Habari--
The day started off as an rest day - being Sunday. We went with Robert, the local double E (electrical engineer) a new friend, to his son’s baptism. We drove to his father’s house and had breakfast with his family. His father then performed an intimate naming ceremony calling Robert’s son Asante (thank you in Swahili).We then walked a short distance to attend the service at his fathers Apolositc Church. It was a sweet service with singing and prayers. Robert’s father, Rev J introduced us and we made a short speech of thanks to the congregation, then we walked back to their house for lunch. It was a large feast, complete with Belimi beers! Quite an experience. Very generous people who showed us a good time. His family has been in TZ for several generations. Very religious and connected to the church. We talked with Robert’s father about religion, Africa, and life in general.
Then quite by accident we mentioned that we had seen the Karadea Solar Training Center the day before on one of our forays to the next town. I had been trying to get in touch with them for sometime as I knew they were near Kayanga and were focused on solar. Since it was Saturday it wasn’t open, but we poked around and made a plan to come back for a visit. Turns out that Robert’s father is on the board. Well that opened up a whole new conversation about power and electricity, what we were doing in TZ, and how we might work together. They were very interested in the project. They thought the use of the SACCO’s was a very good idea. It enabled people to rely on the project. In the past other people had come with projects, but since they were operated by “outsiders”, they stopped when those people left. In addition, since there wasn’t a sustainable model they failed because no local person had an vested interest. Rev J and Robert and his brother asked about regional PV power in the 10-100kW size. He said that there were only three or four substations in the area with little electrical penetration off the substations. When I asked about our need for a lawyer Rev J and Robert said they had a very good one they used when they started a consulting firm for local electrical work. Strangely enough it turns out their suggestions was the same one the our NGO partners use. Not sure if this is a good idea.
William Rutta from Kiroyera tours recommended this same lawyer too. Yesterday he had texted us to tell me that his lawyer was in Kayanga town visiting from Bukoba. (Seems that everyone texts here. Because cell phones are about $0.50/min. and texts are about $0.06 each, most everyone texts when they can. E-mail is less used because not everyone has access to computers or the internet. I noticed this a lot in India too. I have learned to text the old school way, without a QWERTY keyboard. Like Swahili, practice makes perfect.) He suggested calling and setting up an appointment. We kept trying to meet last night, but this being Africa, we missed each other. I figured that I’d meet him in Bukoba, on my way to Mwanza. However, Robert got Kubanga on the phone and arranged a meeting. After stuffing ourselves with food we left to go back to Kayanga.
On the way back we checked out a house that Robert’s brother knew about. A neighbor was looking to rent out a house that he was finishing up construction. The area was not perfect, the house needed a few details (tiling and the last of the plumbing), and there was no real western kitchen. It seemed comfortable enough, but the area was a little far from town, and one that we would have to get used to. Robert then took Joel and I to meet Kabugana the lawyer.
After our meeting we all met Leonard and had drinks. We agreed that the short term plan is to: finalize our Tanzania entity, sign a term sheet with KADERES, having a meeting with the SACCO’s to present our project plans & get feedback, and start a small pilot project at one of the SACCO’s to see how it runs. Grand plans that will take effort and planning based on the constraints of Africa.
10-13-08
I’m about to get on the bus for a 3 hour drive to Bukoba. I’ll then get the overnight ferry to Mwanza. I have been able to set up at least one appointment with a lawyer and investigate batteries and solar equipment at a store run by another LADM winner. I’m also meeting Joel’s friend Mukumbo who apparently has good connections. He said he would make some introductions to advocate friends that he has worked with.
Badai! (Bye
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