Days End

Today ended well. We got the system loaded on a truck and we leave tomorrow morning for the school. It turns out that tomorrow is a national holiday in Kenya so everyone here thought it would be the perfect day to start the installation. We were going through our checklist at the end of the day and we asked who would be at the school to unlock everything and no one know for sure if we will be able to get in. Since there is no cell reception in the area, we has to send word by foot. We are hopeful that it works. I guess we will know when we get there!
-John

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Unpacking the system

We unpacked the system today and went through everything that was shipped. All arrived safe and in working order. We will be loading up all the equipment this afternoon and taking the long 4x4 trek to the school location in the morning.

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View from my room at LEWA

Amazing. My room is on the edge of the swap where all the lions live. I have to keep my door locked! This is so cool!
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Our prop plane to LEWA

We are loading up to fly to LEWA. As usual Carl had too many bags and weight! Emily and I were fine but Carl brought extra cameras and hats. We had to pay for an extra seat. I argued that I should get a discount because of how small I am compared to Carl but it did not translate well.

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Feeding time at the Elephant Orphanage

Jambo! This morning the Equals3 troop took a trip to the David Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage to see the baby elephants at feeding time. It was an awesome sight to see the calves playing in the mud, drinking out of massive baby bottles, and interacting with each other. Due to extreme poaching all across the country, these orphans were rescued by the foundation and raised with the intent of releasing them back into the wild when reaching maturation. For more information about the program, visit: http://www.sheldrickwildlifetrust.org/
-Emily Thelander

We just arrived

We just cleared customs and are on our way to a local Nairobi hotel. We are meeting a few people tomorrow to go over some future logistics options. We then fly a prop plans to Lewa to start the power installation! Wish us luck!

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In London and getting ready for Kenya

Last night we had dinner with our good friends from Kenya. Iain and Lou were up visiting their son. Iain's company Tropical-Ice has been really helpful in coordinating our travel plans when we are in Kenya. They have helped us with all kinds of logistics for this project. Iain also heads up a great poverty project in eastern Kenya outside of Tsavo. At some point we will help them with power but they have more basic survival issues to solve at this time. You can check out their website from our links page on www.Equals3.net. The link is called Timboni.
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The adventure begins

We are on our way to London. The British Airways strike has caused some confusion and delays but all looks good now. See you in Kenya!

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Locally built solar panel mount kit being installed

Part of our project goal is to use as much in country services and resources as possible. We contracted with a organiztion to build and install the solar panel mount kit ahead of our arrival. When we arrive on location, we should be able to rapidly install the solar panels which were also purchased within the country to help support the local economy.

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Short Video Clip of our P3 - Tembo

This clip shows our largest power system called Tembo running in our assembly facility. This portable power plant runs our 2000 square foot space without the need for any on-grid power.

This is our first mobile phone post. We can now keep everyone up to date with text (SMS) and pictures (MMS) via our phones in Africa!

We are on our way back to Kenya

It has been a long journey for Carl and I. We are on our way to back to Kenya to install our first portable power system designed to run in a building powering lights, computers, and internet connections in a remote poverty area where power is not available. We should learn a lot about our design once we see how everything survived the shipping and transport. It is hard to believe that less than one year ago we came up with this idea and we are about to install the first system in Africa! I can not wait for year two. Wish us luck. John