Heading back to Mnang'ole, Tanzania to bring 'LIGHT' to the Village!

Wow!  Where did a year go?  Like a worker bee, I am preparing to leave in 11 days to begin AEP's first 'Project Trip'.  March 17 I leave JFK for Mnang'ole, Tanzania to complete the projects we have been preparing for the past several months.  

I have 3 Tanzanian Volunteers and 2 American Volunteers joining me this time around.
Here's what we will accomplish:


a. Water sanitation (boiling) education.. to prevent
  outbreaks of cholera until we can drill a well
  (projected date of drilling is September 2012)


b. Kerosene vs. Solar energy education 


c. Distributing one solar lantern to each of the
  200 homes in the village.
   http://www.dlightdesign.com/home_global.php 


   ***See Light for Life below, to hear how 
   the distribution of a single lantern to each home
   will make amazing changes for Mnang'ole!


d. Teaching English in the Primary school using music 


e. Teeth hygiene education and distribution of 
  toothbrushes to every person in the village


e. Worm farm/composting pilot program with 10 families


f.  Photo Documentation in preparation for a sponsorship
  campaign for the well, when I return to VT in June


g. Computer training in Lindi with a few teenagers, 
  a 45 minute drive from Mnang’ole to improve
  AEP/Mnang’ole communication, and to prepare for a
  'pen pal' program with a local VT school classroom


h. Working with the newly developed 
  Community Based Organization in Mnang'ole
  on organizational development to make a more
  affective organization for change

Light for Life

This project will bring one solar lantern to each home in Mnang’ole


The Situation:

* Mnang’ole has no source of electricity and a lack of
   affordable, and environmentally friendly lighting sources.

The Problem:

* The sun goes down around 6 pm every night, all year round
   in Mnang’ole.

* For those who can afford kerosene, families use kerosene
   lanterns for a light source.

* Many of the people of Mnang’ole cannot afford to purchase
   kerosene to use as a light source.

* These families must leave the family farm mid-afternoon
   to return home to prepare dinner and complete household
   chores before 6 PM.

The Consequences:

* The use of kerosene is an extreme health, environmental
  and safety hazard.

* Families who do use kerosene spend nearly half their 
   income to purchase this fuel for lighting alone.

* Productivity on the farms is severely reduced due to
   daylight constraints.

* There is a great loss of valuable productivity time in the
   evenings, particularly for those who cannot afford kerosene.

* Children who are lucky enough to attend school
   are not able to complete homework tasks if they cannot
   afford a light source in the evening.

* Even for those who use kerosene lanterns, the lighting
   is insufficient for most tasks.

The Solution:

* Educate the village about the health, environmental
  hazards and economic hardships caused by kerosene usage
  and the subsequent benefits of solar energy.

* Introduce each family to solar energy usage by providing
   each family with one solar lantern.

The Benefit:

* Provide the people of Mnang’ole with a way to experience
   the health and cost benefits of solar energy first hand.

* For those who previously used kerosene, replacing them with
   solar lanterns will almost double their expendable income.

* Provide families with 4 to 8 hours of evening light for cooking,
   cleaning, and productivity.

* Provide families with more hours of farming productivity.

* Provide children who already attend school, with the ability
   to complete homework tasks.

* This additional money will provide many families with the
   funds to enable them to send their children to school.

I'll be in touch as soon as possible, after I get settled in my second home, Tanzania!