Start of DEP III

Thanks to a grant of £20,000 from the Isle of Man Development Fund and other smaller grants from the Kitchen Table Trust, Alexi Marmot Associates, Bill Bordass Associates, the Just Trust and the generous sponsorship of Matt Easter’s sister’s wedding and Charlotte’s running of the marathon - we have launched the third phase of the Domestic Energy Programme (DEP III).

During this phase STT will work in 10-12 villages and help community stove builders, community workers and schools to deliver between 3,500-4000 energy efficient rocket stoves; establish about 20 nurseries and plant around 100,000 mychorizza inoculated tree seeds.

The launch in November 2007, held at Membe, after a week of rain was blessed with blue skies and sunshine. Lesley, Sheilah and Justin were up at the crack of dawn to get things started in Membe – nearly a 2 hour drive, on rutted and muddy roads, from Dodoma. By the time Victoria and Anna arrived with their crew of beleaguered government officials the scene was set. The bright yellow STT banner was flying surrounded by hundreds of balloons. The 20 Membe stove builders, dressed in their bright yellow shirts rushed about carrying, organizing, preparing food, and greeting the esteemed guests – chief of whom were Mrs Orota, Senior Regional Technical Officer, representing the Regional Administrative Secretary and Mrs Pasinipanofu, representative of the Director of Chamwino District, as well as various other District, Divisonal, Ward and Village leaders.  

Sadly, the audience was missing. The launch was all dressed up with nowhere to go….. until the dancers started. The Membe dance group clad in animal furs, bells, drums and whistles made sure that the party got started. Like a small miracle people emerged from nowhere and settled in the shade of the trees around the school.

The Village Executive Officer and Chairman started proceedings. After the introductions were completed the dance group entertained everyone again until it was Sheila’s turn to speak. Justin acted as translator and her speech went down well. All the speeches by the honoured guest (which were begun with the obligatory ‘Membe Hoy!’ and raised fists) were inspirational and informed. The dance group followed with songs relating to the stoves, the environment and the stove builders in Membe which helped to really hammer the message home. The dancing and singing was superb and inspirational. Throughout the proceedings a group of yellow-shirted experts were building a stove.

After the speeches everyone moved to the house of Filimoni (STT’s stove monitor in Membe) and proud owner of the first stove built in Membe to see a stove in action. Many questions were asked and answered enthusiastically by the builders. During the course of the day government officials from Chamwino village were so enthused by the stoves that they asked STT to work next in their village.

The day finished with a meal during which Sheilah confirmed that the next village that STT would work in would be Chamwino to much applause and finished with the obligatory ‘Chamwino Hoy!’

A truly memorial day which augers well for DEP III.