Wednesday, December 22, 2010
US Embassy Sponsors ZonLights in Juffereh & Albreda
Under the US Ambassadors Self Help Scheme, the villagers of Juffereh & Albreda will be beneficiaries of the ComAfrique-Intelizon Initiative. The implementation will be undertaken shortly.
Saturday, October 30, 2010
TRUST BANK - ComAfrique Implements BUJHILING VILLAGE
The drums and the dancing did not stop till late at Night at Bujhiling Village in THe Gambia, nominated by President Jammeh after TRUST Bank offered to Sponsor the Village under the ComAfrique-InteliZon Initiative..
The Implementation of the ComAfrique-InteliZon Initiative on the 27th of October with Famara Dampha of ComAfrique and representatives of TRUST Bank being welcomed with fervour at sunset. They now have Light - and thats not all. THey have a FUND that is village owned and village run. 72 Lights were distributed to the thrilled recipients. Each will contribute between 1GMD to 3 GMD per Day for their lights and telephone charging lights. This fund will be used to replace batteries and the lights themself. Sustainability in Development.
Pictures and Comments will be posted soon.
xxx
Ram Mohan
ComAfrique-InteliZon
The Implementation of the ComAfrique-InteliZon Initiative on the 27th of October with Famara Dampha of ComAfrique and representatives of TRUST Bank being welcomed with fervour at sunset. They now have Light - and thats not all. THey have a FUND that is village owned and village run. 72 Lights were distributed to the thrilled recipients. Each will contribute between 1GMD to 3 GMD per Day for their lights and telephone charging lights. This fund will be used to replace batteries and the lights themself. Sustainability in Development.
Pictures and Comments will be posted soon.
xxx
Ram Mohan
ComAfrique-InteliZon
Saturday, October 16, 2010
Lighting Africa Conference SENEGAL October 2010
ComAfrique along with its Senegal partner TATA Africa Senegal - participated in the LIGHTING AFRICA Conference held at the Radisson Blu in Dakar, Senegal on the 6th / 7th of October, 2010.
While the initial reaction to the initiative was lukewarm, especially under that the impression that the ComAfrique Initiative was just giving lights away free, the response from World Bank officials and organizers changed for the better when they understood that we believe that light should be delivered to the nooks and corners of the world - especially in Africa where governments are unable to do so. Thus Initiatives such as ours, which deliver the means to have light, yet insist that the villagers pay for the light and not the instruments, takes sustainability to a new meaning.
We continue to believe that while Off Grid Simple Solar Instruments of Light, should be made accessible to all corners of Africa, in a commercial manner, when it comes to providing basic light for rural Africa, the governments and development agencies have a role to play. and if this role is shared by the corporate and private sector, it should be welcomed.
ComAfrique, along with InteliZon are getting their already successful ZonLights and ZonHomes tested by Lighting Africa, and will look forward to a beneficial partnership, where we can add value to Lighting Africa s program.
Banjul, 16th October, 2010
While the initial reaction to the initiative was lukewarm, especially under that the impression that the ComAfrique Initiative was just giving lights away free, the response from World Bank officials and organizers changed for the better when they understood that we believe that light should be delivered to the nooks and corners of the world - especially in Africa where governments are unable to do so. Thus Initiatives such as ours, which deliver the means to have light, yet insist that the villagers pay for the light and not the instruments, takes sustainability to a new meaning.
We continue to believe that while Off Grid Simple Solar Instruments of Light, should be made accessible to all corners of Africa, in a commercial manner, when it comes to providing basic light for rural Africa, the governments and development agencies have a role to play. and if this role is shared by the corporate and private sector, it should be welcomed.
ComAfrique, along with InteliZon are getting their already successful ZonLights and ZonHomes tested by Lighting Africa, and will look forward to a beneficial partnership, where we can add value to Lighting Africa s program.
Banjul, 16th October, 2010
Monday, October 11, 2010
Trust Bank Sponsors a Village
In response to ComAfriques request, Trust Bank Managing Director, Mr Pa Njie along with his team have graciously offered to sponsor a village under the ComAfrique Initiative. The Office of the President have nominated the village of Bujhilling in the Foni District of The Gambia.
Watch this space as ComAfrique implement the Initiative in Bujhilling.
This is Village Number 10 -
10th October, 2010
Watch this space as ComAfrique implement the Initiative in Bujhilling.
This is Village Number 10 -
10th October, 2010
Cashew Business provides another Sponsor
Cashews and Sustainable Light
In a move towards farmers gaining access to sustainable lighting, ComAfrique have come up with yet another sponsor - a benevolent one who choses to remain known as an associate of ComAfrique.
ComAfrique have suggested that the President nominate a village in The Gambia and are thus waiting for this nomination.
In a move towards farmers gaining access to sustainable lighting, ComAfrique have come up with yet another sponsor - a benevolent one who choses to remain known as an associate of ComAfrique.
ComAfrique have suggested that the President nominate a village in The Gambia and are thus waiting for this nomination.
Monday, July 19, 2010
Mr Hari Krishnan Nair - CEO Western India Cashew - Visits Taibathu
An email from Mr HariKrishnan Nair, CEO of Western India Cashew Company - a partner and Sponsor of the ComAfrique-InteliZon Initiative visited Taibathu Village. His visit coincided with the onset of the Monsoons - a very good sign as suggested by the Alkalo of Taibathu. Read his account in his own words - in an emaoil sent to us :-...
Hi Ram,
Thank you for the chance..
Regards,
Hari
From: Hari Krishnan Nair [mailto:hari@wenders.com]
Sent: 19 July 2010 18:47
Subject: Waca Waca Africa
I've just got back from a hectic trip to West Africa - Guinea Bissau and the Gambia. A major highlight was a visit to Taibatou Village in the Western South Bank of the Gambia.
The Gambia is an English speaking enclave on both banks of the Gambia river opening out to the Atlantic Ocean, surrounded by French-speaking Senegal on 3 sides. Taibatou is a dirt-road ride off the main road from Banjul to Sanyang. The village has 80 houses, tin-roofed and plastered-mud walled, in 26 compounds. The people are all farmers, growing cashews also, among other crops - maize, cassava, etc. The children do go to school; there is an Elementary School, and the chieftain spoke surprisingly good English in a
very soft voice. Many of the others also spoke Arabic.
My company had sponsored Solar lighting for the village and I wanted to actually visit them and see the Project. The sponsored lights belong to the Village Committee and are given out to families on a contributory basis - the house-holds each pay 1-3 Dalasis (4-12 USC) per day to the Committee, which becomes a fund to replace the batteries in 2 years and augment the lights, so that it is sustainable. This expenditure is less than half the cost of candles - 5 Dalasis per room per night. Two or three lights are common property and light up the street in front of the Chief's house where the villagers have their meetings.
This project is implemented by ComAfrique Ltd., owned by Mr. Ram Mohan, the Hon. Counsel of India in the Gambia, who had started off in business more than a decade ago, supplying cashews to us.
The rugged solar lights "Zonlight" are made in India, and use the newest technologies: LED lights, Lithium cells and compact solar panels to provide 9-12 hours of light with 3-4 hours of charging. ComAfrique uses local people to scout the villages and implement the projects, keeping costs much lower than when done by
ex-pats. The cost of sponsoring lights for a village is $2,500 to $4,000, depending on the size of the village. If any of you is interested, please visit http://comafrique-intelizon.blogspot.com/, or let me know. I'll also be putting up some photos on Face-book over the next two days.
It was raining when we landed up at the village at about 11 am. The Village committee was waiting for us and we spent some time in the chief's house. He told me about the difference it had made to them - they can go out in the dark if there is any threat; the children can study longer at night without hurting their eyes; the families can cook and do other chores; no threat of fires from candles... it's been one month and their lives have changed. More people kept coming as the rain abated, and they wanted to shake my hand. The
two teens (boy and girl) who maintain the collection accounts brought out their register and proudly showed me their collection - no delinquencies.
The chieftain made a small speech of thanks with tears in his and everybody else's eyes. It's a special feeling.
Cheers!
Hari
Hi Ram,
Thank you for the chance..
Regards,
Hari
From: Hari Krishnan Nair [mailto:hari@wenders.com]
Sent: 19 July 2010 18:47
Subject: Waca Waca Africa
I've just got back from a hectic trip to West Africa - Guinea Bissau and the Gambia. A major highlight was a visit to Taibatou Village in the Western South Bank of the Gambia.
The Gambia is an English speaking enclave on both banks of the Gambia river opening out to the Atlantic Ocean, surrounded by French-speaking Senegal on 3 sides. Taibatou is a dirt-road ride off the main road from Banjul to Sanyang. The village has 80 houses, tin-roofed and plastered-mud walled, in 26 compounds. The people are all farmers, growing cashews also, among other crops - maize, cassava, etc. The children do go to school; there is an Elementary School, and the chieftain spoke surprisingly good English in a
very soft voice. Many of the others also spoke Arabic.
My company had sponsored Solar lighting for the village and I wanted to actually visit them and see the Project. The sponsored lights belong to the Village Committee and are given out to families on a contributory basis - the house-holds each pay 1-3 Dalasis (4-12 USC) per day to the Committee, which becomes a fund to replace the batteries in 2 years and augment the lights, so that it is sustainable. This expenditure is less than half the cost of candles - 5 Dalasis per room per night. Two or three lights are common property and light up the street in front of the Chief's house where the villagers have their meetings.
This project is implemented by ComAfrique Ltd., owned by Mr. Ram Mohan, the Hon. Counsel of India in the Gambia, who had started off in business more than a decade ago, supplying cashews to us.
The rugged solar lights "Zonlight" are made in India, and use the newest technologies: LED lights, Lithium cells and compact solar panels to provide 9-12 hours of light with 3-4 hours of charging. ComAfrique uses local people to scout the villages and implement the projects, keeping costs much lower than when done by
ex-pats. The cost of sponsoring lights for a village is $2,500 to $4,000, depending on the size of the village. If any of you is interested, please visit http://comafrique-intelizon.blogspot.com/, or let me know. I'll also be putting up some photos on Face-book over the next two days.
It was raining when we landed up at the village at about 11 am. The Village committee was waiting for us and we spent some time in the chief's house. He told me about the difference it had made to them - they can go out in the dark if there is any threat; the children can study longer at night without hurting their eyes; the families can cook and do other chores; no threat of fires from candles... it's been one month and their lives have changed. More people kept coming as the rain abated, and they wanted to shake my hand. The
two teens (boy and girl) who maintain the collection accounts brought out their register and proudly showed me their collection - no delinquencies.
The chieftain made a small speech of thanks with tears in his and everybody else's eyes. It's a special feeling.
Cheers!
Hari
Thursday, July 1, 2010
Sitanunku Back Out - TRUST BANK to SPONSOR ANOTHER VILLAGE
In an unfortunate but understandable set back, the Village of Sitanunku have backed out and have opted for their mentor Mr Marcel Hendricks to directly fund a Solar Water Pump rather than sponsor Lights and work on the Loan based on the ComAfrique ZonLight Initiative. While the majority apparently were united in exhibiting their self sustanability and independence on water and light, a few villagers on the committee commented that since the EcoHotel project of Mr Marcel Hendricks would anyway be responsible for providing Light and water to the region, they opted out and preffered to take cash from him rather than implement their own water and light with the ComAfrique Initiative.
However, Trust Bank that had so magnanimously agreed to give the villagers a loan for their Solar Water Project bsed on our Initiative, they have since suggested that they would like to sponsor a village with ZonLights and we await further communication with them.
However, Trust Bank that had so magnanimously agreed to give the villagers a loan for their Solar Water Project bsed on our Initiative, they have since suggested that they would like to sponsor a village with ZonLights and we await further communication with them.
First International Bank ( F I B ) - Two MORE Villages & RURAL Banking Implemented
THE FIRST INTERNATIONAL BANK (FIB) Have joined the efforts of the ComAfrique-InteliZon Initiative by sponsoring two villages - nominated by His Excellency, President Jammeh. The Villages of Bunuborr and Santaba in the Foni Districts have now been implemented as well.
A total of 101 Lights were given to the Villages at independnt ceremonies by representatives of F I B Bank.
Mr Cyril, Ms Veronica and Mr Abduali of FIB accompanied the Implementation team. A big thanks from ComAfrique-InteliZon to Mr Pa-Ousman Njie and the rest ot the FIB team.
RURAL BANKING services were also intiated with the Kanilai Branch manager of FI B bankvisiting all the other villages in the FONIs where the ZonLight Commitees have already been established.
Thus this Initiative has now introduced Rural banking as well. The Manager of FIB bank will make monthly visits to each of the villages in the Fonis. Jakoi Gibbirick, Battendeng, Bujhinga, Jirramba, Kallang and now Bunnuborr and Santaba will all be able to bank their ZonLight Funds with FIB at their doorstep.
This current implementation created the following committees :
BONUBORR VILLAAGE- ZON LIGHT COMMITTEE.
1. Abdoulai jarju- 7297054.
2. bubacarr jarju- 6362639
3. Fanta Gibba- 7579092
4. Yafai colley- 7222315
5. Alkali Kitim jarju- 7511013
Number of Lights given- 55 lights
Basic ZonLights- 43, ZonII- 9 and Zonhome- 3
SANTANBA VILLAGE- ZONLIGHT COMMITTEE
1. Ansumana Bonjang- 7352933
2. Seaka Bonjang-
3. Fatou Jarji- 6336581
4. Omie Jarji
5. Alkali Famara bojang- 6235759.
Number of light given: 46
Basic ZonLights- 34, ZonLIght II - 9 and Zonhome- 3
The Implementation Team comprised of the following persons :
ComAfrique- Famara Dampha, Buba Jarju, Buba Driver
FIB: Mr. Cycril, Ms. Veronica, Mr. Abdulai.
The Following press persons accompanied the team for the Implementation
Daily Observor- Mr Sheriff Barry
GRTS- Mr. Lamin Saho, Mr. Buba Darboe.
A total of 101 Lights were given to the Villages at independnt ceremonies by representatives of F I B Bank.
Mr Cyril, Ms Veronica and Mr Abduali of FIB accompanied the Implementation team. A big thanks from ComAfrique-InteliZon to Mr Pa-Ousman Njie and the rest ot the FIB team.
RURAL BANKING services were also intiated with the Kanilai Branch manager of FI B bankvisiting all the other villages in the FONIs where the ZonLight Commitees have already been established.
Thus this Initiative has now introduced Rural banking as well. The Manager of FIB bank will make monthly visits to each of the villages in the Fonis. Jakoi Gibbirick, Battendeng, Bujhinga, Jirramba, Kallang and now Bunnuborr and Santaba will all be able to bank their ZonLight Funds with FIB at their doorstep.
This current implementation created the following committees :
BONUBORR VILLAAGE- ZON LIGHT COMMITTEE.
1. Abdoulai jarju- 7297054.
2. bubacarr jarju- 6362639
3. Fanta Gibba- 7579092
4. Yafai colley- 7222315
5. Alkali Kitim jarju- 7511013
Number of Lights given- 55 lights
Basic ZonLights- 43, ZonII- 9 and Zonhome- 3
SANTANBA VILLAGE- ZONLIGHT COMMITTEE
1. Ansumana Bonjang- 7352933
2. Seaka Bonjang-
3. Fatou Jarji- 6336581
4. Omie Jarji
5. Alkali Famara bojang- 6235759.
Number of light given: 46
Basic ZonLights- 34, ZonLIght II - 9 and Zonhome- 3
The Implementation Team comprised of the following persons :
ComAfrique- Famara Dampha, Buba Jarju, Buba Driver
FIB: Mr. Cycril, Ms. Veronica, Mr. Abdulai.
The Following press persons accompanied the team for the Implementation
Daily Observor- Mr Sheriff Barry
GRTS- Mr. Lamin Saho, Mr. Buba Darboe.
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
WESTERN INDIA CASHEW COMPANY - Sponsors TAIBATU Village in The Gambia
Western India Cashew Company, Kollam, India - a supporter & partner of the ComAfrique Initiative - have just sponsored the Village of Taibatu in the Western Region of The Gambia. This Cashew growing Village is extatic and jubiliant. They have been singing endless praises of Western India Cashew and ComAfrique Limited - for this Social Initiative and thanking President Jammeh for supporting and encouraging such initiatives. We will soon post pictures of the Implementation Ceremony
Water for Sitanunku Becoming a Reality - Thanks to Marcel Hendricks and Trust Bank
Latest Developments are that the Trust Bank board have approved a Loan to the Village Light Committee of Sitanunku for 100,000GMD to enable them to purchase a Solar Water Pump. This Loan reimbursable in Three years with a minimal interest will be given on the basis of a guarantee provided by the Villagers by PLEDGING their ZonLights as Collateral to the Bank as well as undertaking to BANK their Village Light Fund with Trust Bank at their Barra Branch. Letters of Comfort are being provided by Mr Marcel Hendricks, the benevolent sponsor of the ZonLights as well as by ComAfrique Limited. The Implementation of the Lights will be done next Week.
Follow this Blog to see how you can Sponsor a Village too.
Follow this Blog to see how you can Sponsor a Village too.
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