Thursday marked our “midpoint”: Two eventful days behind us, two more ahead. It was the most exciting day so far for everyone—especially for Tim and Max, whom I’m stepping in for today to write this blog post. After the today’s adventures and impressions, they deserve a bit of rest.
Let’s go step by step: As usual, (Prof.) Alice, the heart and soul of our hosts, who takes care of us with the warmth of a mother, picked us up from the hotel right on time. She brought us to MMUST, where we boarded the university’s (mini)bus for our departure. This type of bus is commonly referred to here as a “Matatu” (a term likely related to “Matata,” judging by its general use in cities and rural areas). However, our bus was far from crowded. Alongside the driver, Eduard, the three of us (aptly called “Matatu” in Swahili 😊), were joined by Alice, Jasper (Head of IT and IoT specialist), Edgar (a reliable agriculture student responsible for maintaining the biogas plant), and Bilal (a master’s student from Nairobi who oversees the biogas plant in his home village of Elwasambi).
It was clear from the start that the day would revolve around the two mini biogas plants donated by the DAAD as part of our project. These plants are a key focus of our current IoT project, which aims at optimizing their processes—even though there have been and still are some more fundamental challenges to address.
Our first stop on the way to Elwasambi was at the unassuming entrance of a well-walled property. After a short wait, the gate opened, and we were greeted by an older gentleman—mid-80s, as we later learned—a former banker and now a self-made farmer. Behind the gates lay an impressive eco-farm featuring three biogas plants of varying sizes, a house with a solar roof, and numerous sustainable initiatives. The tour of the farm was fascinating, and the owner’s energy and expertise were truly inspiring.
From there, we continued westward to Shianda, a larger roadside settlement. A network of gravel roads led us to the “farm” of our host Suleiman, a former master’s student at THB.
For Tim and Max, it was their first visit, and I’d rather let them share their impressions in their own words:
Tim:
“It was far more than just a fleeting first glance at the farm—it was an immersive experience of a harmonious and welcoming atmosphere that engaged all the senses. The cheerful laughter of playing children blended with the melodic chirping of birds, while the sun gently shimmered over the green paradise. The fresh, fragrant air enveloped the scene, making the moment feel almost magical and truly homely.”
Max:
“I was surprised that despite the visibly makeshift construction of the huts along the remote dirt road in the middle of ‘nowhere,’ we came across entirely normal, sturdy houses. Even more remarkable was the warm welcome we received upon arrival. I was especially moved by the cheerful and carefree lifestyle of the residents, particularly the children. For me, it seemed like the perfect place for a happy childhood—a place where kids can play outside all day, laugh, and run through the lush green nature.”
Beyond experiencing the wonderful atmosphere of this place, we also had a practical, project-related goal: to assess the status of the biogas plant brought to the village four years ago. The last time I was here—three years ago—it was either not functioning or not functioning well, and since then, I’d received little to no concrete updates about it. I was all the more surprised by its current state: it had produced a decent amount of gas and appeared to be working well. In the adjacent kitchen, a gas stove was lit (possibly for our benefit?), alongside a wood fire used to heat water. What did this tell us? Tradition still plays a role, and the gas supply isn’t sufficient yet—but it’s progress nonetheless.
After some technical discussions about biogas, we set off to explore the surrounding area. We visited the still-flowing river, next to which stood an old, unused water pump—thankfully unnecessary in recent years due to sufficient rainfall. This, too, was a delightful discovery. Everything aligned with the impressions Tim and Max described above and can be seen in the accompanying photos.
Before sitting down for a hearty meal of chicken with rice and kale, followed by relaxed tea-drinking, we distributed the sweets we had brought to the delighted and grateful children. For them, the sight of “Muzungus” (white men) is still a rare and special occasion.