– Built for Isgargaro Women’s Group, not for decoration, but for doing.

We didn’t come to Loglogo to pose for photos. We came to install a solar dryer that works. For real. For women who are done with waiting for someone else to solve things. The Isgargaro Women’s Group — they weren’t looking for charity. They were looking for tools.

So we got the dryer up. Good orientation. Strong frame. Covered against wind and rogue rain. Everything in place.

But here’s something most folks don’t talk about: what happens after the install?
The ribbon-cutting part is easy. What about three weeks in, when the trays start to stain and the plastic warps under heat?

Wait—do these things need maintenance?

Short answer: yeah, they do.
Long answer: they should — unless you’re okay with rot, warping, rust, and flies setting up shop.

Let’s break it down. Because no one wants a good dryer turning into a bird house.

• Cleaning:
  That mesh you dry cassava on? It collects everything. Dust, plant juices, little pebbles, whatever the wind brings. Clean it daily. Weekly at worst. Use soap and water, not petrol and gossip.

• Trays:
  Don’t overload them. It’s not a matatu. Spread evenly, avoid stacking, rotate the product. Trays should be pulled out and wiped — especially the ones closest to the door, where insects love to sneak in.

• Covering sheets:
  Polycarbonate or UV plastic — whatever’s used — needs watching. Cracks? Replace. Sagging? Tighten. Birds landed on top? Shoo them off and check for droppings.

• Doors & airflow:
  Open during the day, close at night. Basic stuff. But easy to forget. Poor airflow = moisture buildup = spoilage = wasted work.

• Structural checks:
  After every heavy wind or unexpected visitor (goats, kids, sandstorms), walk around the dryer. Look. Tap. Listen. You’ll know if something’s off.

• Training and rotation:
  It’s not just one woman’s job. Everyone in the group should know how it runs. What to do. What not to do. Make a little rota. Keep it light. Keep it going.

This isn’t just a dryer, and these aren’t just instructions. This is about making sure that what we build lives longer than a donor report. If it breaks and no one fixes it, then what’s the point?

Maintenance isn’t a side note — it’s the lifeline.

The Isgargaro women know that. They’re on it. And that’s why this dryer will serve them for years, not months.