London Fashion Helping Africa

We're in talks with one of the designers featured in this CNN video, and she seems keen on supporting Solar Jooce's work in Nigeria. Fingers crossed, watch this space...

Imagine Solar (USA) interviews Dave

Watch Dave's interview with Imagine Solar

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K_SSHs-7dmM

http://imaginesolar.com/success-stories/

Solar Jooce on CNN i-List

CNN's i-List is a special program that visits a different country each month and looks towards its future.

i-List highlights innovation and influence in business, industry, culture and more.

i-List visited Africa for the first time in October 2010, with special programs from Nigeria. Its report on energy in Nigeria mentions Solar Jooce as one of two organisations spreading the use of solar power, particularly among rural communities.

Copy and paste the link below into your browser to view the i-List report - 'Why Nigerians are left in the dark':

http://edition.cnn.com/2010/TECH/web/10/05/lightup.nigeria.power.failure/index.html

Solar Installation Servicing - Gulmin Boka, Niger state

October 14, 2010... Solar Jooce travelled to Gulmin Boka, Niger state where the company had previously donated a solar panel array to the Lutheran Church Bible School.

Solar Jooce was pleased to note that the solar panels continue to successfully light up a series of buildings within the vicinity, including classrooms, the church and living quarters.

The panels were serviced during this visit by volunteer Solar Jooce volunteer Engineer, Ojo Ekundayo.

New lighting needs were also discussed with the School's Vice-Principal (Mr Hosea Yare), and Reverend Japhet Lawrence (Head of Mission Kontagora district – including Gulmin Boka).


First view of Gulmin Boka


L-R: Reverend Japhet Lawrence (Head of Mission, Kontagora district – including Gulmin Boka), with Mr Hosea Yare (Vice Principal), and Ojo Ekundayo (volunteer Solar Engineer) discussing additional lighting options for the mission


Mission classroom1 at the Lutheran Church Bible school facility is connected to the solar panel so students are able to study in the evenings for the first time


Mission classroom2 now has light, thanks to its being connected to the solar panel


Solar Engineer, Ojo Ekundayo, servicing the previous Solar Jooce installation at the Lutheran Church Bible school facility,Gulmin Boka



Lutheran church, Gumin Boka now has light so that services and meetings can be held conveniently in the evenings.


Candidates at the Lutheran Bible school Teachers' Training facility in Gulmin Boka. Solar panel pictured on roof.

Solar Installation in Danko Masalachi, Niger state

Location: Danko Masalachi, Lauun LGA, Niger state
Date: October 13, 2010

Solar Jooce heads to Niger state for another set of solar installations in Danko Masalachi LGA of Niger state.

Transportation was proudly sponsored by Hertz Rent-a-Car, a company that has consistently keyed into Solar Jooce's "Solar for the Masses" vision.


Solar Jooce CEO, Dave Agbakoba (L) poses with staff of the Hertz Corporation (Abuja office). As a corporate vehicle sponsor, Hertz have consistently provided excellent service and critical logistical support to Solar Jooce. Seated (in a black suit) is Wumi Kolade, Abuja branch Manager for Hertz. Standing (5th, Left in a striped tie) is Femi Yusuf who drove Team Solar Jooce across 36 states of Nigeria on the initial Solar for the Masses road expedition (May 26-June 12, 2010)



Approaching Danko Masalachi Village in Lauun LGA of Niger state where a solar lighting kit will be installed



Still on the way to Masalachi


Presenting solar donation in Danko Masalachi Village, Lauun LGA of Niger state. L-R: Isah Usman (Village Head); Curious onlookers; Dave Agbakoba (Solar Jooce); James Dantala Yisa (CHEDA-NGO); and Jiya Y Usman (Head of local community Health Center facility)


Primary Healthcare centre in Masalachi, Lauun LGA of Niger state. Far off the beaten track and without electricity


Volunteer Solar Engineer, Ojo Ekundayo, tests solar kit prior to installation at the Primary Healthcare centre in Danko Masalachi as James Yisa of CHEDA (an NGO) and Jiya Y. Joseph (Facility Head) look on

Solar Kit Installations in Gamawa, Bauchi state

Location: Gamawa, Bauchi state, Nigeria
Date: October 05, 2010

Led by Dave Agbakoba, Solar Jooce recently travelled to the rural community of Gamawa in Bauchi state of Nigeria to donate & install solar kits in rural healthcare centres.

The journey was kindly facilitated by the Bauchi state Ministry of Rural Development.

The solar kits were sponsored by Dr. Adaeze Paintin and her husband, Gabby Paintin who both live and work in the United Kingdom. Adaeze works as a gynaecologist and, naturally, her preference was for illumination to be brought to rural (maternal) healthcare centers, where lack of light continues to cause patients to be turned away at night, or routine medical procedures go very wrong due to lack of visibility.

Solar Jooce followed the brief to the letter.


October 05, 2010... From L-R Village Head (Sarkin Alagarno) Alhaji Dauda Mohammed; Engineer Aliyu (Bauchi state Ministry of Rural Development); Alhassan Bello Gololo (Gamawa community member); and Dave Agbakoba (Solar Jooce CEO) arrive Gamawa LGA in Bauchi State to set up solar kits in rural healthcare centres. Solar light in a box!


Patients outside the Alargarno maternity Primary Healthcare center in Gamawa LGA, Bauchi - where there's no electricity at all. Totally off-grid



Primary Healthcare center II (Maternity facility) in Gamawa, Bauchi state. L-R Hajiya Jumai Bappah Gamawa (Maternal & Healthcare Supervisor, Primary Healthcare Dept of Gamawa LGA); Hajiya Rakiya Ibrahim Gamawa (Facility Supervisor); Alhassan Bello Gololo (Gamawa community member); Dave Agbakoba; Engineer Aliyu, and another community member



Hajiya Jumai Bappah Gamawa (Maternal & Healthcare Supervisor, Primary Healthcare Dept of Gamawa LGA) showing off the facility's portable solar lighting kit



Engineer Hussaini Gidado Aliyu (Ministry of Rural Development, Bauchi) being assisted by Mr Alhassan Bello Gololo (Water Sanitation and Hygene co-ordinator, Gamawa) at the Alagarno Primary Healthcare center


Job done. WASH (Water Sanitation and Hygiene) coordinator, Alhassan Bello Gololo lets go as the solar kit installation is completed at Alagarno Maternity clinic, Gamawa. No more hazardous candles will be used at the centre. No more expensive kerosene. No more births aided by torchlights (flashlights) or moonlight.

Solar for Primary Healthcare in Gamawa LGA, Bauchi

At Gamawa Local Government premises in Bauchi state – Dave Agbakoba (Solar Jooce CEO), and Senior Electrical Engineer, Hussaini Gidado Aliyu (M.Sc Electrical engineering Dhaka, Bangladesh) of the Bauchi Ministry of Rural Development

The 2nd phase of our pan-Nigeria solar mission (titled Energy Independence Nigeria) kicked off on October 1, 2010 to coincide with Nigeria's 50th independence celebration.

October 5, 2010, solar hanging lights (sponsored by Ada & Kojo Paintin of the United Kingdom) were set up at Primary Healthcare Centres in Gamawa L.G.A of Bauchi state.

Solar Jooce received remarkable cooperation from Bauchi state Ministry of Rural Development, with the Permanent Secretary ensuring we had a 4-wheel drive for the approximately 295km journey from Bauchi city to the remote city of Gamawa.

The efficiency in arranging logistic support was all the more impressive because my meeting with the Permanent Secretary, Alhaji Mohammed Garba Gamawa, occured just a day prior to departure from Bauchi city.

Pictures from the solar set-up in Gamawa will follow…

Dave

More Work Looms...

Adaeze & Gabby Paintin

Dr. Adaeze [Eronini] Paintin – originally from Imo state (South Eastern Nigeria) – is a British citizen, and works as a gynaecologist. She is married to Gabby, an engineer who spent his early years in Ghana before relocating to the UK.

Adaeze & Gabby continue to support our work, and have just sponsored five solar hanging lights to be set up in a rural area in Nigeria. One of the target recipients of their donation will be primary healthcare centres, following Adaeze’s natural concern for infant/maternal wellness before, during, and after childbearing.

In the next few weeks, Adaeze & Gabby's donation will be matched to some of the requests we have received from state governments for basic solar lighting in rural communities. During their next trip to Nigeria, this generous couple will get to meet members of the community that have benefitted from their gift.

Adaeze has had a long history of supporting charitable causes, having run several 5k races in the UK (with Gabby cheering on) in support of cancer research. Gabby is passionate about social causes.

Watch this space for pictures from 'Paintin-sponsored' solar light installations.

August 08, 2010 - David's Report on Gulmin Boka

We finally got a report from David Osokolo (volunteer solar engineer) about the solar installation at the Bible Training School (Gulmin Boka, Niger state). In his prior email, David reported that the solar installation has become a tourist attraction of sorts, considering that Gulmin Boks & its environs have no electricity. His most recent email email reads:

"Dear Anne, thank you so much for the opportunity [to work with the people at Gulmin Boka]. The installation was a complete success. The people, especially the principal and Rev. Japhet, are so thankful."

Below is a full report from David.

SJ Installation - Gulmin Boka, Niger State

Feedback from Solar Lamp Recipients

James Yisa, our local guide across 9 states during our 36-state road expedition, gives feedback about the impact of Solar Jooce solar lamps to a benficiary community

James Yisa is the hardworking owner of an NGO (Centre for Health & Development in Africa) and was our decdicated Northern guide during Solar Jooce's 36-state Solar for the Masses expedition. He sent in the email below, reporting on the impact our solar lamp donation was making on a particular recipient community (Danchitagi village in Niger state):

"We were at Danchitagi community last week, and the solar lamp donated by Solar Jooce is really making a remarkable impact on the lives of the community members."

Here is an axcerpt of James' report:
The Community Health extension worker (CHEW) of Danchitagi Primary Healthcare Centre noted that the [solar] lamp has not only made their work easy but has also increased patronage and quality of services at the health facility compared with when they had to rely on touch light and hurricane lamp. He added that the lamp has also saved the cost of having to buy kerosene.

The lamp which has become a thing of wonder to some while others call it a magical lamp has not failed to attract the attention of the community members.

[The CHEW] noted that a number facility staff working in health facilities within the neighboring communities like Ebangi, Gbade, Jima, Sausa and Edobaba who have had or seen the lamp have expressed their delight and would appreciate if Solar Jooce could extend the kind gesture to their own health facilities.

To read the entire report, please click on the link below:
Solar Jooce: Solar Lamp Recipient Report (Danchitagi Primary Healthcare Centre, Niger state, Nigeria)

July 31, 2010 - Mission Accomplished (Gulmin Boka)

May 26, 2010 - Solar Jooce's first visit to Niger state [location: Danchitagi village, Lawun Local Govt. Area]. Anne and Dave Agbakoba interact with warmly welcoming villagers

"Jooced up, running, happy people, I'm off". This was the text message we received at 5.52pm from our volunteer Solar Engineer, David Osokolo, to confirm that solar lighting at the Bible Training College (Gulmin Boka, Niger state) was up and running!

The students are reportedly excited to move away from darkness to a future of uninterrupted light. Having partially invested in the newly installed 60W solar panel, we are sure the Training School will see to the kit's longevity.

We will upload pictures and stories as soon as David recovers from the over 28-hour return trip to Gulmin Boka (from Lagos state) by road.

July 24, 2010 - Another Assignment on the Horizon

Solar Jooce's highly skilled and tireless volunteer Solar Engineer, David Osokolo, gets ready to set off for Gulmin Boka in Niger state where he will set up solar panels to illuminate the village's Bible Training School

Since the completion of our 36-state tour, we've had requests coming in from rural Nigeria for solar lighting assistance.

After reviewing a few well thought-out applications, we settled for a last-minute submission from the Bible Training School at Gulmin Boka village (near Kotangora, Niger state). Their request articulated a simple but urgent need, with an intention to contribute a small amount towards ownership of a solar lighting solution.

A major problem faced by the students of the School is the absence of power to provide light to read/study at night.

Reverend Linus Timawus, who co-ordinates developmental projects in the area, had earlier on sensitised the School about the need to take their development into their own hands. He was therefore happy to mobilise the School and a few other entities to make a financial contribution towards owning our solar kit donation (the solar kit was purchased 100% by Solar Jooce). The contribution of the Bible Training School would be 10% of the cost of the solar kit, and a token fee for installation by our volunteer Solar Engineer, Mr. David Osokolo.

The School will be benefitting from the solar kit that Imope village in Lagos state had failed to take advantage of.

Watch this space. In about 7 days, the project will have been completed and we will hopefully have pictures and stories of a life-changing/developmental experience to share...

June 28, 2010: Lagos state (Imope village, Ikosi-Ejirin LCDA)

Today, we undertook a 170km trip to Imope village in Ikosi-Ejirin LCDA of Lagos state. The objective was to install a free solar panel (courtesy of Solar Jooce) in the village, on the condition that it would be the backbone of an income generating micro-business: garri-processing, palm oil processing etc. This community was recommended by the Rural Development Ministry of Lagos state, and two of its officers accompanied us to Imope.

Bam! It turned out to be the MOST challenging journey since Solar Jooce was set up. First, there are only 2 ways to get to this village - via a canoe or walking on a wooden foothpath supported by stilts over water.

The solar panels and heavy duty battery went via canoe, while we took the other route, drove some distance by car and proceeded to walk atop a very long wooden foot path. Mid way walking, part of the shaky bridge broke and three of us found ourselves ankle-deep in water. Luckily we had fallen in a shallow water area. My word, while our local guides traversed this 'bridge' with relative ease (they instinctively knew where the wooden planks had weakened and so avoided those areas), we sweated buckets while envisioning falling headlong into reptile infested waters.

With great relief, we proudly crossed the bridge, both ways, in one piece. It was an invaluable experience.

At Imope, we discovered that the village of 500 inhabitants already had a generator donated to them by the Lagos state government, which they claimed not to use because they could not afford diesel. We asked why they couldn't pool kerosene expenses and apply it to purchasing diesel and they drew a blank.

It was clear that this community hadn't gotten into a productive frame of mind, and simply wanted to be spoon-fed by "Government" or any other willing donor.

It also reinforced our belief that, for a community to inculcate an ownership approach to any project, the solution was definitely not to give them handouts, but to get them to be a partial investor. With their monies invested, no matter how small, they are 110% likely to make the project succeed.

And so, we hoisted our solar panel once more onto the canoe to transport it back to dry land, while we trudged back across the delicately wobbling bridge to catch up with the solar appliance that would arrive at the other side (sea bank).

For Lagos state government, it was back to the drawing board to determine the most appropriate beneficiary for our solar panel donation. Our uncompromising brief is to select a micro-business (or group of micro-businesses), that would make a small contribution towards owning the solar kit, and for whom the kit would be life-changing.

June 25, 2010: HERTZ renews commitment to Solar Jooce

At the end of our 36-state, 17-day expedition across rural areas of Nigeria, many people asked "what next". Good question.

In conjunction with the Lagos state government (on Monday, June 28, 2010), we will be visiting a rural community in the state (Imope village in Ikosi-Ejirin local Council development Area) which has no light at all. We will have 3 objectives:

a) Determine what the solar needs of this 500-strong community are
b) Provide a solar panel that will power an income generating activity or a social service.
c) Select a couple of women who we will train as the solar panel is being installed. At the end of the project, the women will become the 'Community Solar Troubleshooters' who will fix any problems associated with the panels, or commmunicate the problems intelligently to our expert Rural Women Trainer.

Today, HERTZ Country Manager, Christian Chigbundu (pictured above), confirmed HERTZ' commitment to supporting our work long term. The company will be providing the transport to Imope village, and all other subsequent communities we will be working with nationwide. We are most appreciative of this partnership...

Expedition Concluded - The Aftermath

It's Saturday, June 12, 2010 and we're back in Lagos, having flown in from Abuja. We are extremely thankful to our Partners and Sponsors for supporting our 'Solar for the Massses' cause, which saw us driving across Nigeria in 17 gruelling days.

To Nextek Platforms who jumped on board (with little persuasion) to take care of our digital requirements.

To the individuals who took a leap of faith and sponsored solar lamps, especially Alima Atta of SESEMA PR (www.sesema.com) and Reginald Akujobi-Roberts of Diamond Bank.

To the anynmous donors who simply went to our site, sponsored lamps but didn't leave contact details.

To Hertz Rent-a-Car for the Toyota Hilux made available to us from start to finish. The Hilux perfectly suited the rugged terrain we passed through. And the Hertz driver, Femi Yusuf, whose professionalism at all times makes him a big asset to his company.

To Crystal Palace Hotel, owned by Gen. Sam Momah (rtd) - our Patron - & Mrs. Momah, for accommodation and superb hospitality.

To the Christian Rural & Urban Development Association of Nigeria (CRUDAN) for linking us to local contacts in every state. We had asked international organisations and government bodies for a database to help us plan our national itinerary, but met a brick wall. In frustration, we found CRUDAN on the Internet, contacted them two minutes to show time, and they responded swiftly. All thanks go to the organisation's Executive Director, Sam Ishaya and his team of zonal co-ordinators (David Yisa, Ayal Yohanna, Kene Onukwube, Armstrong Tseaa, and Adewale Adeduntan) for making our transition from state to state seamless.

Travel Tips
We thought it might also be useful to share some reflective thoughts. We did learn a few important lessons on the road. It is important to travel light in terms of people and equipment. You don't need a Hollywood/Nollywood production team to get your story together. A team must be able to multi-task.

Technology:
a) a USB modem might be sufficient for your browsing needs, but not for heavy file transfers
b) a Blackberry is useful for GPS functions, mobile email, and work organisation
c) a 12MP camera can come up with great shots. Always have a back-up camera.
d) you need mobile phones from two networks. Usually, one network does better in certain areas than the other network

Personal:
a) Take along bedsheets and pillowcases - you never know where you might be forced to sleep
b) a hand sanitiser is essential because you're constantly touching dirty surfaces
c) disinfectant (Dettol) is also essential as are antibiotics and ibruprofen
d) small towels instead of big ones (which do not dry quickly)
e) cotton clothing (ankara or t-shirts) take a beating and still come out tops
f) Mosquito repellant

Cultural:
a) listen, listen, listen (and observe). Learn a local greeting ahead of your planned visit. It's usually a good ice-breaker.
b) Wear a headscarf? Take off your cap/hat? Ask a local person what's appropriate or else communication may shut down between you and the host community.
c) never refuse a gift even if you won't need it
d) Rural people are far smarter than people think. Don't be patronising.

June 11, 2010: Kwara (Aladi/Gudugba, Ifelodun LGA) - Kogi (Agbadu Bunu, Kabba Bunu LGA) - Nasarawa (Nasarawa Eggon, Nasarawa Eggon LGA) - Abuja

Drive Time
Ilorin (Kwara state) - Aladi/Gudugba 45mins
Aladi/Gudugba - Agbadu Bunu 4hrs
Agbadu Bunu - Nasarawa Eggon 5hrs
Nasaraw Eggon - Abuja 2hrs

We've made it to the finish line. Not a scratch, not a hitch from the start of our 36-state road expedition (May 26, 2010), right to the very end (June 11, 2010). We did a total of 9,309km.

It has been a very humbling and eye-opening experience - meeting with, listening to and sharing ideas with rural and semi-rural communities for the 17 days we have been on the road. Grassroots people are working hard and suffering, and bearing it with dignity. Someone needs to tell their story. Someone needs to teach them how to fish, instead of throwing the odd fish their way.

Today (at stop # 35) we met a farming family hidden away in the heart of Kwara state. Sustaining themselves on home grown crops (guinea corn, cassava, yam, shea nuts, beans etc), they were proof positive that farming is the answer to ending hunger and poverty.

To the head farmer, Oliver Boor (he asked a LOT of intelligent questions about solar), our gift of a combined solar lamp/phone charger solved 4 of their their major problems:
a) Because they do not have electricity, the new solar application would ensure they could now work into the night - with bright light - sacking their produce and pounding (such as cassava and bean pods)
b) the phone charging facility of the lamp would also ensure their phones were permanently charged so that could call the city (Lagos) and negottiate prices for their produce ahead of time
c) Using the solar lamp would mean a huge savings because they would no longer have to buy so much kerosene.
d) For their health, their eyes would be less strained, and they had already made a connection between kerosene fumes and the chesty coughs some of them suffer

We helped them make a link between using solar and enhancing environmental sustainability, underlining the fact that kerosene is a harmful fossil fuel whose fumes contributed to environmental degradation.

Meanwhile, at stop #36 (Nassarawa state), our hearts bled when we saw the work being done by an NGO, the Okphwuo Foundation. Headed by Chief Ajegena, the foundation runs a tedious mobile clinic service, getting around on decrepit motorbikes and having to cross large areas of water just to get to poor communities in need of health services. Mr. Ajegena says a proper mobile light is one of the problems they face - a kerosene lantern is crucial to his job in examining & treating patients in far-flung villages that are not even connected to the national grid. Yet kerosene is so expensive, and the Foundation cannot afford it because villagers are unable to pay for health services, despite medication being heavily discounted. A vicious cycle.

Mr. Ajegena and his wife Cecilia (a volunteer and environmental health officer) were therefore thrilled to receive our solar gift, and we wished we could do so much more. You wonder why there are people making such sacrifices every day of their lives yet no-one seems to be paying attention.

We visited some of Ajegena's patients at the Foundation's site, and were sad to see a young Fulani herdsman, lying half conscious from a serious bout of cerebral malaria. Ajegena was sure the boy would eventually be fine, and told us that malaria and typhoid are the greatest killers in the many communities he travels to.

That gave us an idea - maybe on the next Solar for the Masses regional expedition, we could pack in a whole load of sponsored mosquito nets and give out to people along with solar lamps...

Connectivity

Internet: Glo Mobile works in very unexpected places. It was consistently available throughout Kogi.

Mobile: In Aladi, GLO & MTN work only in patches, and outside the house (a spot a few inches away from the gate)

In Agbadu (Kogi), GLO saved the day. It worked while MTN had no signal at all. However, in other Kogi villages (Oke Bukun, Ayegunle Igun, Odo Ape) MTN & GLO both worked.

In Lokoja (capital of Nasarawa), GLO was again the network that worked.

June 10, 2010: Lagos (Mafoluku. Oshodi LGA) - Ogun (Araromi, Oloke LGA) - Oyo (Isalu, Iseyin LGA) - Kwara

Drive Time
Lagos - Abeokuta (Ogun state) 1.5hrs
Abeokuta - Oloke village (Ogun state) 45mins
Oloke - Iseyin (Oyo state) 1.5hrs

We have done 7,487km to date and at the end of today we would have covered 33 states out of Nigeria's 36 + the Fecderal Capital Territory, Abuja.

After visiting Primary Healthcare centres across 80% of all the states in the Federation, a certain predictability has crept in. You know what to expect. A centre with little or no electricity. And the ever-present lighting substitues such as a kerosene lantern, a local bush lantern, a torch, a candle, and inventive contraptions such as the boxed battery atached to a CD, with light points on the circumference of the CD!

Joined by Loveth Azubuike, our officer in charge of Rural Women Solar Engineers, we set out for a refreshing angle today and we got lucky.

Our first discovery was a traditional borth attendant, Christy Nwachukwu, who works out of a small room, split into two sections by a curtain. At the front end is her chemist where she sells an array of over-the counter-medicines (she's a trained nurse). At the back end of the room lies a narrow bed where Christy delivers women of their babies. The fact that her mini labour room is sometimes lit by a lone candle does not diminish the influx of patients, but Christy tells us the candle factor is always at the back of her mind as an accident waiting to happen.

At the Isalu Maternity Centre (Oyo state), the midwife, Mrs. Titilola, is so excited to receive a solar lamp/phone charger from us. She takes us in to chat with a lady who had had a baby the night before. Mrs. Titilola repeats a recurring comment we've heard along the way - that poor lighting is not only dangerous to the health (kerosene fumes are linked to chest infections), the eyes (bloodshot eyes), but that it has also become increasignly linked to post-natal depression. The new mother agreed that she would sleep and recover better if she didnt have to potter about in the dark when the candle goes out.

The golden find of the day was the Garri maker in Ogun state, Chief F. A. Saliu. This 72-year old man is the Baale (chief) of Araromi (Oloke LGA, Ogun state), yet he still actively works at making garri out of cassava.

Chief Saliu regrets that his eyes have gone bad from years of straining over pans of garri and using a small bush lantern as a light source. He showed us 4 different frying points for processing garri(it is fried in a deep oval pan over firewood), and said the one solar lamp he had just received from us would really light up the processing area for quicker and better output of garri. It would also help in protecting the vision of his younger co-workers.

At the end of our visit, Chief presented us with an ample bag of garri.