Knightsbridge Completed Missions

October 2007

Akon,Southern Sudan

Solar Equipment Support

And Assessment for

Solar Electricity to Support the Project:

It all started when Big Kenny, the leader of an extremely popular musical group – Big and Rich - attended a viewing of “Beyond the Call”, a documentary by Adrian Belic about Knightsbridge International, at a film festival in Nashville. Big Kenny liked what he saw, and especially liked the idea that much of what Knightsbridge International is all about, is right in line with his efforts to help as many people as possible in Sudan. It turns out that Big Kenny, was taking a multi-talented group into Sudan to continue his efforts at helping the village of Akon, in Southern Sudan. This was to be a first step for him and the “Love Everybody” campaign that he runs with his wife Christiev. Their plans were to take in many crates of medical supplies, school supplies, construction tools and medicine, along with a group of folks fully capable of documenting the trip so that they could produce materials that would help them raise awareness and funding to take their first efforts to a much higher level.

Big Kenny hadeverything in place, but he had not yet worked out how to keep his group powered up – since the computers, sat phones, and video equipment all needed charging, and the area they were going to was far from any means of electricity. After seeing how Knightsbridge provides its power in the field, Big Kenny contacted Sir Ed Artis, and started discussions which culminated in Walt Ratterman accompanying the group to Southern Sudan.

Delivering Aid and a Documentary Group to Sudan (no small task):

Big Kenny had everything planned, down to the airplane that would fly our group and all of the containers of aid into Akon. We were a dozen people, luggage, and over two dozen large crates of aid. It wasn’t long from our meeting up in New York, that we found ourselves on a chartered plane into the village.

Sir Walt Ratterman setting up solar equipment

The group carried with them a video camera, sound equipment,

still cameras, computers, and satellite antennae.

All of this equipment had to be powered. Walt brought along the equipment to do this.

This consisted of several fold-up solar panels, charge controllers, quick-connect cables,

and all of the miscellaneous equipment required to build the system quickly. Everything worked just fine.

Big Kenny using solar powered Sat phone

Project Wrap-Up:

After the trip to the site that saw our plane lose an engine cover, everything else was a whirlwind, and
went like clockwork. The aid was delivered, connections were made for future planning, footage and
photos were made, and transmitted via satellite to folks back home.
We finished up with Big Kenny and Damien giving a concert for the folks of Akon, who were
hoping that the music and singing would never stop.
As Big Kenny said, “This is only the start – from here we will do really big things.” We now know
far more closely what the needs of the villages are, and how they can be supported by solar energy in
their clinic and other community buildings.
Knightsbridge International and SunEnergy Power International will be there to support whatever
Big Kenny comes up with.