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.

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

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

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

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

Getting WATER from SOLAR ZonLights

The ComAfrique-InteliZon Initiative now shows the Village of Sitanunku how they can have their own self-financed SOLAR Water Pump and Bore Hole.


It all started when Mr Marcel Hendricks took us out to showcase his new ECO Hotel project - On The Gambia River at the famous DOG Island - the village of Sitanunku.  A Village that Mr Demba, a resident and co-ordinator of Marcels plans, says has given The Gambia many administrators and thus is a Village quite capable of understanding a developmental effort and sustaining it.


However, when we explained t them that our Initiative was for basic lighting, they requested that the Sponsor kindly address their more urgent needs - WATER.  The Villagers suggested that they had to walk miles to get water as they did not have a bore hole.  He suggested that once they had WATER with a SOLAR Pump and Bore Hole, they could address the problem of Light for the 80 odd families of SITANUNKU. They had put us in a dilemma since ZonLights and ZonHomes operate on small panels and Li-ion batteries that are not capable of pumping water!!! 


We then came up with an Ingenious Innovative add on to our INITIATIVE


Under the ComAfrique-InteliZon Initiative, each family would pay ONE Dalasi (0,04$) per day per Light for a Basic Light
However those requesting the Mobile Phone Charging facility of the ZonLight II would have to agree to pay 1.5 Dalasis (0.06$)
And those wanting the Larger ZonHome would have to pay 3 Dalasis ( 0.12 $) 
They readily Agreed as all these amounts were significantly lower than their Candle requirements.


For 80 Lights with 20 Basic ZonLights, 30 ZonLight II and 30 ZonHomes - The Village Light Committee Daily earnings would be 155 Dalasis ( 6.40US$) and thus approx 4,650GMD per Month (180US$) or 2,200US$ per year. A part of this would be spend on Expansion at 10% Lights and Streetlights per year. A Apart would be spend on the Battery replacement every 18-24 months. They would still have a surplus amount in their Fund.


The Solar Pump and Bore Hole was budgeted at 100,000GMD by the Village.(Approx 3,700US$)


Thus if the Village Light Committee wanted, they could use their Village Light Fund to procure their WATER Solution themselves.


Now came in the Role of a partner Bank.
We agreed to rope in a partner bank who would help the Village of Sitanunku bank their ZonLight Fund and provide them with an interest.


One Precondition was that the Bank would - on the basis of a guarantee provided against the Village ZonLight Fund, Provide them with a Loan immediately to acquire their own Bore Hole with SOLAR Pump.


Thus in a very innovative way, They will now have light and their Lights will pay for their WATER too.


To make the Water sustainable, the Village Light Committee will impose a minor levy on the use of the Solar Water Pump and Water Consumption to pay for future expansion and maintenance. 


The VILLAGE ZONLIGHT COMMITTEE Now becomes the VILLAGE WATER & ZONLIGHT COMMITTEE


Banks and Corporates : Please help us take this model forward.


The ComAfrique - InteliZon Initiative TEAM
Innovative - Simple Rural Sustainable Solutions
*at the time of posting this blog, negotiations are underway with several banks to implement the village of Sitanunku. Our next post will be to inform you of the full implementation. Thanks. Ram Mohan

Rural Banking - driven by the ComAfrique-InteliZon Initiative

Our Inititiative got a pleasant boost two weeks ago when I met with Mr Ousman Njie of First International Bank at the Vineyard in The Gambia.  A call a few dys later and he was tthere with Mr Ijoma and Mr. Sawaneeh to discus the Initiative and in what way they could participate.  While FIB have proposed that they would sponsor two villages in the Foni District of The Gambia, they came forward with a unique proposal to assist the villagers in the Foni's bank the Village ZonLight Fund.  With this unique proposal, F I B have opened a gateway for villagers to understanding savings - in addition to managing their own lights.
F I B have proposed to depute their Bank Manager in the Foni's to each of the villages that have a Village ZonLight Fund, provide them with a Safe Box and on a monthly basis bank the amount for them.  Thats NOT all. They will also give the village an inerest on the deposits.
We commend F I B for participating in this Initiative.
Their participation has opened new avenues to the Initiative.
Ram Mohan

The ComAfrique InteliZon Initiative - Sustainability in Lighting Up Rural Villages - Implementation Report

The ComAfrique InteliZon Initiative: ‘Light Up a Village’ with ZonLight

Implementation Report

The Initiative commenced in The Gambia, with ComAfrique offering to sponsor one Village and TATA Africa responding with an offer to sponsor another with ZonLights and ZonHomes. These offers were sent to the Office of the President who responded immediately and very favourably, offered to also sponsor two villages. The Villages named by His Excellency, Sheikh Prof. Alhagi Dr. Yahya A J J Jammeh to be sponsored by ComAfrique and TATA Africa- Safari Motors were respectively

1. Jakoi Gibbirick ( Foni District)

2. Battendeng ( Foni Bintang District)

And those to be sponsored by His Excellency were

1. Bujingha ( Foni Kansala District)

2. Jirramba ( Foni Kansala District)

On 29th December 2009, the ComAfrique team along with Mr Omar Gibba (Dy. Chief of Protocol, Office of the President, made an initial survey of the 4 villages.

On the 4th of January, 2010, ComAfrique Limited invited representatives of the 4 villages to explain the implementation procedure. In consultation with the Dy. Chief of Protocol, dates for the final implementation were fixed.

From January 8th to the 11th, ComAfrique team comprising of Mr Nfamara Dampha, Mr Mustapha Njie, and Mr Ram Mohan driven by Mr Modou Bah with Mr Sheriff Sowe of Safari Motors (TATA Representative) and accompanied by GRTS Reporter Mr Ebrima Jatta and cameraperson Mr Joof undertook the implementation of the first four villages.

The Implementation team decided that it would be ideal to do all villages on one trip, spending one night in each of the villages, thereby giving us an opportunity to experience the effect of the lights in the villages. Our experience has been overwhelming.

ComAfrique Gambia Team with TATA Africa / Safari Motors Team set out to Implement the

ComAfrique Initiative “LIGHT UP A VILLAGE” with ZonLight

4 Villages in the Fonis – January 8th to January 11th, 2010

JAKOI GIBBIRICK( Sponsored by ComAfrique Limited): Jan 8th / 9th:

A Very Warm reception was accorded by the Alkalo’s representative, Mr Backary Jarju. Our First activity was requesting them to set up the Village ZonLight Committee.

VILLAGE STATISTICS (Provided by Village Alkalo and Representatives)
Number of Compounds : 38
Houses : 54
Population
Total : 1010  (Men : 310  Women : 500  Children : 200)

 Average spending per Month on Candles per Family 300 GMD

Jakoi Village ZonLight Committee
Ebou Gibba
Salimina Jarju
Adama Sanneh
Alkalo Representative - Backary Jarju
Alkalo : Seikou Jarju

The Committee agreed that the village would participate in the sustainability programme of 1 Dalasi per day per Light. The full village was asked to gather in front of the Alkalis compound at sunset. We set up a demonstration Street Light and a work table around which the ZonLights and ZonHomes for distribution were arranged. A list was drawn up with village compound representatives’ names and the number of lights to be given to each compound. This was worked out on the basis of the number of individuals living in each compound.

The ceremony began with prayers followed by a demonstration of the operation and durability of the lights. Thereafter the Initiatives Sustainability Program was explained – especially how important the 1 Dalasi payment was. Villagers were allowed to ask questions and clear doubts. Then the actual presentation began. Each Compound leader was called out by name. On being given the designated number of lights, they were publicly asked if they accepted to pay the Village ZonLight Committee a sum of ONE Dalasi per Light per Day. They were also told that in case of default they would accept that the Committee was empowered to take back a light and re-issue the light to any other. Amidst a lot of cheering, each compound head came forward, took the lights, signed receipt and adherence to pay the 1 Dalasi per Light per Day. Great excitement followed as each compound member then lit up their lights. The GRTS Camera crew too were amazed that the ZonLights were used for their filming as well. The entire evening was only powered by solar ZonLights. No big expenses were made for the ceremony and a cost effective program was initiated with a bright yet cost effective spirit. 71 Lights were distributed in Jakoi as detailed below

JAKOI GIBBIRICK Number Value (GMD)

TOTAL LIGHTS GIVEN 71 (worth 77,000 GMD)
ZonLight Basic 57 (57,000 )
ZonLight II 10 (12,000 )
ZonHome 4 (8,000 )

JAKOI Villagers Gather around a Demo Zon Streetlight for the Handing over Ceremony of ZonLights & ZonHomes

Mr Nfamara Dampha demonstrates ZonLight to the Jakoi ZonLight Committee and to the Villagers while Mustafa Njie looks on

Village recipient of ZonLights Signs acceptance to pay Village ZONLIGHT Committee Sustainability fee of 1 Dalasi per Light per Day

This included ZonHomes for the Alkalo residence as well as for the Mosque, School Head and the Medical Centre.

The presentation ended with prayers to the Almighty and with thanks being showered on His Excellency, President Jammeh for encouraging the initiative from ComAfrique and to ComAfrique for their Light up a Village with ZonLight Initiative.

A Certificate of Implementation of the Initiative was signed by the ComAfrique Team as well as by the Village ZonLight Committee and witnessed by the Alkalo. A copy of this certificate is attached.

The entire ComAfrique team and the GRTS crew slept late that night while Jakoi Gibbirick cheered the entry of simple lights into their lives. The hospitality in Villages that we have seen has been in true reciprocity to the nature of the event. Each member of the team was housed with one of the families.

The ComAfrique and GRTS team then left the following morning to Battendeng.

BATTENDENG VILLAGE (Foni Bintang District) Sponsored by TATA Africa-Safari Motors) – 9th /10th January, 2010

VILLAGE STATISTICS (Provided by Alkalo and Representative)

Number of Compounds : 8

Houses : 41

Population   

Total : 134 (Men-55 Women-39 Children-40)

Average spending per Month on Candles per Home 300 GMD

Battendeng Village ZonLight Committee

Jainaba Jammeh

Sajo Jarju

Seaka Badjie

Alkalo : Borry Jammeh

ComAfriques Modou Bah, Mustafa Njie, Nfamara Damfa & Sheriff Sowe prepare ZonLights at Battendeng

Battendeng Village Housewife Cleaning Rice under ZonLight

A much smaller village than Jakoi, but with the same big enthusiasm. This village designated by His Excellency, President Jammeh, was sponsored by TATA Africa-Safari Motors. With 8 Compounds, 59 Lights were distributed to a very excited village. The Alkalo and villages sang songs in praise His Excellency, President Jammeh. They sang for TATA Africa – Safari Motors and thanked ComAfrique for the initiative.

The Alkalos residence, The Village Mosque as well as the night Koranic school benefited with having ZonHomes allocated.

The lights provided was as follows

BATTENDENG VILLAGE Number & Value (GMD)

TOTAL LIGHTS GIVEN : 59 (64,000GMD)

ZonLight Basic : 46 (46,000)

ZonLight II :  10 (12,000)

ZonHome 3 (6,000)

Villagers Celebrate under ZonLight - The Arrival of Sustainable Light in Battendeng

Sheriff Sowe of Safari Motors - Representing TATA Africa - Hands over ZonLights to a Battendeng Village member

 Alkalo of Battendeng, Mr Borry Jammeh sings a Song thanking President Jammeh

A Certificate of Implementation of the Initiative was signed by the ComAfrique Team as well as by the Village ZonLight Committee and witnessed by the Alkalo. A copy of this certificate is attached.

Alkalo Borry Jammeh Handing the Certification of Implementation to Ram Mohan

We trust that he will not have any further use for that Torch :-)

The following morning the team thanked the hosts for their hospitality and left for the village of Bujingha in Foni Kansala District.

BUJINGHA VILLAGE (Foni Kansala District) (Sponsored by His Excellency, President Jammeh) - 10th / 11th January, 2010

A right turn before the Bwiam Hospital, and a few kilometres drive brings you to the village of Bujingha. A very well organised representative of the Alkalo, Mr. Modou Bojang met the team and immediately set about organising his Village ZonLight Committee.

VILLAGE STATISTICS (Provided by Village Alkalo and Representative)

Number of Compounds 25

Houses 133

Population ( Including Children) 
Total : 317 (Male: 167  Female: 150)

Average spending per Month on Candles per Home 300 GMD

Bujingha Imam leads prayers while Alkalo Representative Modou Bojang, ComAfrique Nfamara Damfa and M Njie with the Village ZonLight Committee pray

Bujingha Village ZonLight Committee
Modou L Bojang - Alkalo Representative

Binta Bojang

Baboucar Jarju

Alkalo : Seikou Bojang

Bujingha Alkalo Mr Seikou Bojang Hands over Certificate of Implementation to Ram Mohan of ComAfrique

Village Children in Bujingha Studying under ZonLights

This village was all the more excited because H E, President Jammeh had personally sponsored as well as selected the village. They understood the seriousness of the sponsorship and this was seen in their attitude – very positive.

The Ceremony began as usual with a prayer of thanks and loud cheering marked every household as their representative received the designated lights. The simplicity of the lights and yet the effect they have were constant reminders of how important light is. The ComAfrique team helped install the ZonHomes in the Alkalos residence as well as the Mosque.

Details of the Lights provided:

BUJINGHA VILLAGE Number & Value (GMD)

TOTAL LIGHTS GIVEN : 71 (78,600 GMD)

ZonLight Basic : 45 (45,000)

ZonLight II : 23 (27,600)

ZonHome : 3 (6,000)

A Certificate of Implementation of the Initiative was signed by the ComAfrique Team as well as by the Village ZonLight Committee and witnessed by the Alkalo. A copy of this certificate is attached.

Hospitality here was at a peak demonstrating the appreciation of the arrival of the Implementation team. The ComAfrique and GRTS team then left for the village of JIRRAMBA.

JIRRAMBA VILLAGE (Foni Kansala District) (Sponsored by His Excellency, President Jammeh) – 11th January, 2010.

VILLAGE STASTICS (Provided by the Alkalo representative)

Number of Compounds : 29

Houses : 236

Population (including children)

Total : 331 (Male :164  Female : 167)

Average spending per Month on Candles per Home 300 GMD

 ComAfrique Dampha, Bah, Njie assisted by the Imam of Jirramba – arrange the ZonLights for Charging before handing over

The Cheer that the ZonLights and the team brought to Jirramba and the other villages was worth much more than anything else

A few Kilometres after Bwiam, a left turn and a couple of kilometres brought us to this fairly large village. Sidi Gibba, the very young son of Alkalo Mr Jerreh Gibba was our point of contact. We wanted to attempt a day time ceremony to enable the GRTS crew to return to Banjul to cover other engagements. However the hospitality and the enthusiasm of the villagers made us stay back and implement this village too in the evening. A Large and diverse Village ZonLight Committee was selected.

Jirramba Village ZonLight Committee

Sidi Gibba

Baboucar Jarju

Fatou Badgie

Njougou Jarju

Alkalo : Jerreh Gibba

 Village elders of Jirramba show their appreciation welcoming Ram Mohan and the team from ComAfrique

Nfamara Dampha listens to a Villager of Jirramba while the Alkalo, Mustafa Njie  and the Village Committee listen.

Eager Jirramba mother signs for her ZonLight agreeing to pay 1 Dalasi to the Village ZonLight Fund assisted by Mustafa Njie

Happy Jirramba Villager with her ZonLights

This village seemed a far more affluent village with several vehicles driving past and all children neatly dressed in school uniforms. Yet the absence of light and the excitement among young and old alike gave one a feeling that this was really important to them. Families that did not have compounds as yet, wanted to sign up and take lights – willing to pay the ONE Dalasi per Light in advance. Reactions have been very energising for all of us. We are determined to take this further. In a very heart warming gesture, the village of Jirramba even wanted to take an additional ZonHome for the neighbouring village Mosque.

Details of ZonLights and ZonHomes provided in Jirramba:

JIRRAMBA Number & Value (GMD)

TOTAL LIGHTS GIVEN : 72 (80,800GMD)

ZonLight Basic : 40 (40,000)

ZonLight II : 29 (34,800)

ZonHome : 3 (6,000)

At the end of the ceremony, the Certificate of Implementation of the Initiative was signed by the ComAfrique Team as well as by the Village ZonLight Committee and witnessed by the Alkalo. A copy of this certificate is attached.

**************

Thus came to the end of a very exhilarating trip and the beginning of a long voyage for ComAfrique, where we will endeavour to attract more sponsors with participation from ComAfrique as well.

ComAfrique have assured each village that they will sponsor ONE Rural Street Light to Each Village being sponsored (at 6,000GMD each). This light can be mounted in a central place in the Village. The Village ZonLight Committee will be responsible to find a manner to make this light sustainable as well. These will be installed as soon as they arrive and the housings are fabricated in The Gambia.

To summarize the efforts of our team, please find below what the first four sponsorships of 4 (Four) Villages have yielded

TOTAL SUMMARY Number & Value in GMD

Total Lights Given : 277 (324,400 GMD)

ZonLight Basic : 188 (188,000)

ZonLight II : 72 (86,400)

ZonHome : 13 (26,000)

Zon StreetLight* : 4 (24,000)

A Break up of Corporate and HE President Jammehs Sponsorships is below

CORPORATE SPONSORSHIP Number & Valuein GMD

Total Lights Given : 132 (153,000 GMD)

ZonLight Basic : 103 (103,000)

ZonLight II 20 (24,000)

ZonHome 7 (14,000)

Zon StreetLight* 2 (12,000)

HE PRESIDENTs SPONSORSHIP Number & Value in GMD

Total Lights Given : 145 (171,400GMD)

ZonLight Basic : 85 (85,000)

ZonLight II : 52 (62,400)

ZonHome : 6 (12,000)

Zon StreetLight* : 2 (12,000)

* The ZonStreet Lights are yet to be assembled and will be put up and sponsored by ComAfrique Gambia Limited

ComAfrique Limited would also like to mention that the ZonHomes are now being assembled in The Gambia.

The ComAfrique Team would like to profusely thank His Excellency, Sheikh Professor Alhaji Dr. Yahya A J J Jammeh for the immense support given in implementing this Initiative. We would like to believe that this is only the beginning and that we will work towards getting more sponsors for ZonLights and ZonHomes in villages to make rural Gambia energy independent and bright. We would like to thank the Office of the President, Secretary General, Government of The Gambia, Mr Omar Gibba (Dy Chief of Protocol) and the Director of GRTS Mr M Sanyang as well as the very enthusiastic and hard working GRTS team of Mr Ebrima Jatta and Mr Joof. Our thanks also go for the encouragement given by the Ministry of Energy, Ministry of Petroleum and PURA for giving us moral support to move ahead. Our profound gratitude goes to Mr Sumeet Tank of TATA Africa and to Mr H R Aswani and Mr. Ram Aswani of Right Choice Supermarket who have also taken the cause in sponsoring villages. And of course we cannot but thank the people of The Gambia without whose support, no sustainable project could ever move ahead.
Ofcourse - Finally we thank our partners and the developers of this wonderful technology, InteliZon and Dr Kushant Uppal for thse wonderful inventions that will transform dark corners of the globe into brightness.
We thank Mr Har Krishnan Nair of Western India Cashew Company who has involved himself with this project in Africa.

Ram Mohan

Managing Director – ComAfrique Limited

On Behalf of the ZonLight Implementation Team of ComAfrique

Mr Nfamara Dampha

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Several ZonLights Fixed on a strip makes a wonderful Flood Light for Rural Meetings