Satemwa JB have entered into a partnership with Kadzuwa, based in Mzuzu, Malawi, to supply 2000 micro solar panels, batteries and energy saving bulbs to help provide light and electricity to the workers and villages. Kadzuwa are supported and established by SolarAid, a UK based charity.
So far Kadzuwa, through their village assembly groups in the North, have supplied 550 panels. They are sending 200 more each month.
The JB buy the kits (MK5000 each) using workers fairtrade premium funds and then sell these at a subsidised price of MK1000 ($7) to the workers.
Next month, SolarAid are visiting to discuss setting up solar panel assembly groups in the local villages around Satemwa so local people can benefit from making small solar businesses in assembly, sales, spares bulbs and repairs.
The Solars are very popular. With one panel, workers can charge their mobile phones, light their houses every night and listen to their radios, for free.
using solar power to listen to the radio
Takondwa Banda, a part-time working mother from Chawani division, commented “I don’t pay for paraffin or batteries any more. It was MK1000 a month. I have more money. You see?”
Other workers are less sure. Smart Stimme from Factory division says “some are still waiting for their Solar. We are crying whether we can get them in time. We don’t know if they are coming?”
JB Chairman, Rabson Kalowa, responds “we are getting good price because they are being made by Malawians. But it means they take a longer time to come. These members [JB] and the General Assembly must explain to the workers that they should stop complaining. It will come. But we are many. They cannot understand.”
1300 workers are still due delivery. The JB estimate 3 more months to go.
Robert Muthete, JB member, demonstrating the low energy bulbs.
No comments:
Post a Comment