Here's a little extra information about our health clinic solar installations on Oyamo Island and in the village of Osani, Lake Victoria.
Oyamo Island is a small fishing community with a population of about 3,000 people. The island's clinic had no lighting when we arrived and the gas-powered fridge for vaccines had long since fallen into disrepair. This meant that medicines were stored on the mainland - a one hour boat ride and another hour on the road. In total, a four hour round trip. What's more, if there was an emergency at night patients would have to provide their own lighting.
We were really pleased with the results, as were people in the local community, who can now use the systems to charge their mobile phones at a small cost compared to the previous hefty fee from the generator power supplier.
Please check out my pics below and Bryan's blog for much more on the project.
Hudson
Osani's newly installed solar fridge.
Oyamo Island's health centre mid-installation.
Arriving by boat: Local people volunteer to carry solar cargo up shore on Oyamo island.
Oyamo Island is a small fishing community with a population of about 3,000 people. The island's clinic had no lighting when we arrived and the gas-powered fridge for vaccines had long since fallen into disrepair. This meant that medicines were stored on the mainland - a one hour boat ride and another hour on the road. In total, a four hour round trip. What's more, if there was an emergency at night patients would have to provide their own lighting.
We were really pleased with the results, as were people in the local community, who can now use the systems to charge their mobile phones at a small cost compared to the previous hefty fee from the generator power supplier.
Please check out my pics below and Bryan's blog for much more on the project.
Hudson
Osani's newly installed solar fridge.
Oyamo Island's health centre mid-installation.
Arriving by boat: Local people volunteer to carry solar cargo up shore on Oyamo island.
On April 25th I arrived with colleagues at the shores of Lake Victoria in Nyanza Province. We were there to install solar panels on two health centres and also promote SunnyMoney microsolar lights.
Community members unloading macrosolar panels on Oyamo island.
The Macrosolar team (the guys who install large systems on schools, health clinics and community centres) joined me and headed to the Osani Island and Oyamo Island health centres. We worked alongside partner organisation OGRA Foundation who run an integrated health and social services programme to mitigate the effects of poverty on wellbeing. The installations included a solar powered fridge to store perishable medicines and vaccines.
Hudson (left) and Bryan on their way to Oyamo island.
As Microsolar Assistant I spent my time shuttling between the islands. This involved crossing back and forth over a very choppy and scary Lake Victoria to reach the sites!
Community members with Macrosolar Coordinator Victor (centre).
The Oyamo Island community is made up almost entirely of fishermen, who were excited about the arrival of SunnyMoney solar lights. The portable systems enable people to replace toxic kerosene lanterns and dangerous candles with clean and safe light. Consequently, health is dramatically improved and the risk of fire is lowered. What's more, it allows both children and parents to study and work into the dark of night - a significant and liberating aspect of microsolar.
The men in these communities usually head on to the lake to fish at night and at dawn. SunnyMoney lamps act as a superior alternative to kerosene lanterns and light their way during the darkness. Seeing the benefits, the Fishermen's Union bought 26 solar lights then ordered many more. Home owners and head teachers expressing an interest in SunnyMoney products also placed orders through the Fishermen's Union.
Ms Ochieng holding her new SunnyMoney microsolar light.
On Osani island, good sales were recorded from the locals who have been frustrated by the sky rocketing cost of kerosene. Our lights are seen as a great way to save money with a superior product. They were particularly happy with the added mobile phone charging function on our systems. The lights effectively sold themselves as a symbol of practicality, affordability and reliability to the people of Osani and Oyamo Island.
More news soon.
Bryan
Last month myself and Microsolar and Accounts Assistant Asu, visited Community Based Groups affiliated with our new partner, the Kenyan microfinance institute K-Rep, in Kitui.
K-Rep are offering small start up loans to SunnyMoney entrepreneurs. We joined K-Rep to present SunnyMoney as a valuable business opportunity to local people interested in becoming entrepreneurs. The sessions mainly focussed on the SunnyMoney ordering process and necessary customer service needed to ensure that end-users (purchasers of microsolar lights) get the best from their products. We continued to teach on the capabilities, benefits, availability and high quality of the systems.
Asu conducting a product training session.
Asu and I managed to meet with 33 groups, each with between 10 and 15 members. K-Rep officers supported us and explained how three loan facilities were available should any of the group start up their own SunnyMoney franchise. They include: personal loans, group loans (chamaa loan), and a business development loan.
A Community Based Group listening intently at a school in Kitui.
We left having garnered a large amount of interest. However we also noted that it is important we continue follow-ups in Kitui to make the most of this interest. We left demo products and marketing materials with the K-Rep Kitui Branch Manager to continue to educate local people in the value of solar, not just as clean light but as a sustainable business endeavour.
Bryan
Please help SolarAid bring solar power to more rural Africans by making a donation.
K-Rep are offering small start up loans to SunnyMoney entrepreneurs. We joined K-Rep to present SunnyMoney as a valuable business opportunity to local people interested in becoming entrepreneurs. The sessions mainly focussed on the SunnyMoney ordering process and necessary customer service needed to ensure that end-users (purchasers of microsolar lights) get the best from their products. We continued to teach on the capabilities, benefits, availability and high quality of the systems.
Asu conducting a product training session.
Asu and I managed to meet with 33 groups, each with between 10 and 15 members. K-Rep officers supported us and explained how three loan facilities were available should any of the group start up their own SunnyMoney franchise. They include: personal loans, group loans (chamaa loan), and a business development loan.
A Community Based Group listening intently at a school in Kitui.
We left having garnered a large amount of interest. However we also noted that it is important we continue follow-ups in Kitui to make the most of this interest. We left demo products and marketing materials with the K-Rep Kitui Branch Manager to continue to educate local people in the value of solar, not just as clean light but as a sustainable business endeavour.
Bryan
Please help SolarAid bring solar power to more rural Africans by making a donation.
Last week we visited Makueni, Kitui West, Kitui Central and Mwinga to evaluate locations for possible solar installations, meet with local District Education Officers and catch up with exisiting solar schools. DEOs are officials responsible for education in their region. We took them through our site selection process and also presented various SunnyMoney products.
Macrosolar Coordinator Victor with students at Kathemboni Primary School
Brilliantly, all our meetings were a success. Follow up talks with local head teachers in these areas should take place in the next few weeks. With the cooperation of enthusiastic DEOs, we expect the next batch of school projects to run smoothly.
Kitui West is a particularly significant area for us as last year as we made 12 installations there. This most recent trip gave us the opportunity to re-visit the school installs there and assess the impact of our projects.
Victor with the solar competition winner at Nzeve Primary school.
We learnt that there has been remarkable improvement in academic grades in most schools since installing solar. One school has started a semi-boarding program while the rest now have both late evening and early morning classes. According to the teachers in these schools, clean lighting and solar competitions for students has really boosted morale. In fact many students are asking for a supply of microsolar lamps to take back to their homes! Brilliantly, all our meetings were a success. Follow up talks with local head teachers in these areas should take place in the next few weeks. With the cooperation of enthusiastic DEOs, we expect the next batch of school projects to run smoothly.
Kitui West is a particularly significant area for us as last year as we made 12 installations there. This most recent trip gave us the opportunity to re-visit the school installs there and assess the impact of our projects.
What's more, the most promising news is that many of our schools have recorded a remarkable improvement in the yearly National Exams, with the mean average grade improving by between five and 11 points. Great stuff.
To enable us to reach more schools with solar power please make a donation here.
Two weeks ago, Hudson and I were joined by a BBC film crew to visit two solar installation sites at Nzeve and Kilisa Primary Schools in Kitui West. We were welcomed with joy and jubilation from the teachers and students, just look at the photo below!
Excited students giving us a warm welcome at Nzeve Primary School.
The head teacher of Nzeve Primary, Mr Henry Mwafrika, told us that his school had performed extremely well in the National Primary School examinations. Mr Mwafrika said that since SolarAid installed solar panels, they have started a boarding school programme to allow students longer study time. Morale and motivation for both students and teachers is now sky-high, and has translated into hard work.
Before solar, the mean average grade at Nzeve school was 277/500 (a grade C), now it has risen to 292/500 (B-). Two of the highest scoring students scored 383/500 (A-) and 366/500 (B+), gaining them access to National High Schools. This was a first for the school since it was established ten years ago. Kilisa Primary School also benefitted from solar with a general rise in performance, posting a high score of 371/500 (mean grade A-).
The BBC crew filmed the two solar schools for BBC World News programme Third Eye. They also filmed a local SunnyMoney entrepreneur to highlight the impact that solar is having on development in rural parts of Kenya.
On behalf of SolarAid, we would like to congratulate the teachers, students and the community at Nzeve and Kilisa Primary Schools. Keep it up!!
Third Eye will be aired from February 12th. To find out where and when you can watch it, please visit: www.bbcworldnews.com/pages/schedules
To support SolarAid and help bring light to more schools in rural Africa, please make a donation.
Bryan
Oyamo Isolate is a narrow fishing neighborhood beside a persons of about 3,000 people. The atoll's infirmary had no lighting whereas we arrived moreover the gas-powered fridge for vaccines had crave because dead against whatisan essay format disrepair. This meant that tablets were stored on the mainland - a person hour cruise hound further plus hour on the pike. In destroy, a four hour resonant junket. What's more, if there was an exigency at darkness long-sufferings would get to give their have lighting.
ReplyDeleteWell what I would say is that if there site has a very low ranking your Directory Submission Company will never really get seen by anyone. You would have to be more exact with your question but just so you know the better rank the site has the more power and positive effect it will have for your site and what your trying to do.
ReplyDeleteWithout these familiar methods of payment, goods could only be exchanged by barter trading one good for another, which is extremely time-consuming and inefficient.
ReplyDeleteBankruptcy Attorney Oakland
Flower Delivery: The Cape Town Florist delivers luxury flowers, gifts & candles throughout Cape Town, South Africa. All her flower bouquets & arrangements are made to order using only the freshest flowers available.
ReplyDeleteConstantia florist
Doe's and not for happy married life that will include the issues relating to dowry/gifts given taken at the time of marriage, registration of marriage, sharing of movable and immovable properties in case of break in marriage as well the terms for financial settlement like alimony as well custody of children etc
ReplyDeleteFree Astrology Predictions
STARR TRANSPORTATION SERVICE
ReplyDeleteSTARR-TRANSPORTATION IS A COMPANY THAT THRIVES ON HOSPITALITY FROM AIRPORT TRANSPORTATION TO LOCAL. IF YOU ARE LOOKING FOR TAXI CAB SERVICES, PRIVATE TRANSPORTATION, SHUTTLE SERVICES OR VAN SERVICES WE ARE PLEASED TO SERVE YOU. STARR-TRANSPORTATION.COM PROVIDES FAST RELIABLE HIGH QUALITY SERVICE ALONG WITH HIGHLY TRAINED DRIVERS. THROUGHOUT THE U.S. OUR SERVICE AREAS COVER ATLANTA GA, CHICAGO, MIAMI, AND HOUSTON. OUR CUSTOMERS ARE TREATED WITH THE HIGHEST RESPECT AND HONOR. WE CUSTOMIZE OUR SERVICE AROUND ALL OF YOUR TRANSPORTATION NEEDS. FOR SAFE RELIABLE AND FAST SERVICE TRY US TODAY. WE ARE EAGER TO SERVE YOU. CALL FOR A QUOTE TODAY! RECEIVE 10% DISCOUNT 770-376-7531
STARR TRANSPORTATION SERVICE
http://www.starr-transportation.com/
Most community colleges offer a class called "Print Making". Sometimes this class will offer screen printing but sometimes not. I have never heard of any college offering strictly "Screen Printing". But, I could be wrong. I'd like to take a class like that anyway. But yes, they will supply you with what you need except they may make you purchase the ink.
ReplyDeleteScreen printing supplies
This is a pill that you get from the vet that will kill all of the fleas that get on the animal for the first 24 hours. Second, use either Frontline or Advantage, these can also be purchased from the vet. Frontline can be used on pets 12 weeks old or older.
ReplyDeletePest Control NYC
Having read this I thought it was very enlightening. I appreciate you finding the time and energy to put this informative article together. I once again find myself spending way too much time both reading and commenting.But so what, it was still worth it! Accountant Houston
ReplyDeleteI've seen promotions for FabriClear which is a sprinkle execute on-contact figuratively speaking. You might be fascinated in case you would lean toward not to of course light your home with rubbing alcohol. Silhouette cameo
ReplyDeleteFirstly I might need to compliment you that you set out to make on this honest to goodness and basic point. Likewise, you're making has an encourage that clearly express how awesome a creator you are. Texas CPA
ReplyDeleteMuch thanks to you for posting so valuable bit of data. It is extremely useful amid concentrating on procedure. In the event that that someone needs high caliber and unique scholarly papers this solid source is for Alumawood
ReplyDeleteHe calculated that such a balloon could lift a considerable mass, and hence that 'mini-cities' or airborne towns of thousands of people could be built in this way.
ReplyDeletePrivate Server
Not in the Big Apple where a few big brokers monopolize the rental, condo & co-op markets; keep secret listings; have non-competitive commission rates; and sabotaged all efforts at estblishing a multiple listing service.
ReplyDeletemanhattan pest control
Focus on the Customer, Client and Market - Able to anticipate and meet the changing needs of clients, employers, customers, and markets better than competitors.
ReplyDeleteaccountant houston
Cameos come in several background colors from pale pink, pale orange, through deep reddish brown all the way to a very dark background, so think about how it will look with your skin tone.
ReplyDeletecameo silhouette
Now I still look way younger then I actually am:they think that I am at least 16 years younger then my real age,
ReplyDeleteBut it runs in the family:we all look years younger then we are.My oldest sister is 66 and looks like 45.
So,what you see as a disadvantage now is in the long run a big benefit.
www.newtestosterone.com
An average framework used by Asian teachers as a piece of math classes is to have children show however numerous particular responses for an issue as could be normal considering the present situation, and a while later to have the class discuss which methodologies are for the most part powerful.
ReplyDeletetop bandsaw reviews
I might want to thank you for the endeavors you have made in composing this article. I am trusting the same best work from you later on also.
ReplyDeleteCertified translation
You can buy a modest sized "sand" blasting cabinet to do your own etching of the glass, but hand cutting the mask (especially with tape as suggested) can be as tricky as using the diamond bit.
ReplyDeletechanel button ring
I'm essentially satisfied along with your great work.You put truly extremely supportive data. Keep it up. Continue blogging. Hoping to perusing your next post ledger stone orlando, fl
ReplyDeleteI recently discovered your blog and have already been reading along. I believed I would leave my first comment. I don't understand what to state except that I have enjoyed reading. Nice blog. I could keep visiting this blog very often. Weekend Photography Classes
ReplyDeletePretty good post. I just stumbled upon your blog and wanted to express that I have really enjoyed reading your blog posts. In any manner I'll be subscribing to your feed and I really hope you post again soon. Monthly grocery credit tracking
ReplyDelete