ok, i bought plane tickets so i can make both of the meetings below, as well as the trip to the maasai village if the new design shellers are working by sunday.
sunday night at 8 i'm flying on precision air turbo prop (wish me luck with that one) from kilimanjaro to nairobi, and monday night at 5:30 from nairobi to dar to make the tuesday meetings. i'm not getting a ticket back to arusha yet from dar in case there are more meetings there. but any additional meetings in nairobi monday will have to end by 2:30 so i can get to the airport by 3:30. follow up meetings in nairobi should be scheduled for jodie on the 16th, and i'll mention that during my meetings as well.
all 3 units here seemed beyond repair, the old and the new shellers after 2 days of demos at Nane-Nane, and the grinder which never worked at all. so I asked around and the expat business owners recommended Karam Engineering right here in Arusha. I spoke with the Indian father and son who own the place. They have lots of advanced machines of all types, 40 people working simultaneously all day, and in addition to extensive prototyping experience they are now running a large operation to produce every MoneyMaker pump sold in Tanzania, and gradually ramping up that production as those sales grow. I saw the factory floor where the pumps were being made. It was a very impressive operation, definitely African in appearance in terms of safety equipment and cleanliness, but nonetheless stocked with a full complement of all the necessary machines.
I left the bike with the new sheller with them, as well as a grinder and sample parts from our rahi. They said the design had 3 major issues that they could see immediately:
1. Much of the metal was too thin for holding the unit still and keeping the shaft from bending, considering the forces involved. They weren't going to do real finite element analysis or anything like we would do if we were designing it in the US, but they clearly had the experience to make a much better guess at component strength than we did.
2. The joint between the rahi and the sheller or grinder needed to have a bearing, and needed to be centrally supported in the frame right at that bearing, in order to once again keep the axis from eventually driving the upper gear out of alignment under the full force of the shelling or grinding.
3. The design had to accommodate different size shellers and grinders, and the ability to more easily switch devices.
They said that the current unit we showed them could not be repaired, and I agree strongly after watching Chris mess with it for a whole week. On the plus side, they said they'll have a preliminary design for us and a working prototype in 2 days, in time for the peak of Nane Nane on Saturday, and possibly for our Maasai village trip on Sunday. If they pull it off successfully and get us out of the jam we're in, I'll ask them to re-build the other sheller and grinder demo units next week, and if they succeed with that and give us a fair price, I will ask them to build all 30 shellers and 10 grinders that we currently have (or Jodie will if I'm gone by then).
In other news, the lawyers are now promising that the corporate registration papers will be finished tomorrow, and they are apparently sending people to Dar next week for some other reason, so they may be willing to file them for us for a fraction of the original $1500 they asked for. I don't feel like this is a rush, but it's nice to get it out of the way, so that Jodie can open a local bank account, and look for office space in Arusha as soon as she arrives.
--
Semyon, Tanzania
Summary of meetings for Semyon coming up:
MONDAY
- Rockefeller/AGRA
- Acumen Fund
TUESDAY
- NMB
- Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Cooperatives
- METL
Showing posts with label pilot study. Show all posts
Showing posts with label pilot study. Show all posts
First Day of Nane Nane
Below are pictures of the start of Nane Nane. Note: Nane Nane literally means "8/8" for the annual agricultural festival that is held from August 1 to 8.
So we didn't quite get it together by 8am, but that was OK because the day started very slowly. Alphonse has spent about 3 days waiting in various lines to get us door passes, which are about as secure as a typical passport, complete with requiring passport size photos on which you may not smile, and the lines are par for the course in Tanzania.
Our tent was up, and by 9 the sides and the decorations had been attached as well, and we laid out a partial tarp floor that we purchased separately. The banner was hand painted the night before with only minor errors, as printing would have been prohibitively expensive. Tying it on proved more difficult than I expected, though I think some of our team was on to this which would explain their insistence on waiting to tie it until later when more people are there. Instead however it fit nicely over the two tables which arrived already. We didn't get the offset printed brochures in time, but sensing the delay we got a few dozen laser printed ones to get us started, and had picked up the stickers from the printers the day before. By around 10 we realized that the 3rd bike with a grinder wouldn't be ready, so Filemon brought down the two bikes with shellers. One unfortunately had a giant stand welded on rendering it very un-bike-like, and the other was painted 2 different colors, but we quickly bought a saw and some paint, and addressed both issues very effectively. By midday we had a very nicely arranged tent displaying two bikes, were staffed by myself, Filemon, Alphonse, Oscar, and an assistant of Chris's standing by in case something broke, equipped with brochures, business cards, and clipboards with info sign up sheets. All that were missing were the visitors who were probably held back by the draconian gate pass procedures. Alphonse and Oscar wanted to wait until tomorrow to being trying to find people, but Filemon snatched up a passing businessman out of thin air, and with great excitement led him into the tent. The guy became quickly engaged and was very interested, and suddenly several others appeared out of nowhere, forming a small crowd which didn't dissipate until I left half an hour later for a meeting with our lawyer. From what I could tell, almost everyone who saw it loved it, got it, and wanted to buy one at the first opportunity, with the only problem being the high price. It was very early, and there were very few people at the show on the first day, but I saw more than enough to know that the demand is deep and broad, and that we'll have our hands full trying to meet it. Furthermore Filemon proved himself amazing, one of the best people I've ever seen at jumping into a startup full force in 15 years of starting companies. He not only executed all day long on all cylinders, but also showed an innate superstar sales ability. I can easily see him growing into the role of our VP of sales and marketing for the country.
Tomorrow the paint will dry and hopefully the stands on the bikes will be repaired, so that we can begin demonstrating the shellers, or possibly even a grinder. We have a bag of corn waiting in the back of the tent. Also the independent video journalist from New York should arrive by the afternoon, so we may be giving some interviews and generally shooting video of all the action around our tent.
Meanwhile the lawyers started the process of formally registering our US LLC to do business in Tanzania, which is not usually done at such an early stage here, but I decided it's best to spend a little upfront but go by the books on this one. To save money, we're going to be sending Alphonse to Dar es Salaam instead of the lawyers, as apparently the task there consists entirely of 3 days of waiting in lines in order to get the paperwork filed with the appropriate offices.
The undersea cable bringing fast Internet to the region has thus far failed to materialize, and I'm not holding my breath. The cellular device for laptops won't work with my mac, and I have been unable to get the wireless password out of anyone at the Spiritan house despite several attempts, but I did find a hotel not far away with free wireless at half way decent speeds.
My general impression of Arusha is that it's poor, highly polluted, dusty, and truly dangerous after dark. But the people are friendly and humble. The only problem has been the fly catchers who approach every white man in the center with endless demands for fake friendly interaction with many handshakes leading to the obligatory hard sell, and don't take no for an answer. However I seemed to have stumbled on the winning formula to contain this menace: without even replying to the "Hujambo rafiki", I launch straight into a hard sell of my own: I'm here to sell you this amazing corn grinder with a bike, you can use it to grind corn and then another one to shell it, and make money in the country. Some of them have in fact shown interest when I explained that they could get a bank loan, but more importantly they all recognized me as a fellow salesman instead of a mark, and the reputation is clearly spreading, to where in a few more days I think I'll be left alone and be able to walk around town in peace.
Time to head back home for dinner. Missing veggies and meat a lot, but still haven't gotten sick aside from an annoying neck cramp, which is something to be thankful for. Yesterday the power went out from about 7 to 10, but to my great luck my laptop was charged, so I was able to use it as a lantern and get some reading done.
--
Semyon, Tanzania
(unfortunately, the name leaves off the final "s" in "solutions", but it still gets our name out there)
So we didn't quite get it together by 8am, but that was OK because the day started very slowly. Alphonse has spent about 3 days waiting in various lines to get us door passes, which are about as secure as a typical passport, complete with requiring passport size photos on which you may not smile, and the lines are par for the course in Tanzania.
Our tent was up, and by 9 the sides and the decorations had been attached as well, and we laid out a partial tarp floor that we purchased separately. The banner was hand painted the night before with only minor errors, as printing would have been prohibitively expensive. Tying it on proved more difficult than I expected, though I think some of our team was on to this which would explain their insistence on waiting to tie it until later when more people are there. Instead however it fit nicely over the two tables which arrived already. We didn't get the offset printed brochures in time, but sensing the delay we got a few dozen laser printed ones to get us started, and had picked up the stickers from the printers the day before. By around 10 we realized that the 3rd bike with a grinder wouldn't be ready, so Filemon brought down the two bikes with shellers. One unfortunately had a giant stand welded on rendering it very un-bike-like, and the other was painted 2 different colors, but we quickly bought a saw and some paint, and addressed both issues very effectively. By midday we had a very nicely arranged tent displaying two bikes, were staffed by myself, Filemon, Alphonse, Oscar, and an assistant of Chris's standing by in case something broke, equipped with brochures, business cards, and clipboards with info sign up sheets. All that were missing were the visitors who were probably held back by the draconian gate pass procedures. Alphonse and Oscar wanted to wait until tomorrow to being trying to find people, but Filemon snatched up a passing businessman out of thin air, and with great excitement led him into the tent. The guy became quickly engaged and was very interested, and suddenly several others appeared out of nowhere, forming a small crowd which didn't dissipate until I left half an hour later for a meeting with our lawyer. From what I could tell, almost everyone who saw it loved it, got it, and wanted to buy one at the first opportunity, with the only problem being the high price. It was very early, and there were very few people at the show on the first day, but I saw more than enough to know that the demand is deep and broad, and that we'll have our hands full trying to meet it. Furthermore Filemon proved himself amazing, one of the best people I've ever seen at jumping into a startup full force in 15 years of starting companies. He not only executed all day long on all cylinders, but also showed an innate superstar sales ability. I can easily see him growing into the role of our VP of sales and marketing for the country.
Tomorrow the paint will dry and hopefully the stands on the bikes will be repaired, so that we can begin demonstrating the shellers, or possibly even a grinder. We have a bag of corn waiting in the back of the tent. Also the independent video journalist from New York should arrive by the afternoon, so we may be giving some interviews and generally shooting video of all the action around our tent.
Meanwhile the lawyers started the process of formally registering our US LLC to do business in Tanzania, which is not usually done at such an early stage here, but I decided it's best to spend a little upfront but go by the books on this one. To save money, we're going to be sending Alphonse to Dar es Salaam instead of the lawyers, as apparently the task there consists entirely of 3 days of waiting in lines in order to get the paperwork filed with the appropriate offices.
The undersea cable bringing fast Internet to the region has thus far failed to materialize, and I'm not holding my breath. The cellular device for laptops won't work with my mac, and I have been unable to get the wireless password out of anyone at the Spiritan house despite several attempts, but I did find a hotel not far away with free wireless at half way decent speeds.
My general impression of Arusha is that it's poor, highly polluted, dusty, and truly dangerous after dark. But the people are friendly and humble. The only problem has been the fly catchers who approach every white man in the center with endless demands for fake friendly interaction with many handshakes leading to the obligatory hard sell, and don't take no for an answer. However I seemed to have stumbled on the winning formula to contain this menace: without even replying to the "Hujambo rafiki", I launch straight into a hard sell of my own: I'm here to sell you this amazing corn grinder with a bike, you can use it to grind corn and then another one to shell it, and make money in the country. Some of them have in fact shown interest when I explained that they could get a bank loan, but more importantly they all recognized me as a fellow salesman instead of a mark, and the reputation is clearly spreading, to where in a few more days I think I'll be left alone and be able to walk around town in peace.
Time to head back home for dinner. Missing veggies and meat a lot, but still haven't gotten sick aside from an annoying neck cramp, which is something to be thankful for. Yesterday the power went out from about 7 to 10, but to my great luck my laptop was charged, so I was able to use it as a lantern and get some reading done.
--
Semyon, Tanzania
On-Site meeting with NMB
Meeting with Vicky tomorrow 11 AM (EAT). She is the branch manager for NMB. The bank director sent her our report and she will be able to take a decision herself for a small pilot.
Good luck, Semyon!
--
Esmeralda, Belgium
Good luck, Semyon!
--
Esmeralda, Belgium
Pricing the Bikes
I talked to the TZ company manufacturing the Phoenix bikes.
(NABICO, Nat'l Bicycles Company, has been acquired by METL, one of TZ’s largest businesses, so I actually talked to METL.)
I asked about the price, which is $60, which is pretty good I think. He is open to negotiating further if we buy in bulk. There is an office in Arusha and they cater to farmers, which could be useful if we decide to work with them.
We need to check if these bikes are robust enough and if the Rahi can easily be hooked to it. If that's the case, I feel that selling the package with a Phoenix could help us since the price is so low. Maybe we could sell the whole package in their stores.
--
Esmeralda, Belgium
(NABICO, Nat'l Bicycles Company, has been acquired by METL, one of TZ’s largest businesses, so I actually talked to METL.)
I asked about the price, which is $60, which is pretty good I think. He is open to negotiating further if we buy in bulk. There is an office in Arusha and they cater to farmers, which could be useful if we decide to work with them.
We need to check if these bikes are robust enough and if the Rahi can easily be hooked to it. If that's the case, I feel that selling the package with a Phoenix could help us since the price is so low. Maybe we could sell the whole package in their stores.
--
Esmeralda, Belgium
Ending on a Fun Note
Hi Again,
I thought maybe I should add some other fun news. My last week in Tanzania, Joseph took me to many great places to eat - especially one called G&T with fantastic pork and good chipsi (french fries) that is rumored to be one of Jodie's and Tish's favorites. On Saturday, after all our work was done, we went to have celebratory drinks at a hotel that also has....a zoo! There is a huge compound for animals like ostriches, peacocks, zebras, antelope and a variety birds and fishes. They had so many little monkeys in the trees above the buildings and open spaces too. There was also a pen of porcupines, alligators, an eagle, a very funny looking bird that you can find in the Uganda national seal, and a giant monkey that hopped over the fence and walked right by us to the trees. That night we saw a live show of a band and hip-hop breakdancers at a popular bar (whose name I can't recall).
So overall- I did a lot of work but enjoyed my time there as well.
--
Lisa, Tanzania
I thought maybe I should add some other fun news. My last week in Tanzania, Joseph took me to many great places to eat - especially one called G&T with fantastic pork and good chipsi (french fries) that is rumored to be one of Jodie's and Tish's favorites. On Saturday, after all our work was done, we went to have celebratory drinks at a hotel that also has....a zoo! There is a huge compound for animals like ostriches, peacocks, zebras, antelope and a variety birds and fishes. They had so many little monkeys in the trees above the buildings and open spaces too. There was also a pen of porcupines, alligators, an eagle, a very funny looking bird that you can find in the Uganda national seal, and a giant monkey that hopped over the fence and walked right by us to the trees. That night we saw a live show of a band and hip-hop breakdancers at a popular bar (whose name I can't recall).
So overall- I did a lot of work but enjoyed my time there as well.
--
Lisa, Tanzania
Wrapping up in Tanzania (for now)
Mambo!
It's been a while since I've written. My last couple days in Tanzania were crazy ones. I was busy taking care of unfinished business. We have a trustworthy, hard worker in the workshop quickly completing parts for the remaining 50 and attaching grinders sent from Javier; a driver who will pick up the corn shellers for us from Kilimanjaro airport when they arrive and Semyon when he arrives late July; and two more newly hired Tanzanians to help us for Nane Nane. There was a lot of driving back and forth between the town and the workshop, running around to meet people, negotiating prices, buying missing things, and figuring the most reliable and cheapest way to ship our product according to the buyers wishes.
We have officially sold and sent our first product! One completed set was sent to Uganda by bus and instructions for assembly were sent by mail. It should arrive in Kampala early Monday for pick up from the customer who purchased it. As our first customers, their feedback will be extremely valuable. However, while bussing is a reliable and cheap way of shipping products in East Africa, we'll probably have to begin paying border taxes when we begin to send many at once kept in nicer boxes.
I feel I did a lot of work in Tanzania, hopefully leaving behind a good start for GCS when Semyon and Jodie arrive. I hope Nane Nane goes smoothly and the word gets out for GCS.
Ghana promises to be as wonderful an experience as Tanzania was. The event officially begins tomorrow and according to our schedule, every hour of our day is planned with some activity until about 6PM. We will have time late in the month to present our technology to the Conference participants (many come from organizations or local centers that have, make, or equip the centers with appropriate technologies). Unfortunately I had forgotten to bring some of the machines to Ghana, but likely, the person completing sets in the workshop can ship some in time for our second visit to the rural villages. The event organizers have some bicycles, but they are in use by those organizers. I would like to measure the dimensions of the organizers' bicycles and look into for how much and where I can buy a bicycle to hopefully attach the Rahi and show the participants and the villagers.
Hope all is well back at home. Kwa heri!
--
Lisa, Tanzania
It's been a while since I've written. My last couple days in Tanzania were crazy ones. I was busy taking care of unfinished business. We have a trustworthy, hard worker in the workshop quickly completing parts for the remaining 50 and attaching grinders sent from Javier; a driver who will pick up the corn shellers for us from Kilimanjaro airport when they arrive and Semyon when he arrives late July; and two more newly hired Tanzanians to help us for Nane Nane. There was a lot of driving back and forth between the town and the workshop, running around to meet people, negotiating prices, buying missing things, and figuring the most reliable and cheapest way to ship our product according to the buyers wishes.
We have officially sold and sent our first product! One completed set was sent to Uganda by bus and instructions for assembly were sent by mail. It should arrive in Kampala early Monday for pick up from the customer who purchased it. As our first customers, their feedback will be extremely valuable. However, while bussing is a reliable and cheap way of shipping products in East Africa, we'll probably have to begin paying border taxes when we begin to send many at once kept in nicer boxes.
I feel I did a lot of work in Tanzania, hopefully leaving behind a good start for GCS when Semyon and Jodie arrive. I hope Nane Nane goes smoothly and the word gets out for GCS.
Ghana promises to be as wonderful an experience as Tanzania was. The event officially begins tomorrow and according to our schedule, every hour of our day is planned with some activity until about 6PM. We will have time late in the month to present our technology to the Conference participants (many come from organizations or local centers that have, make, or equip the centers with appropriate technologies). Unfortunately I had forgotten to bring some of the machines to Ghana, but likely, the person completing sets in the workshop can ship some in time for our second visit to the rural villages. The event organizers have some bicycles, but they are in use by those organizers. I would like to measure the dimensions of the organizers' bicycles and look into for how much and where I can buy a bicycle to hopefully attach the Rahi and show the participants and the villagers.
Hope all is well back at home. Kwa heri!
--
Lisa, Tanzania
Construction Progress
Mambo!
I'm just delivering my small update on a nice calm, quiet Sunday night, but unfortunately the internet is down throughout the hotel. I am sending this via the Priest's usb internet service from a local phone company. Last Friday I left off nearly completing the first 10 attachment interfaces. With nearly all the necessary metal pieces cut, I began the details- holes, grinding, bending, and welding- on those pieces 10 at a time near the end of week. Jospeh, while in Dar es Salaam has been purchasing the necessary bicycle parts- much cheaper there than in Arusha (the Arusha bicycle stores get their spare parts from Dar). Those should be arriving Monday night. This weekend has been pretty relaxing, only making arrangements with Shaibu's help for Semyon and a local Tanzania crew to represent GCS at Nane Nane. GCS will have its first local hires to help with Nane Nane! Over dinner Friday he gave me the form and we talked. This early evening, after dinner and a game of pool, I gave him the form to turn in Monday (the office of TASO, Tanzania Agricultural Society who annual hosts the event is near Tumaini Cycles) and he promised to talk to Mwalimu Charles and to trusted Tumaini Cycle students who supported Jodie last summer about working for GCS during the 10-day Nane Nane event.
Jodie came up with a brilliant idea that we plan to pass by Bernard fairly soon- to showcase his own inventions at GCS' Nane Nane lot! I think this would be great for Bernard- a chance to be seen, and sell his machines while helping us to promote our social mission of spreading appropriate technology.
I received a phone call today from Geoff with the NGO ___ . They have been working on various projects including promotion of small businesses in Mufundi in the south eastern part of Tanzania. He heard about our machine, checked out our website and contacted Jodie. In the phone call, he expressed interest in purchasing a few of our products and having them transported to Mufundi through their own service (they have books from a library in Arusha regularly transported to their location in Mufundi and it would go along with that). He also asked who was our target customers and how we are planning to proceed with our attachments. Of course I explained our model of encouraging small businesses with them or use through groups and communities, which he seemed to approve for their purposes. He affirmed they widely use Phoenix bicycles there as well. He asked me if we had the grinder yet, because, while the sheller sounded good, he felt the grinder may be even better of use to them in Mufundi (some people would still shell corn by hand, but would really appreciate the help of the grinder) and was also very interested in the water pump idea. That was interesting input for future use. He then asked about pricing and readiness and I told him I could give him a price estimate of per bicycle attachment/Rahisisha soon and more information on when they will be ready for purchase. I am working to tabulate how much it has currently cost to make the 50 here, and have the team decide a sale price to the NGO- you'll see in email in a day or two on that. (Woohoo, potential first sale!!)
This week I plan to continue toiling in the workshop putting together as many Rahisisha's (as they are now called, and not Geuza). My palms are getting tough and my arms a bit stronger as it is becoming easier and easier to do some things, like double bend small flat stock pieces that were once very difficult for me- and hold the grinder for about half an hour! (Geez, it is heavy). Jospeh will be around to help in construction and Shaibu will occasionally come after his work. I look forward to a really exciting and productive week as we complete our Rahisisha's and prepare for the 16th annual Nane Nane!
Until next time,
Lisa
Arusha, Tanzania, Africa
I'm just delivering my small update on a nice calm, quiet Sunday night, but unfortunately the internet is down throughout the hotel. I am sending this via the Priest's usb internet service from a local phone company. Last Friday I left off nearly completing the first 10 attachment interfaces. With nearly all the necessary metal pieces cut, I began the details- holes, grinding, bending, and welding- on those pieces 10 at a time near the end of week. Jospeh, while in Dar es Salaam has been purchasing the necessary bicycle parts- much cheaper there than in Arusha (the Arusha bicycle stores get their spare parts from Dar). Those should be arriving Monday night. This weekend has been pretty relaxing, only making arrangements with Shaibu's help for Semyon and a local Tanzania crew to represent GCS at Nane Nane. GCS will have its first local hires to help with Nane Nane! Over dinner Friday he gave me the form and we talked. This early evening, after dinner and a game of pool, I gave him the form to turn in Monday (the office of TASO, Tanzania Agricultural Society who annual hosts the event is near Tumaini Cycles) and he promised to talk to Mwalimu Charles and to trusted Tumaini Cycle students who supported Jodie last summer about working for GCS during the 10-day Nane Nane event.
Jodie came up with a brilliant idea that we plan to pass by Bernard fairly soon- to showcase his own inventions at GCS' Nane Nane lot! I think this would be great for Bernard- a chance to be seen, and sell his machines while helping us to promote our social mission of spreading appropriate technology.
I received a phone call today from Geoff with the NGO ___ . They have been working on various projects including promotion of small businesses in Mufundi in the south eastern part of Tanzania. He heard about our machine, checked out our website and contacted Jodie. In the phone call, he expressed interest in purchasing a few of our products and having them transported to Mufundi through their own service (they have books from a library in Arusha regularly transported to their location in Mufundi and it would go along with that). He also asked who was our target customers and how we are planning to proceed with our attachments. Of course I explained our model of encouraging small businesses with them or use through groups and communities, which he seemed to approve for their purposes. He affirmed they widely use Phoenix bicycles there as well. He asked me if we had the grinder yet, because, while the sheller sounded good, he felt the grinder may be even better of use to them in Mufundi (some people would still shell corn by hand, but would really appreciate the help of the grinder) and was also very interested in the water pump idea. That was interesting input for future use. He then asked about pricing and readiness and I told him I could give him a price estimate of per bicycle attachment/Rahisisha soon and more information on when they will be ready for purchase. I am working to tabulate how much it has currently cost to make the 50 here, and have the team decide a sale price to the NGO- you'll see in email in a day or two on that. (Woohoo, potential first sale!!)
This week I plan to continue toiling in the workshop putting together as many Rahisisha's (as they are now called, and not Geuza). My palms are getting tough and my arms a bit stronger as it is becoming easier and easier to do some things, like double bend small flat stock pieces that were once very difficult for me- and hold the grinder for about half an hour! (Geez, it is heavy). Jospeh will be around to help in construction and Shaibu will occasionally come after his work. I look forward to a really exciting and productive week as we complete our Rahisisha's and prepare for the 16th annual Nane Nane!
Until next time,
Lisa
Arusha, Tanzania, Africa
Pictures and Learning Swahili
Hey Everyone,
As promised, footage of our new Tanzanian model! I hoped you could all view the video, but it's too large to send via this internet. I'll try again later on the wireless. Attached is a picture of the ensemble with a clear view of the modification to the design.
Small change in plans; the Father at the house offered this morning to tutor me everyday after dinner for 45 minutes in Swahili. Much simpler arrangement than with Daniel's brother. They tell me the Father is a good teacher and has even tutored the other American guest at the house (who speaks quite fluently). This will be great!
I had quite an adventure this morning. After making arrangements this morning as to when and where to meet Benard in town, I hop on the daladala as I normally do. I tell the conductor "Chama" my stop to Mobility Care, give him my fare and sit back. I must of not noticed when we passed the stop, but the lady next to me asked me something in Swahili about chama and points backward. I took that to mean we passed chama. Suddenly, everyone in the bus starts screaming at the conductor about the "mzungu" (white person) and chama and they stopped the bus. The started asking me something in Swahili. I think they were tryign to tell me that I could wait on the bus and get off when it turns around (based on hand signals), but someone noticed I didn't understand much Swahili, (I understood that much when she said it, lol). So I said "Kiswahili kidogo" (more or less that I speak very little Swahili). Finally, one of the ladies told me in English that the conductor planned to have another bus in the opposite direction take me back to chama for free and it wasn't far. Which they did and I finally got to Mobility Care.
Anyway, I thought it was a bit funny.
I'll keep you posted of any news!
-Lisa
Arusha, Tanazania, Africa
As promised, footage of our new Tanzanian model! I hoped you could all view the video, but it's too large to send via this internet. I'll try again later on the wireless. Attached is a picture of the ensemble with a clear view of the modification to the design.
Small change in plans; the Father at the house offered this morning to tutor me everyday after dinner for 45 minutes in Swahili. Much simpler arrangement than with Daniel's brother. They tell me the Father is a good teacher and has even tutored the other American guest at the house (who speaks quite fluently). This will be great!
I had quite an adventure this morning. After making arrangements this morning as to when and where to meet Benard in town, I hop on the daladala as I normally do. I tell the conductor "Chama" my stop to Mobility Care, give him my fare and sit back. I must of not noticed when we passed the stop, but the lady next to me asked me something in Swahili about chama and points backward. I took that to mean we passed chama. Suddenly, everyone in the bus starts screaming at the conductor about the "mzungu" (white person) and chama and they stopped the bus. The started asking me something in Swahili. I think they were tryign to tell me that I could wait on the bus and get off when it turns around (based on hand signals), but someone noticed I didn't understand much Swahili, (I understood that much when she said it, lol). So I said "Kiswahili kidogo" (more or less that I speak very little Swahili). Finally, one of the ladies told me in English that the conductor planned to have another bus in the opposite direction take me back to chama for free and it wasn't far. Which they did and I finally got to Mobility Care.
Anyway, I thought it was a bit funny.
I'll keep you posted of any news!
-Lisa
Arusha, Tanazania, Africa
Good-Looking Models
Hey Team,
Mini-Update: The model works beautifully!! I had Daniel's brother on
the bicycle and cycling with the corn sheller- chain doesn't fall off
either! The hub works well and we may keep that in the design. I will
take some video and pictures tomorrow and send them at Mobility Care
(they have a faster connection than the hotel).
Benard is helping get a few tools tomorrow in town to help make
product building much faster, then coming by the workshop again. I
plan to ask him if we can pass by the hardware stores again for
ordering 46 or so corn shellers. I'll continue cutting, grinding edges
and marking holes tomorrow. I almost down cutting all the metal. The
angle iron mounts is what is taking the longest. Phew. Well the
machine does most of it, haha, but it's a slow machine.
Next week: bending (using a homemade die), welding and ordering
missing bicycle parts in bulk. (And more depending on what's left)
Non-building update: Daniel's brother is a secondary school Physics
teacher and has experience teaching Swahili. He offered to tutor me in
Swahili (free! I asked first.) after the workshop closes, a few days
the week, for two hours. I may take him up on that offer if my after
work schedule is not too busy.
Other than that, I plan to ask around about microfinance organizations
to pass along the contact information.
Don't forget to look out for my email when you wake up tomorrow! Stay tuned!
-Lisa
Arusha, Tanzania, Africa
Mini-Update: The model works beautifully!! I had Daniel's brother on
the bicycle and cycling with the corn sheller- chain doesn't fall off
either! The hub works well and we may keep that in the design. I will
take some video and pictures tomorrow and send them at Mobility Care
(they have a faster connection than the hotel).
Benard is helping get a few tools tomorrow in town to help make
product building much faster, then coming by the workshop again. I
plan to ask him if we can pass by the hardware stores again for
ordering 46 or so corn shellers. I'll continue cutting, grinding edges
and marking holes tomorrow. I almost down cutting all the metal. The
angle iron mounts is what is taking the longest. Phew. Well the
machine does most of it, haha, but it's a slow machine.
Next week: bending (using a homemade die), welding and ordering
missing bicycle parts in bulk. (And more depending on what's left)
Non-building update: Daniel's brother is a secondary school Physics
teacher and has experience teaching Swahili. He offered to tutor me in
Swahili (free! I asked first.) after the workshop closes, a few days
the week, for two hours. I may take him up on that offer if my after
work schedule is not too busy.
Other than that, I plan to ask around about microfinance organizations
to pass along the contact information.
Don't forget to look out for my email when you wake up tomorrow! Stay tuned!
-Lisa
Arusha, Tanzania, Africa
Getting Down and Dirty
Mambo!
I'm doing well and moving along quickly! Here is what I've been up to:
This past Wednesday we went to town to buy all the materials I would need. We first shopped around for all the prices, compared our offers and went with the best. However, we were having a hard time finding a pick up to help us take all our purchases to Mobility Care. Their connection was too far and Joseph's connection had his pick-up at the garage. We were left to ask around pick-up drivers we didn't know and who were looking for work, near the Central Market. We had yet to find a good deal on the pick-up when Benard joined us. We had lunch and then he took us to the hardware store that sells corn shellers. They had promised Benard to have a stock of 50, but they ordered the wrong item- sprinklers! They had 3 corn shellers in store however and we bought those (leaves me with 4 total - the one Jodie bought last summer plus the new ones). The shop owner would not tell me where he buys his stock from, naturally, to protect his business. All we know is that they come from India and there have Chinese symbols on each sheller. Maybe Jodie or Alex could help figure out what it says?! The second hardware store that may have had shellers was closed for the day. We'll try again next week, putting in a wholesale order of 46. Then we headed over to a bicycle shop that sells parts at good price and from whom we can order sprockets and chain “wholesale”. We bought only two boxes of chain (we want to confirm the needed length first) and two kid's single speed pedal cranks (for the sprockets- they only had two in store). They are not the exact size we used at MIT, but they are not much different and easier to work with. The chain and sprockets will be ordered wholesale as well. We bought steel directly from a supplier at a pretty low price and found a hub and Phoenix bicycle at a good bargain. The Tanzanians prefer the Phoenix bicycle because of its availability, strength and low price. It's structure is similar to the WBR bike, but the rear rack is a bit smaller, a bigger rack can also be found, but I think its current rack should be fine. I proudly slapped a GCS sticker on the green beauty on the top bar between the handles and seat. After being in the workshop, however, the white of the sticker began to look rather dirty. It still seems to match and look gorgeous to me.
With very little time left to get everything to Mobility Care before they closed, we found a pick-up driver who gave us a good deal and drove quickly with all our parts to the workshop (us following crazily behind). We made it and stored it, ready to be used the next day!
Working at Mobility Care was definitely a good decision. The workshop space is fantastic and the people are always ready to help. They also have a large and decent set of tools to share. We have nearly completed the first product model to work from, adjusting the Geuza- now Rahisisha- size to the Phoenix bike - and testing a new design change. It incorporates a hub in the ensemble. It looks promising but Monday we will begin the first tests! Joseph helped out at the workshop Thursday, and Bernard came on Friday (Thursday he had an emergency). He will come again on Monday to help finish the first one, the model. Meanwhile, I have been cutting all the recently acquired metal to prepare all the parts and I will continue to do so this week.
The workshop is closed for the weekend, so I decided to work on my updates and future plans and enjoy Lake Manyara, one of Tanzania's beautiful National Parks!
Future Plan summary: By the end of next week, I should have all pieces cut and marked and hopefully have begun all the small detail preparations (some holes, the bending, the welding- there have been a few changes to strengthen the ensemble and they seem to prefer the welding than having many many bolts).
-Lisa
Arusha, Tanzania, Africa
I'm doing well and moving along quickly! Here is what I've been up to:
This past Wednesday we went to town to buy all the materials I would need. We first shopped around for all the prices, compared our offers and went with the best. However, we were having a hard time finding a pick up to help us take all our purchases to Mobility Care. Their connection was too far and Joseph's connection had his pick-up at the garage. We were left to ask around pick-up drivers we didn't know and who were looking for work, near the Central Market. We had yet to find a good deal on the pick-up when Benard joined us. We had lunch and then he took us to the hardware store that sells corn shellers. They had promised Benard to have a stock of 50, but they ordered the wrong item- sprinklers! They had 3 corn shellers in store however and we bought those (leaves me with 4 total - the one Jodie bought last summer plus the new ones). The shop owner would not tell me where he buys his stock from, naturally, to protect his business. All we know is that they come from India and there have Chinese symbols on each sheller. Maybe Jodie or Alex could help figure out what it says?! The second hardware store that may have had shellers was closed for the day. We'll try again next week, putting in a wholesale order of 46. Then we headed over to a bicycle shop that sells parts at good price and from whom we can order sprockets and chain “wholesale”. We bought only two boxes of chain (we want to confirm the needed length first) and two kid's single speed pedal cranks (for the sprockets- they only had two in store). They are not the exact size we used at MIT, but they are not much different and easier to work with. The chain and sprockets will be ordered wholesale as well. We bought steel directly from a supplier at a pretty low price and found a hub and Phoenix bicycle at a good bargain. The Tanzanians prefer the Phoenix bicycle because of its availability, strength and low price. It's structure is similar to the WBR bike, but the rear rack is a bit smaller, a bigger rack can also be found, but I think its current rack should be fine. I proudly slapped a GCS sticker on the green beauty on the top bar between the handles and seat. After being in the workshop, however, the white of the sticker began to look rather dirty. It still seems to match and look gorgeous to me.
With very little time left to get everything to Mobility Care before they closed, we found a pick-up driver who gave us a good deal and drove quickly with all our parts to the workshop (us following crazily behind). We made it and stored it, ready to be used the next day!
Working at Mobility Care was definitely a good decision. The workshop space is fantastic and the people are always ready to help. They also have a large and decent set of tools to share. We have nearly completed the first product model to work from, adjusting the Geuza- now Rahisisha- size to the Phoenix bike - and testing a new design change. It incorporates a hub in the ensemble. It looks promising but Monday we will begin the first tests! Joseph helped out at the workshop Thursday, and Bernard came on Friday (Thursday he had an emergency). He will come again on Monday to help finish the first one, the model. Meanwhile, I have been cutting all the recently acquired metal to prepare all the parts and I will continue to do so this week.
The workshop is closed for the weekend, so I decided to work on my updates and future plans and enjoy Lake Manyara, one of Tanzania's beautiful National Parks!
Future Plan summary: By the end of next week, I should have all pieces cut and marked and hopefully have begun all the small detail preparations (some holes, the bending, the welding- there have been a few changes to strengthen the ensemble and they seem to prefer the welding than having many many bolts).
-Lisa
Arusha, Tanzania, Africa
Production Update
Mambo!
I'm doing well and moving along quickly! Here is what I've been up to:
This past Wednesday we went to town to buy all the materials I would need. We first shopped around for all the prices, compared our offers and went with the best. However, we were having a hard time finding a pick up to help us take all our purchases to Mobility Care. Their connection was too far and Joseph's connection had his pick-up at the garage. We were left to ask around pick-up drivers we didn't know and who were looking for work, near the Central Market. We had yet to find a good deal on the pick-up when Benard joined us. We had lunch and then he took us to the hardware store that sells corn shellers. They had promised Benard to have a stock of 50, but they ordered the wrong item- sprinklers! They had 3 corn shellers in store however and we bought those (leaves me with 4 total - the one Jodie bought last summer plus the new ones). The shop owner would not tell me where he buys his stock from, naturally, to protect his business. All we know is that they come from India and there have Chinese symbols on each sheller. Maybe Jodie or Alex could help figure out what it says?! The second hardware store that may have had shellers was closed for the day. We'll try again next week, putting in a wholesale order of 46. Then we headed over to a bicycle shop that sells parts at good price and from whom we can order sprockets and chain “wholesale”. We bought only two boxes of chain (we want to confirm the needed length first) and two kid's single speed pedal cranks (for the sprockets- they only had two in store). They are not the exact size we used at MIT, but they are not much different and easier to work with. The chain and sprockets will be ordered wholesale as well. We bought steel directly from a supplier at a pretty low price and found a hub and Phoenix bicycle at a good bargain. The Tanzanians prefer the Phoenix bicycle because of its availability, strength and low price. It's structure is similar to the WBR bike, but the rear rack is a bit smaller, a bigger rack can also be found, but I think its current rack should be fine. I proudly slapped a GCS sticker on the green beauty on the top bar between the handles and seat. After being in the workshop, however, the white of the sticker began to look rather dirty. It still seems to match and look gorgeous to me.
With very little time left to get everything to Mobility Care before they closed, we found a pick-up driver who gave us a good deal and drove quickly with all our parts to the workshop (us following crazily behind). We made it and stored it, ready to be used the next day!
Working at Mobility Care was definitely a good decision. The workshop space is fantastic and the people are always ready to help. They also have a large and decent set of tools to share. We have nearly completed the first product model to work from, adjusting the Geuza - now called the Rahisisha- size to the Phoenix bike - and testing a new design change. It incorporates a hub in the ensemble. It looks promising but Monday we will begin the first tests! Joseph helped out at the workshop Thursday, and Bernard came on Friday (Thursday he had an emergency). He will come again on Monday to help finish the first one, the model. Meanwhile, I have been cutting all the recently acquired metal to prepare all the parts and I will continue to do so this week.
The workshop is closed for the weekend, so I decided to work on my updates and future plans and enjoy Lake Manyara, one of Tanzania's beautiful National Parks!
Future Plan summary: By the end of next week, I should have all pieces cut and marked and hopefully have begun all the small detail preparations (some holes, the bending, the welding- there have been a few changes to strengthen the ensemble and they seem to prefer the welding than having many many bolts).
--
Lisa, Tanzania
I'm doing well and moving along quickly! Here is what I've been up to:
This past Wednesday we went to town to buy all the materials I would need. We first shopped around for all the prices, compared our offers and went with the best. However, we were having a hard time finding a pick up to help us take all our purchases to Mobility Care. Their connection was too far and Joseph's connection had his pick-up at the garage. We were left to ask around pick-up drivers we didn't know and who were looking for work, near the Central Market. We had yet to find a good deal on the pick-up when Benard joined us. We had lunch and then he took us to the hardware store that sells corn shellers. They had promised Benard to have a stock of 50, but they ordered the wrong item- sprinklers! They had 3 corn shellers in store however and we bought those (leaves me with 4 total - the one Jodie bought last summer plus the new ones). The shop owner would not tell me where he buys his stock from, naturally, to protect his business. All we know is that they come from India and there have Chinese symbols on each sheller. Maybe Jodie or Alex could help figure out what it says?! The second hardware store that may have had shellers was closed for the day. We'll try again next week, putting in a wholesale order of 46. Then we headed over to a bicycle shop that sells parts at good price and from whom we can order sprockets and chain “wholesale”. We bought only two boxes of chain (we want to confirm the needed length first) and two kid's single speed pedal cranks (for the sprockets- they only had two in store). They are not the exact size we used at MIT, but they are not much different and easier to work with. The chain and sprockets will be ordered wholesale as well. We bought steel directly from a supplier at a pretty low price and found a hub and Phoenix bicycle at a good bargain. The Tanzanians prefer the Phoenix bicycle because of its availability, strength and low price. It's structure is similar to the WBR bike, but the rear rack is a bit smaller, a bigger rack can also be found, but I think its current rack should be fine. I proudly slapped a GCS sticker on the green beauty on the top bar between the handles and seat. After being in the workshop, however, the white of the sticker began to look rather dirty. It still seems to match and look gorgeous to me.
With very little time left to get everything to Mobility Care before they closed, we found a pick-up driver who gave us a good deal and drove quickly with all our parts to the workshop (us following crazily behind). We made it and stored it, ready to be used the next day!
Working at Mobility Care was definitely a good decision. The workshop space is fantastic and the people are always ready to help. They also have a large and decent set of tools to share. We have nearly completed the first product model to work from, adjusting the Geuza - now called the Rahisisha- size to the Phoenix bike - and testing a new design change. It incorporates a hub in the ensemble. It looks promising but Monday we will begin the first tests! Joseph helped out at the workshop Thursday, and Bernard came on Friday (Thursday he had an emergency). He will come again on Monday to help finish the first one, the model. Meanwhile, I have been cutting all the recently acquired metal to prepare all the parts and I will continue to do so this week.
The workshop is closed for the weekend, so I decided to work on my updates and future plans and enjoy Lake Manyara, one of Tanzania's beautiful National Parks!
Future Plan summary: By the end of next week, I should have all pieces cut and marked and hopefully have begun all the small detail preparations (some holes, the bending, the welding- there have been a few changes to strengthen the ensemble and they seem to prefer the welding than having many many bolts).
--
Lisa, Tanzania
Quick Update of On-Site Tasks
Wednesday:
Buy Materials in Market with Bernard and Joseph- 1 Phoenix Bike, 100 Sprockets, 2 Hubs (to test design change), Metal (all of metal amounts calculated)
Take materials to Mobility Care using arranged transportation through Mobility Care
Thursday:
Work at Mobility with Bernard
Friday:
Continue working
-Lisa
Arusha, Tanzania, Africa
Buy Materials in Market with Bernard and Joseph- 1 Phoenix Bike, 100 Sprockets, 2 Hubs (to test design change), Metal (all of metal amounts calculated)
Take materials to Mobility Care using arranged transportation through Mobility Care
Thursday:
Work at Mobility with Bernard
Friday:
Continue working
-Lisa
Arusha, Tanzania, Africa
Arrival and Setting Up
Hello All,
I arrived in Tanzania safely! Joseph picked me up and has been very helpful since then, helping me make many many connections and figure out some accommodations, etc. We have been trying to figure out where is the best place to work and with whom (and where to stay for a month). Affordable hotels for me do not have internet, hence, I've either been mooching off nearby houses in his friend's grandfather's hotel restaurant (haha), and some Internet cafes but its not always reliable there (my first cafe, we had a blackout), second cafe, its temporarily not working. I think the potential centers may have internet, but I'll see on Monday and Tuesday. Just a note to all, I'm 8 hours ahead. Hence 9AM is 5PM and so forth. Joseph may be able
to help me find internet for my little laptop with camera for skype somewhere on Tuesday. This wireless I'm mooching off is too slow for that.
....
I met Shaibu and Joseph met with Bernard for me when I was figuring out my first hotel... They really really want to help us out (talented technicians). We are meeting with them Sunday afternoon. They work at the bicycle workshop in the Vijana Center, but they can
contribute to the design and future fabrication of the Geuza. We will figure out more details of their relation tomorrow. They are coming to Ghana too.
I'm having a very good time with my host, seeing things here from the perspective of someone local.
-Lisa
Arusha, Tanzania, Africa
I arrived in Tanzania safely! Joseph picked me up and has been very helpful since then, helping me make many many connections and figure out some accommodations, etc. We have been trying to figure out where is the best place to work and with whom (and where to stay for a month). Affordable hotels for me do not have internet, hence, I've either been mooching off nearby houses in his friend's grandfather's hotel restaurant (haha), and some Internet cafes but its not always reliable there (my first cafe, we had a blackout), second cafe, its temporarily not working. I think the potential centers may have internet, but I'll see on Monday and Tuesday. Just a note to all, I'm 8 hours ahead. Hence 9AM is 5PM and so forth. Joseph may be able
to help me find internet for my little laptop with camera for skype somewhere on Tuesday. This wireless I'm mooching off is too slow for that.
....
I met Shaibu and Joseph met with Bernard for me when I was figuring out my first hotel... They really really want to help us out (talented technicians). We are meeting with them Sunday afternoon. They work at the bicycle workshop in the Vijana Center, but they can
contribute to the design and future fabrication of the Geuza. We will figure out more details of their relation tomorrow. They are coming to Ghana too.
I'm having a very good time with my host, seeing things here from the perspective of someone local.
-Lisa
Arusha, Tanzania, Africa
Leaving for Tanzania today!
Our teammate Lisa will be traveling to Africa today and arriving in Tanzania. She will be doing some in-house manufacturing of our prototypes and setting up our supply chain and distribution channels. Basically, her efforts will help us pave the way for this fall when our founder Jodie will be in Africa full time.
Wish her (and all of the GCS team) good luck!
-Alex
Boston, MA USA
Wish her (and all of the GCS team) good luck!
-Alex
Boston, MA USA
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