July 14, 2005
Buying materials in the local market in Bamako for the solar panel workshop
Dr. Komp, Carolina Barreto Cajina and I went through the local Malian market and purchased several materials needed for the project (e.g., wire/cable, breakers, wire clamps, circuit breakers, extension cords for soldering irons, silicon, and duct tape). Purchasing of materials on the local market with the Malians from Ji Duma is imperative to ensuring the project is sustainable. In the future, only solar cells should be imported. As a result of the market trip, the Malians from Ji Duma and the new micro-enterprise who are being trained will know how to find the materials needed on the local market.