Leo Blyth from Lighting Africa visits ARTI-TZ promotions in Bagamoyo District
On May 4th 2011, Leo Blyth and Simon Karunditu from the World Bank and Jones Olotu and Julian Kiiza from Rural Energy Agency (REA) visited ARTI-TZ offices in Mbezi beach with the purpose of checking on the progress of the Lighting Rural Tanzania Project and to offer project support. The World Bank/REA team visited the solar repair center, solar demonstration area and had an opportunity to see the various promotional materials used by ARTI-TZ to promote solar lights through LRTC.
ARTI-TZ staff demonstrate solar lights to Simon Karunditu of the World Bank
Later on the same day, the team was accompanied by Nachiket Potnis, Executive Director of ARTI TZ, to meet Jacqueline Michael (LRTC Project Officer) and Abdalla Seushi (LRTC Field Officer) in Kiromo Village, Bagamoyo District where solar promotions for the lighting Rural Tanzania Project were taking place. The visitors watched Jacqueline, Abdalla and Potnis conducting the solar promotions with the assistance of Abel shop technicians, one of ARTI-TZs partner dealers under LRTC.
Abdalla Seushi, LRTC Field Officer, promotes lights from a mobile promotional vehicle in Bagamoyo District
The World Bank/REA team were impressed with the way the promotions were conducted, combining demonstrations of Barefoot Power 5W powapack and Firefly 12 mobile, with music and dancing from B town Entertainment Group. The music and dancing spiced up the promotions and attracted large numbers of people.
Jacqueline and Abdalla also put up posters on shop walls and installing solar lights in shops and houses of kiromo households who had bought solar lights on spot.
Nachiket Potnis, ARTI-TZ Executive Director, poses with a customer who just bought a 5w solar system
The World Bank and REA team also visited Abel shop which is located in Bagamoyo Town and is also a partner dealer under LRTC. Mr Abel, the shop owner, was interviewed on the progress of the solar project and the response of his customers towards the solar lights. Mr. Abel spoke on how working ARTI-TZ under the LRTC project has allowed him to extend credit to school teachers and to households in Bagamoyo through the Local Government Authorities.
ARTI-TZ staff and Abel Shop technicians pose with the dancers from B-Town Entertainers during the solar promotions