Life in Dhawa

Believe it or not, I am writing this post from the school in Dhawa! The solar system is almost ready and I have managed to sneak some AC~230V to power my laptop and the satellite data key. It seems almost unbelievable! There is no water supply, no roads but we have (clean) power and internet connection!! The last couple of weeks our working patterns have been a bit exhaustive; waking up at 6.30am, start working at school at 7am. Carpenter, the builder and the solar technicians are already there while the kids start arriving at 9 for the 10am assembly. The weather after that gets really hot and only indoor work is possible! At the end of the day, shower at the local tap, food and sleep at 10pm!!


Tomorrow we start the interconnection link between the two buildings. This is one of the most challenging tasks of this project. 20 poles need to be erected between the rice fields to connect with power the old and the new building! We have already taken measurements and identified locations. We need to dig holes and install the wooden poles. All these in 40oC heat and no cold water or drinks! Works are well undergoing though and soon we will have all solar installations completed!

  Dhawa_Works undergoing

Dhawa_Works undergoing2

Dhawa_Power regulation equipment

Dhawa_Autofocus at the school roof

Dhawa_Inauguration of first power device by headteacher

Working and living with the Newaris is just an amazing experience! People here in the village are so simple and authentic with no influence from the media or the ‘outside’ world whatsoever. They are amazingly adapted to their natural surroundings and they live a hard everyday life. However, they are all happy, welcoming and always with a smile! The children are all so energetic! I think I can communicate better with them rather than the adults even if the only thing they say is “Hello, how are you, where are you going?” Oh, and “what’s your name”! Classes are taking place as we work in the school so we are engaged with them on an every day basis! I am aiming to deliver some seminars next week to the older classes regarding solar energy!

Dhawa boyz

Dhawa_Class 2-always happy students

Dhawa_Babu enjoys his rice

Dhawa_Somita posing

Dhawa_Sarsati posing

Things here are not easy. Comfort is a word never heard here! Beds have no mattresses; houses have no chairs or tables, no electricity, no fridge, no air conditioning or fans. Food is basic and cooked in stoves with ingredients only sourced locally. Rice and lentils (dhal bhat) is eaten every day while in exceptional circumstances some goat meat is on offer. Today Susma (Giri’s daughter) had her birthday so we had rice pudding!! The best treat you can get after a long day working is a warm Tuborg beer(!) or biscuits from the local shop. Dhawa is not a fancy village with facilities for foreigners and such. We are isolated, with a day trip minimum to reach civilisation! Working here is a great challenge and I love it! We are now close to complete all solar works and then there will be a big party with all those involved, workers, students and the villagers! I can’t wait!

Dhawa_Over the clouds

Dhawa_Manaslu on the background

Dhawa_Village life

Dhawa_Village life2

Dhawa_Didi the best cook in the hood

Dhawa_Haircut on the go

I haven’t uploaded too many photographs; my speed here is very slow! Still, I’m happy I have managed to upload this post today…

I hope you are all doing well, wherever you are whatever you do! The summer is here and the sun is shining!  (and Greece won their first ever game on World Cup finals against Nigeria y’day!)



Got 2 go now, the technicians are calling me!



Best wishes to all



Nektarios~