Solar Power Progress Report!

Greetings everyone, welcome to the blog once more!

Today we bring news around the Solar power issues at both Pakati schools, first reported by our representative Lorraine Mapuranga after a recent visit to Pakati – find out more here:

https://friendsofpakati.com/2022/06/12/pakati-schools-report-part-1-the-challenges/ & https://friendsofpakati.com/2022/06/19/pakati-schools-report-part-2-overcoming-challenges/

Once again, Friends of Pakati & VaTonatsa Foundation are working together, as our intrepid reporter Lorraine joined with VaTonatsa’s very own Vari Mayez, seen above by the Primary school signboard. They were accompanied by another VaTonatsa staff member, Chido Manhera seen below).

Vari sent me the pictures from the visit, and I will quote from her comments to me & from Lorraine too, to give a flavour of the trip which took place yesterday, Sat 13th August. First, Vari sets the scene:

“Lorraine Mapuranga (FoP), Lainah Chido Manhera (Vatonatsa) and myself Vari Mayez (Vatonatsa) left Harare at 830 and got to the Two Pakati schools around 1030. Both Heads Mr Chifaka and Mr Mahachi were expecting us, so when we got there they were already at Pakati Secondary school Administration waiting for us. We were met by the two Heads in the company of two Gentlemen from Quantum Solartech, Mr Munashe who is a Technician there who gave us the quotation last time, and Mr Evans Musara .We went in to the fenced area that houses the Pakati Secondary school to assess the current solar system.”

Left to right Mr Chifaka; Mr Evans Musara, Mr Munashe, Mr Mahachi, Vari, Chido, Mr Mu – picture by Lorraine

Lorraine’s first impression was quite stark – “So we arrived and the Heads and the team were already there. Sadly the school still looks ghostly in terms of lack of energy.” Which is precisely WHY they we all there – to assess the solar situation in order to restore some power to both Pakati schools. Without that power, they can’t use the computers they do have, and they sit idle for now, gathering dust…

At the Primary school, Lorraine sees the computers needing covers as they are not currently in use

The inspection of the facilities went ahead at both schools, so we can get a realistic quote for both sets of repairs. Friends of Pakati are looking to fund the repairs, and will make suitable arrangements in accordance with local protocols – which we are currently consulting on with help from VaTonatsa.

Below are some of the pictures, first from the Secondary school;

On the way to the Primary…

And then inspecting the Solar set up at the Primary:

There is a budget available, and hopefully we can get it all done within that budget. We should hear from the installers very soon, then the work can begin. I understsand it will not take long to complete the repairs, & we should see the computers back in use very soon – as when we first set them up in 2019:

Assuming all goes well, we intend to celebrate this when I visit Pakati in September. We are currently trying to arrange it, along with a positive meeting to discuss how to improve things for staff & students at both schools. Much more to follow on that soon!

Extra:

Lorraine & Vari also took the opportunity to see what state the booklets we produced for exam classes were in – they were first distributed to the schools in Ward 14 back in Juoy 2020 – good to see they are still in good conditiion to be used as revision material: