In 1997, Lukas Kariongi was an eager young Maasai from East Africa who traveled to Solar Energy International (SEI) for solar energy training. At SEI, he began his life-changing training to be a solar technician as a tuition-funded scholarship student.
When Lukas first began his SEI journey back when the campus was based in Carbondale, Colorado, he linked up with SEI co-founder, Johnny Weiss. Aligning with SEI’s mission of a world powered by renewable energy, Johnny works as a consultant on initiatives with NGOs in the developing world, as well as Native American Projects in the United States.
Now, for nearly 20 years, Lukas has been working to fulfill his goal of solarizing his home village of Terat, Tanzania. As district-wide progressive village leader, he recently started and is the managing director of Rural Community Support Organization (RUCOSUO), a community-based NGO focused on solar development.
Working with Johnny in Tanzania, Lukas’ solar accomplishments to date include: Starting a training school for Maasai youth that features hands-on practical solar training and computer skills, working with local entrepreneurs selling/installing pico solar and home PV systems, and Lukas and RUCOSUO are developing a plan to revitalize a dysfunctional generator powered mini-grid, to turn it into a model solar battery-based microgrid.
On top of all of these accomplishments, Lukas and Johnny are excited to announce their latest initiative, The Maasai Village Solar Radio Project, with the goal to solar power a newly established and much-needed radio station in Tanzania. Solarizing the radio station will be a major step toward promoting solar power to all the villages throughout the Simanjiro District. Additionally, ongoing and future solar applications for the region include: solarizing maternal health dispensaries, health clinics, solar home systems, primary schools, and solar water pumping systems.
With a crowd-funding goal of $25,000, the program needs your help to get off the ground. The program is taking donations from now until January 12, with exclusive SEI-themed giveaways including gear and classes, available if you donate now. Donate today on the program’s crowdfunding page and learn more about Maasai and updates on the program’s blog.
Credit toward a Solar Energy International online course is now available for the first 10 people who donate $500 or more. Learn more about renewable energy technologies from world-renowned online training experts from the comforts of your home or office, and make a difference in helping bring much-needed solar to this Maasai Village in Tanzania!
