Solar Technology Program
October 2021 -April 2022
Theory of Change
Access to electricity is an unmet need in large areas of rural Tanzania. Efficient and easy-to-use systems of solar-generated energy have recently been optimized for rural home installation and use.
Through this program Lalafofofo-Amka Sasa installed individual “solar kits” in traditional homes (“bomas” in local Kiswahili) in remote areas of the Maasailand in Kilimanjaro region, such as Tindigani village.
Umeme (electricity) in this community will boost quality of life by increasing access to cell phones and thereby personal security, as well as lengthen the day for cooking and homework. This program will also provide recipients with new skill sets in maintaining the solar kits. To learn more about this program read our 2020 report on solar technology and electricity access in rural Tanzania.
The solar kits installed on homes in the Kilimanjaro region.
An elder Maasai woman standing outside her boma (home).
Funding
In October 2020 we received a $34K grant to start our Solar Installation project in Tindegani village for November 2020 to August 2021! Thank you to Makers4Good and Amped Innovation for all their work on this project.
Program Manager, Justin Mtunga, installing kit on roof.
Goals
Provide access to electricity to most remote and impoverished partner community.
Increase day-light hours for homework and household chores.
Empower female community members by selecting solar-kit recipients who are second wives with children.
Improve home security from wild animals.
Students with miniature solar kits.
Impact
This project installed 133 solar home systems and employed 5 locals through 6 months of active installations. Program will continue to be serviced for the next 5 years.
By developing our lean-data survey system, we furthered our trusted relationship with the community and developed a more direct pipeline for Maasai community partner feedback on the solar kits.
See below for recipient testimonials.
Program Testimonials
“We are so blessed to get this light everywhere - there is no more darkness, and we are so happy!” - [Neema Mayaka]
“There is no problem with the light, inside and out. I turn the outside light on from 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. Thank you so much! The outside light really helps me with my goats, and the kids use it too.” - [Stella Noah]
"I am thankful for the aid of solar. There was one light with a problem, but it's was fixed and the solar works very well. I turn on the light from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. Thank you so much!” - [Rehema Ezeke]