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Dear All,
It has long puzzled me why projects using DIY Solar can 'take off' in some places but not others.
Until recently I used an old newspaper article about Fred Migai - see more below - as one example to show how
it can be the basis of a successful business.
Like Kofi I do not see a profit as being essential but it can be useful - in more than one way!
I was forcibly reminded of Fred when I came across the piece below now on the Solar Aid site.
They are expanding this pv plate technique into other countries though we now prefer offering pv modules instead.
They are also pushing the solarised oil lamp as another way of using DIY Solar and it looks, 10 years after I gave up trying,
that DFID will soon be offering their support. Can miracles really happen! Perhaps?
I was also interested by the comment, "it's easier to pull big projects together than it is in Africa", as just recently several
Nabuur African villages have been 'playing' with the idea of using DIY Solar while a Nabuur project in Cambodia is about to order
hundreds of pv modules!
Just how do you persuade people to 'have a go'?
Graham
Here's another tale that involves scaleability, African and otherwise. In Nairobi, on the way home, we met a chap called Fred.
Our Head of Programmes, John Keane, trained Fred two years ago to wire solar chargers. Fred then lived in a Nairobi slum.
He took his tiny savings, bought the raw materials for two chargers, wired them up them and sold them.
With the profits he bought four, made them and sold them. And so on.
Now, seventy people work for Fred. He is in Zambia and then Malawi at the moment, doing training for us.
As for non-African scaleability, we met all the agencies you need to in Lilongwe, the capital.
Everyone, from the Malawian government, through the UN, to the Brits, wanted to help.
Our most encouraging meeting was actually at the British High Commission and the UK Department for International Development.
A senior official there heard our story, and how we have similar operations on the ground now in Tanzania and Zambia.
He thought for a moment and said: why don't you try to replace every kerosene lantern in Africa? Nick and I looked at each other.
It's not often we are out-ambitioned by British government officials.
He explained how it could be done, in principle.
We would propose a mega-project signed on to by all African governments that would go to the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) of the Climate Convention for accreditation.
The CDM entails organisations hard-pressed to make carbon cuts in the North paying for cuts made in solar lanterns substituted for kerosene ones in the South.
This would be bound to appeal to African governments, the UK official said, because so far most of the CDM $millions have gone to Asia and Latin America, where it's easier to pull big projects together than it is in Africa. Nick and I went away gratefully and are working on this.
--- In mendenyo@yahoogroups.com, David mutua <davenzainga@...> wrote:
>
> Dear Peter,
> Thanks for yours, i am happy to read your ideas and vision for DIY Solar electric power in Mbita - Rusinga Island. I would really want to share and learn more on this project with you and others who have been involved but there are few issues probably we might need to look at or review our strategies.
> Honestly have heard from no one about turning it to be a fully competitive sustainable business since we started, probably Graham has some news on groups or people who have been able to do that after the technology transfer (Trainings). I know we have had lots of training programmes on assembly of the systems and a few stories of some trained youths engaging into business of selling the complete products but am not sure how far they went. Graham is there any of the stories probably from John, Leo, Kibera group and probably other groups?
> In Nigeria with Fantsuam Foundation I introduced the project with help from Graham, John and Leo, i did an awareness campaign and trained 25 youths on how to assemble the systems, we tried on small radios, phones and LED lights and it worked, our challenges were sourcing of the plates because then i had to buy from Kenya just for training, developing a quality and competitive product due to lack of a fairly equipped and up to standards assembly plant or workshop, lack of well developed business skills and the introduction of the solar mobile chargers by MTN through one of our Projects, we also noticed that China was producing lots of the small solar electric systems and their supply chain was enormous. I am sure some of this challenges are faced by others who have engaged into the DIY solar project, so i think we probably need to identify people who have addressed them and have success stories to learn from them or have to do it ourselves with a well
> defined plan and cutting edge technology innovation and business plan OR just decide probably is a project not for making profits or entrepreneurship's but socially addressing the small power needs in rural communities.
>
> Peter, probably we can discuss further and introduce to you the Kibera group when i am back from the UK next week.
>
> With Kind regards,
>
> David N. Mutua
>
>
> --- On Sun, 7/20/08, peter ongele peterongele@... wrote:
> From: peter ongele peterongele@...
> Subject: Re: [mendenyo] Peter, Graham, next steps with solar panels?
> To: mendenyo@yahoogroups.com
> Cc: ms@...
> Date: Sunday, July 20, 2008, 12:06 AM
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> Hi David,
>
> I'm impressed to learn that we have you in Kenya having knowledge on this unique equipment of sola panel being put to serve in different capacities. I hope you are going to be free to share and work togather with us for success of this project. Its a very potential and of high interest within the region particularly in the fish beaches, islands and rural areas, places where we don't have electricity and even don't dream of it soon. As you travelled down country you must have been suprised, yes there are electricity poles upto mbita along the road but with no transformers/ or electricity diverging inside rural/or beaches areas. I think all our gratitude thanks would go to Andrius and Graham for their generous thoughtful hearts to us to carry us with them in their life developments.
>
>
>
> I'm still waiting to receive sample of the mobile phone battery sola panel charger kit which I suppose is already shipped to me by Graham. Immediately it would reach me I'll let you know. Meamwhile I'm really anxious to know more on this, how your project is and have more insight awareness on usages of sola panel to open more market for your products which we can incoperate with that of Graham in the lower region here to be of income generating activity as you can remember Andrius is busy looking for us micro_finance loanings. I think if this one worked out well, we are going to have high competetive market and change of life for this region in terms of power.
>
>
>
> David, I need us to vitalise this sola panel project with vision to reach more parts of the country. When I watched the vedio Graham sent me, I'm telling you, sola panel has realy changed life to be very cheap. For example, when I use kerossine lamps, in a month I use 6 litres.I get this very expensive.
>
>
>
> I'll discuss with Andrius if it would be possible to arrange for us to meet and discuss more on the project. Otherwise stay connected. you can call me on this No. 0712252298 particularly in the evenings.
>
> God bless you.
>
> PETER ONGELE.
>
>
>
>
>
> --- On Mon, 7/14/08, David mutua <davenzainga@ yahoo.com> wrote:
>
>
>
> > From: David mutua <davenzainga@ yahoo.com>
>
> > Subject: Re: [mendenyo] Peter, Graham, next steps with solar panels?
>
> > To: mendenyo@yahoogroup s.com
>
> > Date: Monday, July 14, 2008, 10:14 AM
>
> > Dear Andrius, Peter and Graham,
>
> > I am impressed to know that the DIY Solar electric systems
>
> > projects are spreading to different parts of Kenya and
>
> > the World.
>
> >
>
> > Graham, longest time, probably i can share my experience
>
> > on DIY in Kenya and Nigeria with people like Peter and
>
> > Sam. A few weeks ago i visited Sam's center in Mbita
>
> > and i heard him mention the DIY project and was excited
>
> > that it was one project i had some experience of since 2002
>
> > when You, Pam and I started networking and later John with
>
> > the Kibera Youth group (Fred Ouko) and when i started the
>
> > DIY project in Fantsuam Foundation.
>
> >
>
> > Probably, Sam and Peter can learn from the many groups that
>
> > are working on this project.
>
> >
>
> > Regards,
>
> >
>
> > David N. Mutua
>
> > Returned VSO Volunteer,
>
> >
>
> > --- On Mon, 7/14/08, ms@... ms@... wrote:
>
> >
>
> > From: ms@... ms@...
>
> > Subject: [mendenyo] Peter, Graham, next steps with solar
>
> > panels?
>
> > To: mendenyo@yahoogroup s.com
>
> > Date: Monday, July 14, 2008, 9:49 AM
>
> >
>
> >
>
> >
>
> >
>
> >
>
> >
>
> > I called Peter Ongele today and we agreed that he would
>
> > continue to work
>
> > for me and share his work at the Mendenyo working group led
>
> > by Samwel
>
> > Kongere. I share Peter's letters. Kofi, I also take the
>
> > liberty to share
>
> > your reply. We are all trying to learn to work together and
>
> > I think we
>
> > will succeed. Peter, I am very happy for your work with
>
> > Graham Knight,
>
> > and I add his letter, too, which is relevant as well. There
>
> > will always
>
> > be some friction, that is normal. Let's keep making
>
> > progress. Graham,
>
> > Peter, what are next steps in our working together? Andrius
>
> > Kulikauskas,
>
> > ms@..., http://www.ms. lt
>
> >
>
> > ------------ ---------
>
> >
>
> > Dear Andrius,
>
> >
>
> > I don't suppose I really need to tell you that money
>
> > causes more problems
>
> > than almost any other factor in our lives!
>
> >
>
> > I still remember the day in a job where, unlike my usual
>
> > self, I was enraged.
>
> > I was like nearly everyone else, I felt that I was not
>
> > being paid my due.
>
> > It was so ridiculous that I swore I would never again let
>
> > money so take me
>
> > over!
>
> >
>
> > So long as the finances of the organisation are open there
>
> > should not be
>
> > too many who will object to you having more than others.
>
> >
>
> > Yours
>
> >
>
> > Graham
>
> >
>
> > P.S. Are you aware of the anti-white rant from Peter
>
> > Ongele? Does he think
>
> > you are bribing him?
>
> > Quite mystifying!
>
> >
>
> > ------------ ---------
>
> >
>
> > Hellow Andrius,
>
> > Its with sad regret that I've dicided to call off my
>
> > participation in
>
> > all whatever you do in Mincius Sodas Lab. and to stop
>
> > getting any group
>
> > email until further notice due to the facts below. It seems
>
> > my thoughts
>
> > are parallel and I would not wish to interfere with
>
> > anybodies way of
>
> > life. I've not trained myself in this kind of life.
>
> > I would actually take this opportunity to thank you all for
>
> > inspiring
>
> > events, assistance in my education, God bless you for your
>
> > generosity
>
> > togather with all your family. May you prospare and remain
>
> > pyramid of
>
> > love and peace to people your hand may reach. I'm
>
> > really convinced of
>
> > your good heart, may God bless you. I'll not dissappear
>
> > with your
>
> > money but I promise come middle next year I'll arrange
>
> > for it. I'll
>
> > not forget, its in my diary.
>
> > Thanks,
>
> > PETER ONGELE.
>
> >
>
> > --- On Sun, 7/13/08, kofi thompson <peakofithompson@
>
> > yahoo.co. uk> wrote:
>
> >
>
> > > > From: kofi thompson <peakofithompson@
>
> > yahoo.co. uk>
>
> > > > Subject: Fw: Greetings.
>
> > > > To: "Pamela McLean"
>
> > pam54321@googlemai l .com>
>
> > > > Cc: "peter ongele" <peterongele@
>
> > yahoo.com>, "Graham"
>
> > DIYSolar@btinterne t .com>
>
> > > > Date: Sunday, July 13, 2008, 4:49 AM
>
> > > > Dear Pamela,
>
> > > >
>
> > > > I am sending you this because I want to ensure
>
> > that no one
>
> > > > can point fingers at my in future. I received
>
> > this a short
>
> > > > while ago. I have not wish to be dragged by
>
> > anyone into
>
> > > > unhelpful disputes of any sort.
>
> > > >
>
> > > > Peter, please respect this wish. I withdrew
>
> > quietly from
>
> > > > your group, because it became a slightly
>
> > uncomfortable
>
> > > > place for me to be in
>
> > > >
>
> > > > I am a simple man completely without an ego - so
>
> > I
>
> > > > don't engage in any Lemming-like rush up the
>
> > greasy
>
> > > > pole of life. I wish to be left alone, Peter.
>
> > > >
>
> > > > Please do not communicate with me any
>
> > further.Thank you
>
> > > > - and God bless.
>
> > > >
>
> > > > Best wishes,
>
> > > >
>
> > > > Kofi Thompson
>
> > > >
>
> > > > --- On Sun, 13/7/08, peter ongele
>
> > > > <peterongele@ yahoo.com> wrote:
>
> > > >
>
> > > > From:"Pamela McLean"
>
> > > > pam54321@googlemai l .com>,
>
> > > > Subject: Greetings.
>
> > > > To: peakofithompson@ yahoo.co. uk
>
> > > > Date: Sunday, 13 July, 2008, 10:11 AM
>
> > > >
>
> > > > Hi Kofi,
>
> > > > I hope you are doing well in Ghana. I'm fine
>
> > in
>
> > > > Kenya. Sorry for writing
>
> > > > to you a private letter, bear it with me for some
>
> > good
>
> > > > reasons to advice and
>
> > > > assist me on a rising matters in the forum of
>
> > > > mendenyoyahoogroups .
>
> > > > Of late I hope you have seen a number of comments
>
> > from
>
> > > > Andrius, Janet,
>
> > > > Samwel Kongere and many others in the forum
>
> > concerning this
>
> > > > online
>
> > > > communications on claims of gost informations on
>
> > projects
>
> > > > being undertaken by
>
> > > > different groups in different countries.Common
>
> > with
>
> > > > NGOs,Small groups and
>
> > > > Governments. This is uncalled for behaviour in
>
> > most
>
> > > > countries in Africa.
>
> > > > You have seen most of the communications in the
>
> > forum
>
> > > > are just like
>
> > > > logistic summeries of whatever happening in the
>
> > forum but
>
> > > > with no touchable,
>
> > > > accountable and transparency of project commands.
>
> > No
>
> > > > achievements, no
>
> > > > universal bio_diversity objectives to the
>
> > targeted
>
> > > > communities. I get deeply
>
> > > > affected for these kind of behavoiur. You have
>
> > joined the
>
> > > > team recently just
>
> > > > like me, please can you help me to analyse the
>
> > general
>
> > > > goals, objectives, which
>
> > > > group of people targeted and to understand
>
> > whether this is
>
> > > > the right way of
>
> > > > changing the world life in science, communication
>
> > and
>
> > > > poverty eradication. Or
>
> > > > what may be the intention behind all these forum
>
> > activities
>
> > > > for us in Africa as
>
> > > > a continent.
>
> > > > My friend I hate misuse of ideas, knowledge and
>
> > time
>
> > > > for things which does
>
> > > > not exist in life. I have commented a times in
>
> > the forum
>
> > > > about this issue but
>
> > > > I get little noticed. I hoped to see ideas
>
> > exchanged,
>
> > > > shared in wiki pages,
>
> > > > new ideas, achievements, failures,
>
> > accountabilities and
>
> > > > transparencies in the
>
> > > > forum but instead you hear, ooh_ so and so is con
>
> > man, waa_
>
> > > > so and so has
>
> > > > disappeared with money, some people are
>
> > interested in
>
> > > > online gost projects for
>
> > > > income, what are all these? I feel uncomfortable,
>
> > guilty
>
> > > > and betryal to my
>
> > > > community and Africa as a whole. I don't care
>
> > about
>
> > > > these moneys dished out
>
> > > > to us. But I would like to see informing
>
> > informations,
>
> > > > awareness , comperatives
>
> > > > of these informations, share ideas of how you do
>
> > things and
>
> > > > develop in your
>
> > > > place there. Sponsered projects to be of interest
>
> > to
>
> > > > everbody in forum and this
>
> > > > would call for real work, accountability and
>
> > transparency.
>
> > > > I don't think
>
> > > > that we are interested get money for
>
> > > > group projects only from these white people, we
>
> > can still
>
> > > > organise from
>
> > > > ourselves to bring our resources togather and we
>
> > can still
>
> > > > reach our
>
> > > > objectives.
>
> > > > Please think over these issues, and share it with
>
> > me.
>
> > > > I would first
>
> > > > suggest we digest this before its brought to the
>
> > forum in
>
> > > > the polite way and in
>
> > > > an independent way of thinking.
>
> > > > Thank you in advance for taking your time to look
>
> > > > for this message. God
>
> > > > bless you.
>
> > > > PETER ONGELE.
>
> > > >
>
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