Paul, Nick, Andrew and Isaac have been working in Lwamba for a month now, setting up the hardware and electronics for the hydro-electric system which CAM International sent out to help the hospital which serves the population of Lwamba and its surrounding villages in the Katanga province of DRC.
How does this system work? There is a stream which flows downhill near to the hospital. Before the water flows down the hill, it has potential energy because of its height. The new hydroelectric system converts this potential energy into kinetic energy in a turbine, which drives a generator to produce electricity.
Last week they were ready to do a trial run and were thrilled when the lights came on for the first time in years! Needless to say, everyone was VERY excited.
But the work isn’t finished yet. They are now running cable to the hospital wards and departments so that the lights can shine there too. In addition to this, the team is trying to finish off the tiling of the new hospital block which Paul Stephenson started last year. They would love to leave with the work completed. As they labour, they are keeping their eyes on the rains which have arrived early this year. There is still much work to do but their return to Lubumbashi for their flight to UK on 27 October depends on the state of the roads which become impassable during the rainy season.
We are very thankful to Christian Engineers in Development (CED) for their input into the design of this system. The project has become a real team effort – engineers, builders, electricians, technicians, volunteers, and donors … all working together with God’s help to light up the lives of so many.
