One step closer

This spring break has been great for getting stuff together for Tanzania. Yesterday I sent off the paperwork for my passport. Obviously very important. Also, there has been a guy in Tanzania collecting site details for the designs. It has been a challenge to design systems for locations so remote. His information is going to be a huge resource in engineering the systems.

There is a few fund-raising events coming up. On 3/24/11, a concert is being held and the profit is going towards the trip. Also, on April on 4/14 a dinner is being held to gain recognition and funds. The event, "A night in Africa," is going to be a dinner event with local large businesses, like Nike and Intel, OIT students, and the ambassador of Tanzania.

Here is some details about the event:

Solar Hope in partnership with Oregon Institute of Technology present
A Night in Africa

Sponsored by GLUMAC
Engineers for a Sustainable Future

An evening of African food, music, images and stories from Solar Hope’s projects in Tanzania.

Featuring special guest Her Excellency Ambassador Maajar of Tanzania.

Thursday, Apr 14, 2011, 6:00pm
Ecotrust Natural Capital Center
721 NW 9th Ave, Portland, OR 97209

Join Oregon Institute of Technology students to celebrate the people of Africa, discuss renewable energy and to support the Solar HOPE project in Tanzania that will bring lights to schools and hospitals; and dramatically impact education and health care for thousands of children across the country.

A select number of individual tickets are available for $25 per person.

Sponsorship of solar installation for a school or clinic is encouraged, and includes a reserved table and seating with the ambassador at the event: $2500-$3500.

For tickets and more information visit www.solar-hope.org or email us at info@solar-hope.org. Together, we can bring the gift of light, the promise of hope, and the restoration of faith in humanity to people in Africa.

Asante sana,
Solar HOPE

ARTICLE ABOUT SPS IN THIRD WORLD COUNTRIES

I found this article really interesting, It talks specifically about using renewable energy in developing countries.

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/12/25/science/earth/25fossil.html?_r=2&hp

PROJECT PRESENTATION

This morning I presented the project and I got a fantastic response. For class purposes, the project presented had much more involved than what will be actually used. Solar Hope could be posting this specific project on their website here in the near future.

Some other projects that are being considered for installation: an irrigation system for a nonprofit farm providing food for locals, lighting for a school for women in Rwanda, a water purification system for a system installed last year, and multiple cell phone chargers.

It was exciting to hear all the great ideas from other students.

SO, the meeting planned to discuss the financies of the trip was canceled because of "SNOW APOCALYPSE 2011." The half inch of snow was enough to cancel classes. Anyways, the meeting was rescheduled for Thursday.

Paypal set up to simplify contributions

I have been contemplating the best way to approach contributions, and a Paypal account is the solution.   It gives the option for anonymous donations and simplifies accounting.  A Paypal account is required, but free and easy if you don't have one.  You should click the link and make a donation just to see how easy it really is.  

FINANCE MEETING

We are having a meeting on Thursday, February 24 in respects to finances.  Apparently more details about finances have come sooner then expected.   I am not sure if that is good or bad news.  I suspect that it is good news.  I just know that I will be able to determine my involvement possibly sooner than I thought.