Installing Suitcases

Installing Suitcases

Today was our first chance to get some solar suitcases to the Masai people of Kenya. Before we went out we had a Swahili lesson with a Masai Warrior, Robert.

Breakfast with the pro installers–Brian, Jay, Melvin and Hillary.

Myself and Robert, the Maasai warrior accompanying us.

Max, Isaiah and Matt–ready to install some suitcases.

Amy enjoying the ride.

Maasai goats and sheep we saw along the way

A picturesque shot of a homestead in front of rugged Masai Mara hills. 

Next stop was a tour of a school built by WE (the charity organization that is arranging our stay and travel in Kenya). We saw old classrooms and the new ones that WE built. We also learned about the  educational system.

Just one of the spectacular views from the WE school.

One of the old classrooms, built around 1996

Amy sitting in one of the new classrooms.

The group of twelve broke into 2 teams of 6 and went out on the Safari lorry to two different Village Savings and Loan Associations. (VLSAS). These are organizations formed by the village women to provide needed infrastructure and services to the community. Aside from using the suitcases to provide light and device charging, one of the main plans is to open a community barber shop with solar powered electric clippers. Charging a small fee for a haircut will allow the VLSA to generate income with which to fund projects for the villages.

This is the lorry, the vehicle we travel around the dirt roads of the Mara in

In  the first VLSA the solar suitcase will provide light for four rooms, a barber shop, a kitchen, a meeting room and a bedroom. The meeting room willalso be used as study space for children who will now be able to do school work and study after dark. Kyle, Amy and Bryan and Hillary (professional We Share Solar suitcase installers) did most of the work. I was very busy “supervising” the work.

In the second village the VLSA runs a small Duka (store) and they also have room where they grind corn for the village. The light from the solar suitcase will allow then to extend the hours they can grind the corn, providing greater quantities of grain for the villagers.

When Team A puled up the village we were once again greeted warmly with songs dancing an plenty of hand shakes to all the community members. We all had a great time meeting the villagers and installing the systems. The kids we met were incredibly cute and fun to play with.

The professional videographer asked us not to use our cameras during the installation today. I guess video of people taking pictures of is not that engaging. Go figure! I was promised however that we will get a copy of the professional video documenting the event when it is completed. Look out for that one when I get back.  Amy and Kyle say hi and big love to everyone at Independence especially the Solar Suitcase Team  Stay tuned everyone!