Project Description:

Seven health clinics in Rwanda’s Ruli District serve the needs of 120,000 community members.  These clinics provide both in-patient and out-patient care for people who cannot make the 2-3 hour walk to the main hospital.  Two of the seven clinics are connected to the grid; three have some electricity via solar panels; two have no electricity.  The clinics provide HIV medication to thousands of patients, but each clinic needs some access to electricity in order to distribute that medication.  The Ihangane Project is coordinating the effort to refurbish the solar panel installation of three clinics and outfit the two remaining clinics with a new panel installation that will provide for their present and future power needs.

Catapult’s role in the project is to ensure each health center receives an adequate, affordable, and reliable PV system.  This includes understanding and assessing the current and future needs of the clinics, assisting The Ihangane Project with vetting local vendors, accounting for a proper maintenance and training program for clinic staff, and helping oversee the panel installation.

In August 2009, Catapult and The Ihangane Project performed an energy assessment of the Nyange Health Clinic, the first clinic we will focus on for electrification.  In December 2009, SELF joined the project to lead the PV procurement, installation, and on-going system and load maintenance to ensure PV longevity.  After system installation (projected Summer 2010), the system will be monitored and evaluated for two years under the guidance of SELF’s on-the-ground technician, Jerome Uwimana.

The Ihangane Project program needs on-going support.  If you would like to see health clinics and nurses receive the electricity they need to do their jobs, support The Ihangane Project.

Download the full project brief here: The Ihangane Project Solar Project Brief

Client: The Ihangane Project, Nyange, Rwanda

The Ihangane Project currently focuses its efforts in the Northern Province of Rwanda, and is working with medical professionals and women’s groups to support programs proposed by local people to bridge the gaps in their communities’ HIV prevention, education and treatment programs.

Partner:  SELF (Solar Electric Light Fund)

The Solar Electric Light Fund (SELF) is fighting climate change and global poverty with solar power.  Their mission:  provide solar power and wireless communications to a quarter of the world’s population living in energy poverty.

Catapult Project Manager:

Heather Fleming

Project BLOG:

Follow the latest Ihangange Project Solar Panel developments on our blog.

Notes from the Field:  Health Clinics in Rwanda
Update from the Field:  Life in Ruli, Rwanda
The Value of the Unexpected
Technology, Aid and Community in Rwanda (Pop!Tech Blog)

Project Photos + Video:

Check out our photos and video from the installation in Rwanda on our Picasa and YouTube Channel.

Photos:   August 2009, Energy Assessment in Nyange, Rwanda
Photos:  September 2009, Installation of WE CARE Solar system in Minazi, Rwanda
Video:  September 2009, Installation of solar at the Minazi Health Post