Our 6 volunteers Luc J., Christian T., David V., Cédric B., Frank A. and Pawel J. equipped no less than 12 buildings with solar power in 7 days in Kikwit.
To complete this mission, our 6 volunteers were divided into 2 groups, 2 in charge of the St François-Xavier Health Center and the Community House for the Sisters of Mary in Kwango (3 buildings), the other 4 in charge of the Sacré-Coeur Health Center (5 buildings) and Muvuma (2 buildings) for the Sisters of Saint-André.
After almost a day’s drive to cover the 550 km between Kikwit and Kinshasa, our volunteers received a warm welcome and were able to sample local dishes and even caterpillars ;-).
The very next morning, the two teams got down to work, organizing their actions in agreement with the medical staff so as to cause as little disruption as possible to their activities.
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The concrete walls of the Sacré-Coeur Health Centre, built long before independence, gave our volunteers a few problems, putting the drills and bits to the test. Fortunately, given the scale of the work, they were able to count on the help of students from the ITPK (technical school in Kikwit) and the guidance of their teachers. At the St François-Xavier Center, the 2 volunteers also had the help of two electricians (father and son).
In addition to exchanging best practices, sharing skills being an essential value for our association, the many discussions and exchanges on life in the Congo, education, politics, etc., were rich in learning for all.
Equipment: JNL Solar 320 Wp photovoltaic panels,
Pylontech Lithium 48 V – 50 Ah batteries
and hybrid inverter WKS Evo Circle 5.6 kVA – 48 V
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Before heading home, the team took the opportunity to drop in at the Community house for the Sisters of Saint-André in Righini (a district of Kinshasa) to replace the power board of a burnt-out inverter, received free of charge from our supplier Watt-U-Need.
Electrical autonomy in health centers naturally improves working conditions for all medical staff, as well as patient care!
Huge thanks to our 6 volunteers and project manager Michel M. assisted by José B. for their commitment and determination to carry out these magnificent projects, despite the many obstacles and delays they encountered.
