2.50). This also contributes to running costs of the solar.

Like at many similar schools, Changalikwa students used to have to buy their own lamps and kerosene. Now there is no need and the students' families are saving money.

Students of Changalikwa in a classroom illuminated by the solar lighting system.

The school is extremely remote and isolated so all staff live on site. In the past, new teachers would often leave after a couple of terms, finding the lack of power together with the remoteness too much. But the solar has had a positive impact on staff moral. Teachers can do their marking and lesson planning well into the evening, in the comfort of an illuminated staff room.

To top it all, the school has enjoyed a massive improvement in exam results and has moved up the league in the schools table from near the bottom - 335 out of 364 - to a very impressive 191 out of 574! Security has also improved substantially across the campus and the school now plans to buy a computer. Not surprisingly, enrollment has also increased.

More about my stay at Changalikwa in my next blog.
Anna

Kibindu Secondary School has 452 students. Amazing, considering it has just seven classrooms and nine teachers. The students are aged from 13 to 24 years. As well as being incredibly remote, its facilities are basic and the community which the school serves is very poor. But Kibindu has a reason to be hopeful about the future - a 240W solar system on its roof; bringing light to all seven classrooms.

The school no longer needs to spend money on kerosene, candles or batteries for torches like it did six months ago, before the installation. The high number of students at the school is partly due to the reduced school fees - owing to the fact that students no longer have to contribute to the cost of kerosene.

The Head Teacher, Mr Benedict, was thrilled to tell us that he'd seen a dramatic increase in exam pass rates since the solar installation. He also told us that student attendance has increased as there has been a huge drop in bronchitis and other respiratory diseases, since the school put a stop to the use of candles and lanterns, for good, six months ago.

The school offers a phone charging service to the community - charging 300Tsh per charge (about 13p).

Local villagers are intrigued, as well as proud, to have a building in their community with light. Mr Benedict told us that people come to the school at night just to see it lit up.

"It looks so nice at night time" he told us. "It's the only light for miles and miles. We are like a beacon in the community now!"

Head Teacher Mr Benedict proudly switches on the lights in a classroom at Kibindu.

The view from the very remote Kibindu Secondary School. Photo by Charlotte Webster.

While Mason and I begin training, the installers are still very busy. Sleeping on site with little food or clean water and working from sunrise to sunset, they are starving but never complain - what great guys.

Installers fit a macrosolar system to a school roof.

The next day we bring rice, beans, water, nuts and juice with us. One of the teachers' house-girls uses the ingredients to cook a much needed meal for the Installers. Refuelled, they install six more systems within three days.

Meanwhile, Mason and I get on with installing microsolar study lights in the dormitories. It surprised me how many dead scorpions there were. I was later informed that when Dennis surveyed the school he was bitten by a snake and had to go to hospital

With the installation complete we leave to Mnara. It is raining hard when we hit the road making the off road driving conditions even harder.