ARTI-TZ joined the Rural Energy Agency (REA) the week of June 16th to 23rd, to demonstrate and promote their work as part of Public Service week. The main event took place in the Mnazi Mmoja grounds, a busy area in the heart of downtown of Dar es Salaam. The event is organized every year by the Ministry of Public Services, where all the Ministries and their various divisions display to the public their activities.
Abdalla Seushi, ARTI-TZ Project Officer, explains renewable energy technologies to the public
During the week long exhibition, the Ministry of Public Services select an unanimous group to visit all the booths and select the best one according to the best overall display and explanation for their products. This year the Rural Energy Agency (REA) selected ARTI-TZ, ORYX Gas, African Women in Mining Network Tanzania, ENVOTEC, Power Electronics and Controls LTD, and ENSOL (T) Limited to participate for this event because they share REAs mission is to help bring energy into rural areas of Tanzania.
Neema Lema explaining how the compact biogas system works
ARTI Team members, included Neema Lema , Abdalah M. Seushi, Carla Acosta and Godson Mghamba were constantly busy talking to visitors that were intrigued by ARTI-TZ products. According to Neema Lema, one of ARTI’s newest team members, people were mostly curious about the biogas, commenting “most people know about biogas systems that use cow dung and are very surprised and intrigued to see the Compact Biogas Systems that uses food waste.” The charcoal briquettes made from dry biomass were also of big interest to many visitors according to Neema Lema. Neema says, “so many people think that the charcoal is like a miracle because they thought charcoal could only come from trees”. While ARTI demonstrated solar, charcoal briquettes and biogas, other organizations demonstrated small electric wind turbines, commercial and domestic stoves, a micro-hydro power plants, and technology that stored energy.
ARTI's Godson Mghamba holds the Public Service Week trophy high after winning best pavilion 2011
The biggest reward of Public Service Week came on the last day of the exhibition REA was announced the winner for the 2011 Public Service Week. REA received a trophy and at the same time ARTI-TZ received special recognition.
Story by: Carla Acosta, York University (Toronto, Canada) Intern working with ARTI-Africa