Tuesday

Tuesday

Today we drove from Bujumbura to Kibuye by way of the Sister Connection project near Gitega.  Our purpose for stopping there was to install a Communication Package onto the Inverter System there, so that we can monitor it from the USA, and when needed, make changes in settings.  The system was installed in February 2016 and we had limited access to it until now.  The install went well and we snapped a photo of those in our present group who had been there for the original installation.

We then proceeded to Kibuye Hospital, arriving around 1PM.  We immediately went to the Cafeteria and had lunch.  After lunch we got ourselves settled into the rooms where we will stay for the duration of the project.  We then took a walk around the entire complex, looking at the scope of work ahead of us.  We looked at the Solar Structure, as well as the PowerPac itself.  Some minor floor damage had been done to it in setting it into place, but otherwise everything appears to be exactly as it was when it left Montoursville.

Tomorrow we will split up and begin lying out the work week.  We hope to have the batteries all installed, and the generator connected before the next team arrives next Tuesday.

Internet is very spotty here and we may not be able to post on the blog every day.  But do know that we are safely here, and we are beginning to work on the project. 

Another thing about our stay here:  due to the elevation, even though we are only a few degrees from the Equator, the nighttime temperatures are very chilly.  For the first time since early Spring back in the US, I had to sleep under all of the covers and the blanket to stay warm.  It seems the temperatures at night here can dip into the 40’s-F.  It is very cloudy this morning as I write this, but we are in dry season here and likely will not see rain any time we are here.