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young people. As we are living in the technological era, a number of technological advancements have taken place around the globe and Zimbabwe’s teenagers have also taken the initiative to develop and improve some of the existing models in science and technology making them suitable for the local scenarios. Some have made electric motors while others created a multi-purpose remote control which operates all hi-fi items at home. This week Cool Lifestyle Correspondent Munyaradzi Chamalimba (MC) speaks to 16-year-old Allen Chafa (AC), an Ordinary Level student at Kuwadzana High 1, who developed an electrical well model which uses solar energy and has worked on improving it in the past two years.
MC: How are you Allen? Well, can you explain how you conceived the idea of coming up with an electrical well?
AC: Greetings to you and Cool Lifestyle readers. To begin with, it was two years ago after the advent of water shortages across the country and how people especially our grandmothers have to walk long distances in search of water. In this regard I thought of lessening the burden by coming up with a model which will at the press of a button, draw water from the earth.
MC: Interesting! So how is this model powered?
AC: After realising that Zimbabwe is in the tropical savannah, it has a lot of sun that is not fully utilised, I thought of using solar energy which is readily available in all communities. This works as a cost reduction mechanism which makes it possible for people who are in marginalised areas where there is no electricity to enjoy this development.
MC: You said you started working on this model two years ago, meaning that it is work in progress. Other young people might want to understand why you are spending so much time on this project?
AC: Patience is a virtue. I have a dream of becoming an engineer, developing great works for this nation and the globally hence it is my responsibility to put my ideas into action and start working on the vision. This means I have to patiently develop the model to suit the ever changing demands in an environmentally friendly manner and that needs time.
MC: Powerful words, so have you presented your work at any exhibition or competition before?
AC: True, I have entered a number of exhibitions in which I have received a lot of fantastic responses which are the power packs that gives me hope when I want to give up. Last year I scooped the top prize at a provincial science and technology exhibition.
MC: Well done, so what are your future plans regarding the project/model?
AC: I want to develop this further so that the solar panel will automatically shift in the direction of the sun for maximum utilisation of the energy. I also want to expand its use into irrigation and other activities.
MC: How do you balance school and project?
AC: It is just a matter of priority. I study for two hours then work on my project when I have extra time. It is just intelligence mixing with talent so I am safe.
MC: Any words of encouragement to other teenagers?
AC: Determination is key, be open minded and receive criticism from other people for it will help you in constructing ideas that will give birth to great and lasting inventions.
Online Reporter