By Sr. Lorraine Connell, SND

As I write [June 2010], we are in the final stages of the installation of three new photovoltaic systems in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The three sites are the schools and dispensaries at Kitenda, Pelende, and Lemfu. Some of the materials were sent last October, other parts are being purchased through local companies in Kinshasa. All the labor is local with the exception of Louie Casey who is the electrical engineer who has overseen this project for over five years. The materials that were shipped took over seven months to make it all the way through customs and be ready to transport by truck. One truck left Kinshasa last Monday May 31, and arrived in Pelende on Friday. The second truck left Kinshasa last Friday, and should arrive tomorrow, Tuesday the 8th of June. Louie will arrive in Kinshasa on Tuesday as well, and make his way over the roads to the sites of Kitenda and Pelende. Lemfu will be last, as it is the closest to Kinshasa.

If all goes according to plan the three sites will be up and running by the end of July, and we will all be able to watch the readouts of panels, batteries and power uses through our SND website. We will also be able to reach those sisters and colleagues through the internet. In turn the students and staffs of the schools and dispensaries will also be able to reach the world through the internet. The sisters and their colleagues are being trained to install, operate, and maintain the systems as part of the plan to "educate for life."