This weekend, I will be speaking on a panel at The Chicago Microfinance Conference (CMFC), a collaborative effort among leading graduate business and policy institutions that brings together practitioners, academics and emerging industry leaders to advance the strategic debate of the future of microfinance.
I was originally invited to be a speaker at the conference on the general theme of "Green Microfinance" but as the conference's agenda developed, organizations throughout the world doing similiar work combining renewable energy, the environment and microfinance were brought in to form a panel called "Microfinance Goes Green." I will be joined by 3 others to discuss why renewables and microfinance, and the environment and international development, are inherently linked, and where this momentum will lead the microfinance community in the coming years.
You can learn more about the conference participants and the conference itself here: http://www.chicagomicrofinance.com/speakers.shtml
If you're in Chicago come check it out!
===================================
In other news, after the pilot project, I will be focusing on an application for this grant from the Draper Richards Foundation: http://www.draperrichards.org/process/guidelines.html
This grant, which supports startup non-profit social ventures with funding for 3 years, fits perfectly with SunPower Afrique's mission, current status and future vision. The foundation's homepage states: "By delivering critical support at the start-up phase, Draper Richards Fellowships help outstanding people create wide-spread social change."
A Draper Richards Fellowship, along with the excellent reccomendations on our financial model from Penn State, would allow SunPower Afrique to operate in the black and move beyond the pilot state into our 10-year scaleability plan. Ashoka watch out, I WILL be back...I am a passionate and principled entrepreneur.
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
Sunday, April 25, 2010
Equipment Ordered for June Pilot!
We are doing it...
I am almost afraid to say it out loud, but at the same time I want to shout it from every rooftop! We have raised nearly enough funding to carry out our Pilot Project in June, and are moving forward. We are confident that we can bring in the remaining $5-10K needed in the next few weeks to buy plane tickets and the final odds and ends...or at least to reimburse ourselves for covering it...!
Several blog updates coming soon, with detailed information on our system design, procurement, shipping & importing and next steps. I apologize for neglecting KiraWithoutBorders in recent weeks, the PA solar industry has taken over my life! (which I suppose on one hand is also a good thing...)
But in the interim, please share our excitement in the placement of Purchase Orders! We have ordered:
- 30, 170Watt GE (US-made!) PV modules
- 2, 3kW Outback grid-tied inverters (brand new product!)
- 24 Deka deep-cycle batteries (PA made!)
- All of the neccesary controls, disconnects and accoutrements :)
- 20 x 20 shipping container for the 30-day trek from Newark, DE to Lome, Togo
Racking details, mounting methods, nuts and bolts and round-trip tickets to Lome are next...stay tuned!
It is actually such a relief to know that we will back in Togo soon...
K
I am almost afraid to say it out loud, but at the same time I want to shout it from every rooftop! We have raised nearly enough funding to carry out our Pilot Project in June, and are moving forward. We are confident that we can bring in the remaining $5-10K needed in the next few weeks to buy plane tickets and the final odds and ends...or at least to reimburse ourselves for covering it...!
Several blog updates coming soon, with detailed information on our system design, procurement, shipping & importing and next steps. I apologize for neglecting KiraWithoutBorders in recent weeks, the PA solar industry has taken over my life! (which I suppose on one hand is also a good thing...)
But in the interim, please share our excitement in the placement of Purchase Orders! We have ordered:
- 30, 170Watt GE (US-made!) PV modules
- 2, 3kW Outback grid-tied inverters (brand new product!)
- 24 Deka deep-cycle batteries (PA made!)
- All of the neccesary controls, disconnects and accoutrements :)
- 20 x 20 shipping container for the 30-day trek from Newark, DE to Lome, Togo
Racking details, mounting methods, nuts and bolts and round-trip tickets to Lome are next...stay tuned!
It is actually such a relief to know that we will back in Togo soon...
K
Thursday, April 8, 2010
APPEAL FOR LAPTOP DONATIONS GETS BETTER!
It gets better!
Please contact Kira at kira.costanza@sunpowerafrique.org or 610.489.1105 if you can help!
If you donate a laptop to SunPower Afrique, not only is it still a tax deduction donation, but Collegeville-based MONTCO-IT is offering to replace your laptop for a significantly reduced cost.
Need a new laptop? Donate your used laptop to those in need and get a brand-spankin new one cheap! Win-win :)
Montco-IT: http://www.montcoit.com/
Please contact Kira at kira.costanza@sunpowerafrique.org or 610.489.1105 if you can help!
Akpe ka ka! Merci beaucoup! Thank you very much!
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
APPEAL FOR OLD LAPTOPS!
SunPower Afrique is asking for donations of laptops – used or new – to bring to Togo in June. Equipment donations are also tax deductible!
Here is why:
1. One of SunPower Afrique's goals is to impart to Togolese MFIs and small businesses the importance of reducing energy consumption. To encourage this, we have switched many appliances from AC to DC. The biggest part of this is removing FECECAV's ancient, energy hogging desktops and switching them to laptops.
2. Similiarly, the system size is incredibly dependant on load reduction, and we have determined that the most effective way to reduce their consumption is to switch the majority of FECECAV's desktop computers to laptops.
Therefore, SunPower Afrique is asking for donations of laptops – used or new – to bring to Togo for this purpose. If we can collect 20-25 laptops we will achieve this goal. Equipment donations are also tax deductible.
Here is why:
1. One of SunPower Afrique's goals is to impart to Togolese MFIs and small businesses the importance of reducing energy consumption. To encourage this, we have switched many appliances from AC to DC. The biggest part of this is removing FECECAV's ancient, energy hogging desktops and switching them to laptops.
2. Similiarly, the system size is incredibly dependant on load reduction, and we have determined that the most effective way to reduce their consumption is to switch the majority of FECECAV's desktop computers to laptops.
Therefore, SunPower Afrique is asking for donations of laptops – used or new – to bring to Togo for this purpose. If we can collect 20-25 laptops we will achieve this goal. Equipment donations are also tax deductible.
I am willing to pick them up and they can be in good to fair condition, I can do minimal repair work if necessary.
If you do not have any laptops to contribute, please consider making a donation to SunPower Afrique at http://www.sunpowerafrique.org/!
Thank you very much for your time and consideration to – your support will make a HUGE DIFFERENCE!
Thank you very much for your time and consideration to – your support will make a HUGE DIFFERENCE!
PLEASE CONTACT kira.costanza@sunpowerafrique.org if you have any laptops you can part with, would like to purchase and donate a laptop, or know anyone that might!
Note: We plan to move the desktops to other locations where they can be of use. If certain computers are deemed unuseable or unneccesary, we will safely and responsibly dispose of them - this too will set an example for local communities! (The irresponsible disposal of computer equipment is an increasing problem on the West African coast...and throughout the world...I hope that humanity will soon find a solution, as our current computers are replaced more and more frequently).
Saturday, March 20, 2010
Project Update - 20 March - Presque!
SunPower Afrique's pilot project is now slated for June 2010. In the wake of the global recession, massive budget cuts in every institution, government agency and private sector economy in the world, all non-profits have been hit exceptionally hard. SunPower Afrique's start-up status has made this even more challenging. But we are DOING THIS!
Presently and somewhat miraculously, mostly a result of aggressive and die-hard tenacity, we have raised over $25,000, which covers the training, outreach and all other costs besides the actual equipment - and we have excellent leads with some global solar companies and donors to top-off our budget in time. Our partners in Togo are READY (getting impatient actually!) and the word about SunPower Afrique continues to spread like wildfire in Kpalimé and beyond.
I want to take another opportunity to offer my sincere and indescribeable appreciation to every individual, every family, every business, every partner who has supported SunPower Afrique thus far. We have raised over $25,ooo with an average donation size of $50-100. It is truly amazing.
Jon and our training partner, who will be traveling with us to Togo in June, Ron Celentano, have designed an innovative PV system that reduces FECECAV's load significantly, not only encouraging responsible energy consumption, but also requiring a smaller system that will be grid-tied and use the solar PV as backup. More details about system design are forthcoming, including a full list of components and drawings, so that all of our donors can see exactly how their contributions are being spent. We are also developing the final curriculum for the classroom portion of our training (thank you Ron!) and I am trying to figure out how I will manage to get it all straight and translated into Français before June...
Importantly, a momentous goal has been achieved! After revising and re-revising and re-revising and re-revising (and re-revising and re-revising) SunPower Afrique's business plan, with input from dozens of retired executives, MBA students and others, all with their (always well intentioned!) opinions on how the plan should be written, and in some cases, how the mission of my project should be transformed...I have a real, legitimate, magnificent business plan. I was lucky enough to work with my, now close partner, Ayite Gaba (I wrote a previous blog about this incredible soul earlier in the month - http://kirawithoutborders.blogspot.com/2010/02/introducing-monsieur-ayite-gaba.html).
Ayite and I are now, together, soliciting development agencies and financial institutions with microlending or social investment programs for this improved, long-term and sustainable business model.
Please have a look at the new BPlan which has been uploaded to the homepage of the SunPower Afrique website: http://www.sunpowerafrique.org/PDF/Home/SunPower%20Afrique%20Bplan_FINAL_March2010.pdf
If you know anyone or have any contacts at the types of donors we are currently soliciting, please do not hesitate to send me an email at kira.costanza@sunpowerafrique.org!
In addition, SunPower Afrique has been chosen to participate in a Social Entrepreneurship course at Penn State Great Valley, where grad students will be working with Jon and I to develop effective non-profit marketing strategies and the beginnings of a real SunPower Builders - SunPower Afrique hybrid business model.
Akpe pour la patience de TOUS mes partènaires, a deux côtes de la mer, et akpe ka ka ka ka pour la confiance que vous avez mis sur les époules de SunPower Afrique. We will not let you know. Le projet arrive a trés bientot.
Miadogo looooo!
How's that for Franglewe? :)
Kira Akou Costanza
Directrice Executive
Presently and somewhat miraculously, mostly a result of aggressive and die-hard tenacity, we have raised over $25,000, which covers the training, outreach and all other costs besides the actual equipment - and we have excellent leads with some global solar companies and donors to top-off our budget in time. Our partners in Togo are READY (getting impatient actually!) and the word about SunPower Afrique continues to spread like wildfire in Kpalimé and beyond.
I want to take another opportunity to offer my sincere and indescribeable appreciation to every individual, every family, every business, every partner who has supported SunPower Afrique thus far. We have raised over $25,ooo with an average donation size of $50-100. It is truly amazing.
Jon and our training partner, who will be traveling with us to Togo in June, Ron Celentano, have designed an innovative PV system that reduces FECECAV's load significantly, not only encouraging responsible energy consumption, but also requiring a smaller system that will be grid-tied and use the solar PV as backup. More details about system design are forthcoming, including a full list of components and drawings, so that all of our donors can see exactly how their contributions are being spent. We are also developing the final curriculum for the classroom portion of our training (thank you Ron!) and I am trying to figure out how I will manage to get it all straight and translated into Français before June...
Importantly, a momentous goal has been achieved! After revising and re-revising and re-revising and re-revising (and re-revising and re-revising) SunPower Afrique's business plan, with input from dozens of retired executives, MBA students and others, all with their (always well intentioned!) opinions on how the plan should be written, and in some cases, how the mission of my project should be transformed...I have a real, legitimate, magnificent business plan. I was lucky enough to work with my, now close partner, Ayite Gaba (I wrote a previous blog about this incredible soul earlier in the month - http://kirawithoutborders.blogspot.com/2010/02/introducing-monsieur-ayite-gaba.html).
Ayite and I are now, together, soliciting development agencies and financial institutions with microlending or social investment programs for this improved, long-term and sustainable business model.
Please have a look at the new BPlan which has been uploaded to the homepage of the SunPower Afrique website: http://www.sunpowerafrique.org/PDF/Home/SunPower%20Afrique%20Bplan_FINAL_March2010.pdf
If you know anyone or have any contacts at the types of donors we are currently soliciting, please do not hesitate to send me an email at kira.costanza@sunpowerafrique.org!
In addition, SunPower Afrique has been chosen to participate in a Social Entrepreneurship course at Penn State Great Valley, where grad students will be working with Jon and I to develop effective non-profit marketing strategies and the beginnings of a real SunPower Builders - SunPower Afrique hybrid business model.
Akpe pour la patience de TOUS mes partènaires, a deux côtes de la mer, et akpe ka ka ka ka pour la confiance que vous avez mis sur les époules de SunPower Afrique. We will not let you know. Le projet arrive a trés bientot.
Miadogo looooo!
How's that for Franglewe? :)
Kira Akou Costanza
Directrice Executive
Saturday, March 6, 2010
2010 Togo Election Results Coming In...
The main opposition party in Togo has claimed widespread irregularities in the country's presidential election. However...http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/8553955.stm
Witholding judgement or opinion until final results, which must now be approved by Togo's electoral commission ("independant" for the first time in the country's history), are released, and, more importantly, we see how the opposition reacts. And how organized and mobilize they are on a grassroots level...most people in the capital remain indoors and nervous, but my friends in Kpalime have been surprisingly calm.
Here are some articles on the current situation. More to come.
IN-BRIEF: Vote Counting in Togo:
http://www.irinnews.org/Report.aspx?ReportId=88329
Togo Opposition Claims 'Irregularities" in Poll
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/8548787.stm
Togo Police Use Tear Gas on Opposition Protesters
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/8553114.stm
Disputed Vote Spawns Fears
http://www.irinnews.org/Report.aspx?ReportId=88337
Tip-Toeing Towards Reconciliation (this piece conveys both the shameless optimism I feel about Togolese development, and the confusion and anger I often feel towards stagnation and corruption...)
http://www.irinnews.org/Report.aspx?ReportId=88317
Witholding judgement or opinion until final results, which must now be approved by Togo's electoral commission ("independant" for the first time in the country's history), are released, and, more importantly, we see how the opposition reacts. And how organized and mobilize they are on a grassroots level...most people in the capital remain indoors and nervous, but my friends in Kpalime have been surprisingly calm.
Here are some articles on the current situation. More to come.
IN-BRIEF: Vote Counting in Togo:
http://www.irinnews.org/Report.aspx?ReportId=88329
Togo Opposition Claims 'Irregularities" in Poll
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/8548787.stm
Togo Police Use Tear Gas on Opposition Protesters
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/8553114.stm
Disputed Vote Spawns Fears
http://www.irinnews.org/Report.aspx?ReportId=88337
Tip-Toeing Towards Reconciliation (this piece conveys both the shameless optimism I feel about Togolese development, and the confusion and anger I often feel towards stagnation and corruption...)
http://www.irinnews.org/Report.aspx?ReportId=88317
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Paix Avant Tous
My thoughts will be with Togo and preoccupied for the next 24-48 hours...hoping for peace and nonviolence during Presidential Elections. I hope that as many of the Togolese population are able to vote, in safety, above all.
There appears to be an indescribable group of Togolese youth, mobilized and passionate, ready to contest a fraudulent election...truly ready to "die to extract from the ruling party's hand a victory for the opposition." And "take to the streets to reclaim victory, if the ruling power ever tries to steal this vote." I am simultaneously and uncomfortably proud and terrified. Please keep my friends safe.
Last minute election news:
Incumbent Faces Strong Challenge at Polls
http://allafrica.com/stories/201003031020.html
A Crucial Opportunity for the Country
http://allafrica.com/stories/201003030015.html
Hope for the Best, Prepare for the Worst
http://www.irinnews.org/Report.aspx?ReportId=88305
UN Chief Calls for Peaceful Polls
http://www0.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=33941&Cr=west+africa&Cr1=
En Francais:
(From Faure and the RPT)
http://www.republicoftogo.com/
Aujourd'hui 4 mars 2010 - Les Togolais ont rendez-vous avec leur destin
http://fr.allafrica.com/stories/201003040039.html
Fin de campagne, démonstration de forces!
http://allafrica.com/stories/201003031020.html
There appears to be an indescribable group of Togolese youth, mobilized and passionate, ready to contest a fraudulent election...truly ready to "die to extract from the ruling party's hand a victory for the opposition." And "take to the streets to reclaim victory, if the ruling power ever tries to steal this vote." I am simultaneously and uncomfortably proud and terrified. Please keep my friends safe.
Last minute election news:
Incumbent Faces Strong Challenge at Polls
http://allafrica.com/stories/201003031020.html
A Crucial Opportunity for the Country
http://allafrica.com/stories/201003030015.html
Hope for the Best, Prepare for the Worst
http://www.irinnews.org/Report.aspx?ReportId=88305
UN Chief Calls for Peaceful Polls
http://www0.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=33941&Cr=west+africa&Cr1=
En Francais:
(From Faure and the RPT)
http://www.republicoftogo.com/
Aujourd'hui 4 mars 2010 - Les Togolais ont rendez-vous avec leur destin
http://fr.allafrica.com/stories/201003040039.html
Fin de campagne, démonstration de forces!
http://allafrica.com/stories/201003031020.html
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