March 2009 Archives

Even though we were in Njombe by 9am, we only managed to visit two schools - such was the distance between them and the atrocious quality of dirt track.

The second school we visited has over 300 pupils and just four teachers! It is an amazing place, only a couple of years old- so still in the midst of building. Some of the classrooms are even being used as dormitories, as it is a boarding school.

As well these two school visits I also had preliminary meetings with some local health representatives to discuss installations on medical clinics in rural areas and Slobodan and I also addressed a group of 20 young people who have just finished internships with the European Commission. We talked for an hour about different types of renewable power sources and where they work, the energy sector in Tanzania versus other countries and the energy mix for the future.

On Friday morning, Slobodan and I met the Regional Health Officer for this area, Dr Gabone. It was all very positive and Slobodan and I left feeling quite jubilant. Dr Gabone is extremely keen on solar power in rural clinics and dispensaries, as power is a serious issue. Upwards of 50% of the population in rural areas is HIV positive, so blood samples must be taken regularly and refrigerated, lab equipment must be run and medicines and vaccines must be stored. Without power for these basic functions, clinics cannot run effectively.

As can imagine, importing of fuel for a generator is not an easy or cheap option so a solar system, with no consumables, is ideal.

Helen

Last week was really busy. I guess that's what happens when the boss comes to town.

Mason, Operations Manager for SolarAid Tanzania, arrived on Tuesday along with the macro-solar Project Manager Dennis and the newest recruit to the SolarAid Tanzania team, Slobodan who was formerly Professor of Renewable Energy at Arizona State University. Slobodan is volunteering with SolarAid for the next six months.

Left to right: Dennis, Slobodan, me and Mason. Iringa region, Tanzania

Up until now, my trip has been focused almost entirely on micro-solar...selling panels and devices with a maximum output of about 2w. However, SolarAid is also developing two further macro-solar projects.

Thankfully, SolarAid has secured funding to enable a 90% subsidy of the installation and panel costs for approximately 80 schools. And will soon hopefully secure funding to do the same thing for 30 health clinics. The latter has been helped enormously by the donation of 200 panels from Slobodan's old university!

Me giving a micro-solar demonstration to school children of Iringa.

There are a lot more than 80 schools in the Iringa area alone, all of which would benefit from solar installations. So, sites have to be selected carefully, based on criteria such as their proximity to power lines, their commitment to education of their pupils in renewable energy, whether the roofs of the building are heavily shaded and many other factors.

Site selection involves a site visit and most of the schools are pretty hard to find. Add to this the fact that the Iringa region alone stretches several hundred kilometres in every direction - so the site visits alone will take some time!

More about the site visits in my next blog soon.

Helen

After an amazing weekend in the spectacular Ruaha National Park with four others from Iringa, I was rapidly brought back to reality on Monday. Kasim - one of the solar entrepreneurs from Neema Crafts- had been in an accident on his way home from work on Friday. His specially made bike was written off and he had spent two nights in hospital. A drunk-driver had hit Kasim whilst he was waiting at a junction.

One of the great things about Neema Crafts is the support it gives its employees. First thing yesterday I tagged along with Destory, one of the managers at Neema, to meet Kasim at the police station. He was there to file a report on what had happened. The photo below shows people standing around the bike wondering what to do.

Destory (left). Kasim is seen sitting on the floor behind his bike.

Thankfully, Kasim is okay. We hope the driver will agree to pay for a new bike, though this will take time. If he doesn't agree it will take even longer and we would have to take him to court.

We are continuing working in the solar workshop. SolarAid Tanzania's manager Mason is here this week. I'm very excited as I will have the opportunity to visit some of the schools selected for macro-solar installations. These will certainly take me off the beaten track!

More from me soon,
Helen
(Scottish and Southern Energy volunteer for SolarAid)