An unforgettable journey

"Professor, here we are, this is Idodi Secondary School" Dennis, the SolarAid program coordinator said as we parked the car and stepped out into a sun-filled mid-morning in the Southern Highlands of Tanzania. This was the second school on our journey to install solar electricity systems in remote areas. The view from the top of the hill was magnificent; a whole class of 200 students were taking an exam sitting at their desks outside the school buildings, among the trees.

Photo: Andy Bodycombe

We were between the town called Iringa and Ruaha National Park, a world-famous game reserve. Here, 30 miles away from the nearest electricity line and paved roads, time seems to be standing still and the world as we know it is very far away. There are no TVs or video games here, the children don't have cell phones and they don't listen to popular music. They don't wear designer clothes and they have never heard of any movie stars or famous singers. The days pass by in simple graceful existence, quiet curiosity, and unspoilt joy for life.

With the rest of the installation crew, Wambura, Fred, Morris and Matola we made an unforgettable journey to complete solar installations on eight schools. Kiwere, Idodi, Isalavanu, Zadraz, Ullembwe, Ikuna... We made our way through the Iringa region in 19 days with the hope that the lives of thousands of children will be changed for many years to come.

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