Sunshine Online

Filming with Brave, a set on Flickr. A #WeekWithBraveFirst blog...

Wed, 10 Oct 2012 11:57:00 -0400

A #WeekWithBrave

First blog for a while but I think it’s an exciting one! Next week, we will be releasing three film interviews with SunnyMoney Field Coordinator, Brave Mhonie. Brave is on Twitter so drop him a tweet and ask a question at any time. It’s a great opportunity to engage with someone who has experienced first-hand both the success of solar and the frustration of life without light.

Back in March Brave dropped by the London office to catch up with the team. He’d just returned from New York where he was a judge at the Hult Global Case Challenge finals and was stopping off in the UK for all the usual meetings and catch ups before heading home to Mzuzu. Luckily he agreed to meet Filmmaker Brad Bell and myself for an interview.

We met in Café Candid, a small place only a couple of minutes’ walk from Angel tube in London. We chatted for a while about all things solar but soon got the camera rolling – there was so much to talk about and we only had a couple of hours! What followed was a conversation covering everything from headmasters spending a fortune on kerosene to fuel lanterns that hang from classroom ceilings; to parents lighting branches on fire as torches for the house; and what it’s like to run several hours each week to collect kerosene from the market because walking takes too long.

And who better to tell our solar story? Brave is a fully fledged member of the Malawi team having worked for us since 2008. Going back further though and he was a volunteer; before that a customer! Now, he leads the field team on strategy implementation, directly helping the Malawi staff to sell over 6,000 solar lights this year under incredibly difficult circumstances due to a fuel shortage in the country. The shortage means off-grid families are using less kerosene, but as a result they are buying more candles or simply burning wood in the home for light.

I hope Brave’s passion shines through these films. Rather than make one film we thought with all the material we could make three. So there you go, enjoy your week with Brave.

Ask Brave a question @BraveMhonie
Keep up to date with the conversation #WeekWithBrave

Ralph

Follow me: @ralph_greenland

Plug your mobile phone into the sun If you’ve made it this...

Thu, 16 Aug 2012 11:16:00 -0400

Plug your mobile phone into the sun

If you’ve made it this far then you’ve probably already clicked ‘play’ so you’ll have seen my iphone film demonstrating how on Mafia Island, Tanzania, the sun not only powers solar lights but charges mobile phones too.

The concept of solar phone charging isn’t new. Since I joined SolarAid in 2009 I’ve known about it. But seeing the charge bars animate in the sun and totally off the grid is awe inspiring. It brings the little child out in you (well it did for me at least). It’s brilliant.

Without local power owning a mobile phone in a rural village is a constant exercise in restraint, not to mention prohibitively expensive. Making calls and texting runs down a finite battery resource and losing charge can mean a long walk to a charging station - a trip that could take half a day or more. Plugging directly into the sun, therefore, is a massive time saver - it frees up your day, changes social interaction and saves money.

If you want to learn more about SolarAid and our goal of eradicating kerosene lanterns out of Africa by 2020 then check out our website or watch our movies here.

Thanks for reading.

Ralph (Digital Content Manager)

@ralph_greenland

PS - The Barefoot Powapack, which Farahani is demonstrating is a popular but pricier system, ideal for lighting a classroom.

My name is Athmani... behind the scenes.

Mon, 02 Jul 2012 07:02:00 -0400

We arrived for our first day’s filming on Mafia Island, Tanzania with the SunnyMoney team and lots of solar lights, which I helped unpack off the 12 seater plane.

After a late lunch, Film Maker, Brad Bell, and I dumped our bags and set off with SunnyMoney Project Officer, Irene Chalya. Irene had agreed to translate Swahili for us – she was awesome.

The three of us strolled into the heat, sounds, and smells of Mafia’s town centre. Brad held his camera: I grasped my water bottle.

Arriving at Mafia airport.

After a short time we came across a restaurant and paused for the first of many bottles of coke. While Brad and I stood on weighted feet a little aimlessly, Irene spoke with the manager. Brilliantly, she agreed to show us the sights and make introductions to some of the island’s fishermen. That night I would look out to see their boats glowing by the burn of kerosene lamps.

Irene Chalya translates. to her left, the restaurant manager.

Making our way to the docks I swung my gaze from character to character and from scene to scene, totally immersed by curiosity. There was so much going on and I knew there must be many tales to be told.

It wasn’t long before the sun began plummeting to the edge of the horizon, soon to sink into the Indian Ocean. Irene told me that we would only have 30 minutes left before the light would fade completely and make filming impossible. We walked a little faster. A wonderful sheen glowed upon our perspiring skin.

We soon came across a village populated by children, women and their fisherman husbands. I wanted to know what the community truly felt about solar power, energy costs and kerosene (actually, I wanted to know much more than this – politics, economics, family - life where I had never lived).

Athmani discussing the cost of batteries.

Irene spoke to the children, who got the grown-ups ,whom in turn called for Athmani - a respected man who would be willing to talk with two guys unable to speak his language other than to say ‘Asanti Sanna’. A phrase I spoke as Athmani shook me by the hand.

There were questions to ask, but in my experience a conversation is much better. I wanted to get to know Athmani and I wanted to hear his opinion.

The sun setting over the fishing docks.

I remember the world and all the people in it looking beautiful. The light was reflecting an early sunset from cheeks - even Brad’s forehead! Irene is a great translator and so relaxed. I would ask questions knowing that she would convey my meaning. It made me feel comfortable and an odd situation of translating somehow intuitive. There were times when Brad would ask me something which I would explain to Irene - she would tell Athmani, who would send the answer back in the same manner! Somehow it worked.

Me - sorry but it’s the only image I have of the sunset!!

Before we knew it the interview was over. Later I discovered why that light was so special. I saw the most amazing sun set I’ve ever laid my eyes upon.

Brad and I love this film because it reflects the reality of the circumstance – we think it’s beautiful, authentic and succinct. We’ve chosen the footage that best reflects our experience. Hope you enjoy it - watch My name is Athmani.

@ralph_greenland

The wonder of websites: Meet the new SolarAid

Wed, 13 Jun 2012 12:45:00 -0400

Late last year I sat at a table with colleagues to discuss how we might expand SolarAid’s online presence. At the time we were growing incredibly quickly on Facebook and Twitter, yet the website was feeling dated. It was going to be my job to manage a brand-new, bells and whistles online home! This was a new challenge - I sat myself upon a metaphorical bean bag and donned my ‘very real’ thinking cap. Perching with paper and pen, I began to write…

[My initial sketches for both Home and Join In pages…]

First off, I knew we didn’t want to spend vast amounts of money. Secondly, that we sought to reflect our perception of ‘SolarAid’ to the people and to celebrate our work (and by ‘our work’ I mean yours, mine, Brave’s in Malawi, a solar company’s in London, or perhaps Farahani’s in Tanzania). We wanted a site to inspire and to help us spread the word. For that to happen we would need lots of great content, so that like-minded folks who want to help (you) can… we hope!

So, we would need great stories. But with great content comes… great nothingness if you have no way to communicate it. Therefore, it was imperative that we create a format which would allow us all to share photos, movies, and blogs with friends.

Over the next few months I found myself in an increasingly self-absorbed visual wonderland, attempting to get my head around SolarAid’s online presence; what it was and what it could be. I imagined social media as a river running through space and time, with platforms such as Twitter or Facebook as islands, expanding and contracting to push and release content on to your mobile device, desktop, laptop or tablet. Then I woke up and thought practically. Our website would need to allow content to flow seamlessly through it – to push stories out to our online friends whilst absorbing stories from those who share our interests. That was my starting point. Next was the how.

[My designs looked a little better when using software rather than ‘handware’.]

It was only in the New Year that I was able to really get going. I chatted with friends first, figuring out who knew who, and then who knew what. I found some great contacts and held one or two consultancy sessions. Two guys in particular seemed inspired by the direction we wanted to take the site. So I listened… a lot. I wanted to create a presence that a designer or developer, or social media guru would be excited by. I didn’t want a site that a traditional charity would promote - because we’re not, well, traditional. Find out why here.

[My popplet map. A great tool for brainstorming too.]

So I got busy with my pad and pen again – I drew wireframes… then I threw them away and tried again (I did this a few times). Next, I approached a designer and showed him what I’d created. He consulted. I went back to the drawing board and refined. The drawing board was Photoshop, then finally a lovely programme called Balsamiq. You should try it.

Meanwhile, I was drawing a site-map using Popplet. But without a tablet I found myself saving dodgy jpeg files and printing six-page maps. It was a pain. I tweeted my annoyance, muttered to myself, and carried on.

Eventually, the site was ready for design. We wanted a designer who would fit our ethos and who was inspired by our need to be cutting-edge and future proof. He or she would also need the flair and skill to take things one step further. We found one, and my scrappy designs began to flourish.

[Epic wireframe shot.]

Fast forward several weeks and with the colour scheme more or less finalised, I took the new look home page to the head honchos who gave the go ahead for the site build. There was a leap of faith here. The page looked okay, but it lacked some personality and had limited copy – it was difficult to know what it could be without seeing what I and the designer could in our over-active imaginations. So, thank you Steve and Richard!

The Development team (builders) we found have been absolutely fantastic as well. Better Brief are a small but growing team who were prepared to work with us, always with patience and with a willing ear. They made our designs a reality and what the site is today.

Many sunrises later and our site is online! www.solar-aid.org will keep its ‘beta status’ until all our features are implemented, but in a way the site will be forever beta, since we designed it to be scalable.

So, we provide content – but we need yours too, because having up-to-date news and features are the key to the site’s success and the biggest challenge we face. Well, aside from eradicating kerosene from the entire continent of Africa by 2020. I hope you are able to share the experience with us and help us along too. So go ahead… share!

Follow me: @ralph_greenland

New SolarAid beta website coming very soon! Here’s a sneak...

Tue, 15 May 2012 08:57:06 -0400

New SolarAid beta website coming very soon! Here’s a sneak preview of the homepage.

Filming with Brave, a set on Flickr. I had a fantastic time...

Wed, 09 May 2012 12:07:07 -0400

Filming with Brave, a set on Flickr.

I had a fantastic time filming with @BraveMhonie and Bradbell.tv at Cafe Candid in Angel. Brave lives in Malawi, working as a SunnyMoney Field Coordinator. He spends 80% of his time out of the office; selling solar lights and helping us achieve our BHAG. Here Brave is demonstrating an S1 solar light to the camera.

Brave spoke about the difference solar makes to a family using kerosene. He also spoke about life for people who can’t afford any type of fuel, who, once the sun sinks below the horizon, have to burn grass to see in their own homes.

All in all it felt like a great interview - can’t wait until we have it ready for SunnyMoneyTV.

Ralph

How do you light your home? #kerosene #solar #tanzania

Fri, 13 Apr 2012 13:08:43 -0400

How do you light your home? #kerosene #solar #tanzania

Victor demonstrating how an S1 solar light can double as a hat!...

Wed, 11 Apr 2012 14:14:12 -0400

Victor demonstrating how an S1 solar light can double as a hat! Mafia Island, Tanzania. #sharealight

Hello sunshine!! :) @solaraid

Sat, 24 Mar 2012 09:19:56 -0400

Hello sunshine!! :) @solaraid

Working in the studio on our new film. #sharealight

Sat, 24 Mar 2012 09:16:13 -0400

Working in the studio on our new film. #sharealight

My first voice over. I think this is a great example of how...

Tue, 14 Feb 2012 07:52:00 -0500

My first voice over. I think this is a great example of how stills can create movement. It’s the latest film to illustrate our mission: ‘To banish kerosene lamps from Africa by the end of this decade’.

Made by @BradBelltv

Brainstorming under s1 solar power! UK office.

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 13:29:36 -0500

Brainstorming under s1 solar power! UK office.

Irene and Claire with a customer. Both children and adults...

Mon, 19 Dec 2011 10:47:55 -0500

Irene and Claire with a customer. Both children and adults showed up to find out what all the fuss was about. Others were just enjoying the music pumping from a PA system ran by local teenagers.

Felix demonstrating a d.light microsolar light to onlookers.

Mon, 19 Dec 2011 10:38:51 -0500

Felix demonstrating a d.light microsolar light to onlookers.

The highlight of my time on Mafia Island was the Solar Day....

Mon, 19 Dec 2011 10:34:37 -0500

The highlight of my time on Mafia Island was the Solar Day. SolarAider, Felix, held the mic in the town centre and demonstrated solar products to potential customers. Using the main stage Felix and a local entrepreneur demonstrated the lights and chatted with people. Meanwhile Irene, Victor, and Claire sold systems.

A teacher on Mafia collects his Barefoot Power Powapack and S1...

Sun, 18 Dec 2011 12:42:43 -0500

A teacher on Mafia collects his Barefoot Power Powapack and S1 d.light systems.

Teachers in Mafia collecting their pre-ordered solar lights....

Sat, 17 Dec 2011 07:23:52 -0500

Teachers in Mafia collecting their pre-ordered solar lights. Some were collecting S1s and others the larger Powapack systems.

A group discuss an older solar light model. The man holding the...

Sat, 17 Dec 2011 07:12:17 -0500

A group discuss an older solar light model. The man holding the lamp is asking how the new S1 light improves on the old design.

Victor holding a focus group with teachers and headmasters. Its...

Sat, 03 Dec 2011 14:42:58 -0500

Victor holding a focus group with teachers and headmasters. Its a great opportunity to share information and ideas with people who use SunnyMoney products on a daily basis.

Felix and Irene taking orders for solar lights. Teachers and...

Fri, 02 Dec 2011 06:29:48 -0500

Felix and Irene taking orders for solar lights. Teachers and headmasters were after both the S1 systems and the larger Powapacks. A very busy day!