Solar Jooce Hosts 70s Dinner/Dance & Fundraising

Solar Jooce will be hosting a red-carpet fundraising dinner/dance in May 2011, in Central London.

Our target is to raise £10,000 to fund basic solar appliances to be delivered to rural recipients during Phase II of our ‘Solar-for-the-Masses’ road expedition.

One year ago, in May 2010, Solar Jooce took its Solar-for the-Masses campaign to all 36 states of Nigeria, covering a total of 9,309km by road in just 17 days to provide basic solar appliances to primary healthcare centres and micro-businesses that have no electricity (view Gallery: www.solarjooce.com)


Solar Jooce donates solar light/phone charger to farmers at Gudugba, Kwara state

Recipient rural communities for the current batch of solar appliances include Okundi, Nsadop, Kawagom and Kejip (Cross Rivers state); Bayanloco, Ungwa Masar, and Zakwa (Kaduna state); Chugwi and Ballang Kalep (Plateau state); Kaltungo, Okra and Ture (Gombe state); Bama (Borno state); Yola, Mbamba, and Wuro (Adamawa state).

The May 2011 Solar-for-the-Masses event has a formal 70s theme (music and dress code) – a time reminiscent of the steady progress made by developing nations due to the Green Revolution.

The Acting Nigeria High Commissioner to the UK, Ambassador Dozie Nwanna, is our Special Guest of Honour and he will be delivering a speech titled "Solar Lighting for the Transformation of Rural Nigeria".


Sponsors for the event include international designer, NKWO (who will be providing couture items for an auction on the night); private individuals; and Naija DeeJay Femi Ibiwoye who will be playing 70s music, gratis.

Media support is kindly being provided by North-South magazine, African Prospects magazine, and unique lifestyle magazine, SideView which will cover red carpet photos and interviews.



Enquiries: communities@solarjooce.com
Ticket Info/Picture Gallery: www.solarjooce.com

Solar Jooce Partners with Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG)

The Redeeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) - Abundant Grace Parish, Portharcourt - has signed on to sponsor a total of 180 solar hanging lights/phone chargers across communities in Rivers state. Over a period of 6 months or less, the Abundant Grace Parish, led by Engr. Nosyke Okoye, will identify rural healthcare centres and other recipients to whom even the most basic lighting is crucial.

Nosyke says: "It is good to note that Solar Jooce & RCCG seem to share the same passion for doing something for the “unserved and underserved” in our nation. It is also noteworthy to mention that there is a greater emphasis in the RCCG to pursue and fulfil corporate social responsibility, by giving back and impacting on the society in more than spiritual ways".

We flagged off the Solar Jooce-Redeemed partnership by setting up a solar appliance at the Wakama-Ama Community Health Centre (Ogubolo Local Government Area), about 1 hour's drive away from Port Harcourt.


Engr. Nosyke Okoye (Parish Pastor, RCCG, Abundant Grace Parish)


Wakama Community Health Centre




L-R: P. J. Wakama (Community Chairman); Kolawole Ajao (Area Pastor, Anointed Parish, RCCG); Anne Agbakoba (Solar Jooce); Nosyke Okoye; Mary Odumeru (Community Health Worker); Nedde Tamuno (NGO - Youth & the mentally challenged); Samuel Egbunu (Pastor, RCCG, Wakama Parish)

Community members watch solar light illumination

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