Back Home and Busy at work

We finally got settled in back home and have adjusted to the jet lag. Carl and I are busy working on some case modifications that will help us support warmer and dustier environments along with bring the long term cost of the security case down substantially. Next week, look for us to announce our new fund raising drive for Karimba school. We are looking to have 1000 people each give $20USD to allow us to return with another system in December. More details to follow, along with easier online donation options!

I have posted several additional pictures on the right side of the blog. Scroll down the page and enjoy the images that Emily, Carl and I took when we were in Kenya. - John

Driving to Leparua School

The terrain to Leparua school is very difficult because if its remote location. It was a good test for us to see how well the power system could handle the rough roads and bouncing around. The concept that we can build a power system and get it delivered and installed in a remote location was what we wanted to experience and it worked great. - John

Carl the Biologist

For the record, there are no Silverback Gorillas in Kenya!!!

Update from Leparua School

I just received an Email from Faith at Lewa Wildlife Conservancy telling us about their progress at Leparua school. Carl and I will be donating additional rechargeable lanterns for the teachers at the school. They can now charge the lanterns during the day and have a light at home each evening. This is the first time power has been available in the area and it will help the school recruit better teachers along with helping the children have access to library lights and computers. It is good to be home. We just arrived last night and are trying to adjust to the time change!- John

This is the Email message from Faith:

Dear John,

I am not sure if you are home or still at the Mara…..

Please find attached photos of the three lanterns in Leparua. They head teacher received them and distributed to three teachers. Harry is planning to do wiring in the library and I am sure he will update you on that.

Alex, the Canadian volunteer promises to go the school in July after the marathon to teach computers and we will organize that. He will probably go in company of another volunteer.

We will keep you informed on the progress and usage of the solar unit.

With many thanks

Faith

Lion Cubs waiting for Mom

Just one last wonderful photo from the Mara. The photos I have been posting have all been taken from my phone except for the sunrise image. Carl and Emily have shot thousands of photos with their Nikon equipment. They have some amazing images. We are planning to do an event in July or August to show everyone the images and talk about the projects we will be working on in Africa. We will let everyone know that date once we get back. Thanks again for all of the support. -John

Sent from John's Wireless BlackBerry

Mara Sunrise

We were out for an early morning game drive in the Mara and I was fortunate enough to take this great photo. You can get a sense of how vast the open plains are and how peaceful it is. I do not think I have experienced a more visually appealing place than this. -John

Sent from John's Wireless BlackBerry

The Mara and Vast Open Space

We had a great glimpse of three Cheetahs this morning. They were very animated and we followed them for a long while. The open space down in the Maasia Mara is hard to explain. The view goes on for miles and it is breathtaking. The opens plains go down through Tanzania and the Serengeti. The animals in this huge reserve have very little fear of humans and allow us to get very close. In Lewa, where the animals are encroached by people and face constant poaching issues from the east and north the animals are much more defensive and you need to keep your distance for your safety. It is very sad to see such a difference...
-John

Sent from John's Wireless BlackBerry

Our Next School Power Project in Kenya

Carl and I met with the staff at Lewa and we have decided on the next school location for power. Karimba is located southwest of Lewa in a remote area where power is desperately needed. Our goal is to be back at Lewa December of this year for the installation. Of anyone feels excited about what we are doing, please feel free to donate online directly from our blog. Any amount is helpful and what we have learned through this blog and website is that many small donations is as powerful as any large one. Thank you for all the support. The emails to us have been amazing.

The photo above is of Karimba school. On the left is the library and on the right is a row of classrooms. As we have learned In Swahili...Asante Sana. - John

Sent from John's Wireless BlackBerry

Runway

We made a quick stop on the way to the Mara to pickup a few people near Lake Naivasha. I thought everyone would appreciate the lack of runway. It required a few people to run up and down it to clear the zebra and antelope before we could land. - John

Sent from John's Wireless BlackBerry

We are off to the Mara

We said goodbye to Lewa today and all of our goodfriends. We have two flights on small props to get us to the Maasai Mara for a few days of game drives before we head home.
Sent from John's Wireless BlackBerry

Elephants on the Move

Today was an easier day. Carl and I had several meetings to plan for the next school and to review some design changes. We also did an interview with Lewa for their next magazine issue which will have a story about our project. We also found time for a game drive and had a chance to hang with some elephants. They are such an amazing creature in the wild. Tomorrow we fly to the Maasai Mara for a few days to survey a few schools and also relax. - John
Sent from John's Wireless BlackBerry