ENERGY AFRICA
A new chapter Armed with this knowledge and experience , Hinks moved forward by focusing on Africa . In 2010 , Symbion bid for a project for the Millennium Challenge Corporation ( MCC ) - a sister organisation to USAID - and was awarded two large contracts in Tanzania to build 2,000 kilometers of distribution lines and 26 transmission and distribution substations .
Once again community outreach was top of the agenda at Symbion . “ In Iraq and Afghanistan we distributed toys and clothes , including soccer kits for the kids , to local communities and we had a great relationship with the indigenous population . We decided to mirror this approach in Tanzania ,” says Hinks .
The company developed its own training school in the region , once again working with Northwest Lineman College . “ We selected three Tanzanians who had some basic line training , to travel to Idaho and receive training that enabled them to teach to U . S . standards . They learned about management and how to be trainers , while they translated training manuals and presentations into Swahili . They worked alongside the U . S . training staff of Northwest Lineman College .”
It was while working in Tanzania that Hinks decided he wanted to diversify the business . “ Instead of being a contractor that gets paid to build electricity infrastructure , I wanted to develop , design , build and operate it and then sell the electricity we
Symbion Power Center , training in Tanzania
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