January 19, 2024. Karibu tene: Welcome again and again! These are the words I crave to hear – in person, face-to-face as I venture forth enroute to Karagwe, Tanzania. This is ETI’s first visit since 2020 when the EVS Solar Design team (MN) and BE Design (NY) participated in the ETI/KAD Summit. Since then, COVID became a household word and for a variety of reasons related to the pandemic, ETI’s yearly visits were postponed. Communications and planning took place over WhatsApp, email and Zoom. But today, our journey for an in-person visit begins.
I travel solo to Uganda this time but meet up with our amazing partners at the Mutukula border (Uganda and Tanzania). I won’t go into the myriad logistics but will send a photo or two along the way. Once in Karagwe, our final destination, ETI is in the hands of our partners, the Karagwe Diocese of the Evangelical Lutheran Church. Our partners have done back-flips planning the ETI/KAD Summit. Joining us will be BE Design, aka Bruce Engel, the NY architect who has created the master architectural plan for the juice processing plant. Bruce is bringing some staff members who work with him in Rwanda. So anticipate a group photo of all of these great folks, one of whom may look as though she’s traveled for 3 days nonstop and could use some architectural transformation herself (that would be me). But I digress.
ETI/KAD SUMMIT GOALS
- JUICE PROCESSING PLANT: Top Priority.
- Align all parties involved & set timeline for construction & ceremonial date.
- KARUCO:
- Review KARUCO progress. Tour KARUCO including KARUCO Solar & Storage.
- Review plans for expansion
- MEL PROGRAM
- Meet and interview MEL Program recipients and mentors.
- Share photos of these great smiles!
- Review plans for expansion
Importantly, we will reconnect with our partners and friends in Karagwe, build trust through shared stories of the professional and personal successes and challenges of life. Can’t wait!! Thank you for joining us.
Today’s Agenda: Fly to Amsterdam.
Tomorrow: Check in as I head to Entebbe, Uganda (Kampala).
Happy trails Jan! (I accidentally mixed up the “a” and “i” while typing and it spells trials, not trails so I quickly corrected it) . Love seeing and hearing about the advancements and hard work put in all around. Great things are happening and great things to look forward to!!!
Thanks Lynn. You’ve been part of the story since the beginning and you’ve had a front row seat to the collaborative “hard work” you refer to. Thanks for your support.
Safe travels to everyone attending the Summit. We cannot wait to hear the results of this intelligent, thoughtful and caring team!!