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 Loriana
Dembele, Italian Consul to Mali, is the president and founder of
the non-governmental organization Ji Duma. Ji Duma has been working in Mali
for 20 years, bringing over 150 wells to Malian villages. She has an impeccable
reputation, due to her extensive experience in Mali and understanding of
it's culture. Of all the development projects she has been involved in,
none have EVER failed. Collaborating with a woman who has such a depth of
local knowledge ensures the success of Practical Small Projects' endeavors.
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Physicist
Dr. Richard Komp of Skyheat Associates has devoted his
life to developing affordable solar technologies. Dr. Komp taught the
solar workshops along with Carolina Barreto Cajina, a 24 year old Nicaraguan
engineer considered a world leader in her field of solar irrigation.
Afriq-Power
is a Malian company created by Practical Small Projects as part of the
initiative to support local enterprise. As there were no locally produced
panels available in Mali, Dr. Richard Komp was brought in to train Malians
in solar technology. Afriq-Power is now run by Malians who have found
innovative ways to fabricate solar panels and solar ovens with mostly
local materials at a cost less than imported panels. Practical Small Projects
purchases solar technology from Afriq-Power, who also does the installations.
Having a local company with solar expertise reduces the risk of the solar
panels being rendered unusable when something goes wrong, as is the case
with many solar panels scattered over Africa. Practical Small Projects
is currently seeking seed money to help establish Afriq-Power as a self-sustaining
business.