“We would like to introduce you to Mark and Corine Godeschalk. They work from the GZB at the hospital in Lolwa, Congo. Most of the village’s residents are very poor and survive on the yields of their small farms. A large portion of the population belongs to the Pygmy tribe and lives in the forest. SamSam supports their project.
The hospital in Lolwa used to be part of a mission station of the Communauté Emmanuel, but after the turbulent political change in 1996, it fell into disrepair. Mark and Corine Godeschalk have been working as missionaries for the GZB at this hospital since August 2019. The hospital serves a population of around 80,000 people and is crucial for the local community. However, the hospital has limited access to essential electricity. The GZB has asked SamSam to provide the hospital with a solar energy system.
Many people in Lolwa live in poverty, lack access to running water or electricity, and children can barely attend school. Malnutrition is widespread, and due to the insecurity in the region, many people have fled multiple times, putting immense pressure on healthcare. Without a properly functioning hospital, residents are inclined to seek help from local traditional healers, with potentially harmful consequences.”
“In August 2019, Mark and Corine Godeschalk, along with their family, moved to Lolwa to support and help develop the hospital after working at the Nyankunde hospital since 2018. Prior to that, they worked for two years at a small hospital in Cyangugu, Rwanda. Mark is a tropical doctor and works alongside two other doctors and several nurses, while Corine is a biomedical engineer who contributes to projects and also provides homeschooling for their three children: Thijmen, Aron, and Aimée. Mark and Corine operate under the GZB, which maintains good contact with local partners and facilitates the connection with the home front.
Limited access to life-saving electricity
Adequate energy supply, enabling the hospital to use electricity 24/7, is essential for lighting, life-saving equipment, treatments and diagnoses, and functioning communication tools. Until recently, the hospital had limited access to electricity because there was no general electricity grid, and they could only use a small solar system for the refrigerator and a polluting diesel generator to provide power to the hospital in the evenings.
Given the significant shortcomings resulting from this lack of energy, Mark and Corine requested assistance from the GZB for a solar energy system that could continuously provide power. Solar energy is the most logical energy source in Congo, given its location near the equator, which ensures abundant and strong sunlight. According to Jaap Haasnoot, GZB Regional Coordinator, a new improved power supply can save lives and is also an essential requirement for the further development of the Lolwa hospital.”
“What does SamSam’s solar energy system provide?
In 2020, at the request of the GZB, SamSam decided to provide the hospital in Lolwa with a new solar energy system. This choice was made because a reliable power supply is the foundation for the hospital’s performance and capabilities. The GZB has proven to be a highly reliable regional partner in facilitating this project. The installation of the solar system, including a battery for storing electricity, cost €20,000 and was made possible 100% by SamSam.”
In addition to financial support, assistance was provided in monitoring and supervising the installation. Thanks to this new solar energy system:
- The hospital now has access to power 24/7 without a polluting diesel generator;
- Oxygen concentrators can be used to assist patients with breathing difficulties. Especially in the current times with
the coronavirus, this is of great value to the region; - The equipment in the operating room can be used;
- Laptops, phones, and walkie-talkies can be charged;
- In the future, an X-ray machine and an ultrasound machine will be acquired.
Would you like to follow the important work of Mark and Corine in Lolwa? You can do so! Through their Facebook channel: Zorg in Congo and through Instagram and their project page on the GZB website: GZB project Lolwa.
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This blog is written by Mirjam Ordelman, owner of Oak and Blush.