{"id":4156,"date":"2022-12-30T23:41:45","date_gmt":"2022-12-30T21:41:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/solareyesinternational.com\/?p=4156"},"modified":"2023-01-08T21:12:53","modified_gmt":"2023-01-08T19:12:53","slug":"we-care-solar-1000-solar-suitcase-installations-milestone-zimbabwe","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/solareyesinternational.com\/we-care-solar-1000-solar-suitcase-installations-milestone-zimbabwe\/","title":{"rendered":"WE CARE SOLAR \u2013 1000+ Solar Suitcase Installations Milestone Reached in Zimbabwe"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_64 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title \" >Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/solareyesinternational.com\/we-care-solar-1000-solar-suitcase-installations-milestone-zimbabwe\/#First_encounter_with_the_Solar_Suitcase_powered_maternity_clinic_%E2%80%93_impactful_experience\" title=\"First encounter with the Solar Suitcase powered maternity clinic \u2013 impactful experience\">First encounter with the Solar Suitcase powered maternity clinic \u2013 impactful experience<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/solareyesinternational.com\/we-care-solar-1000-solar-suitcase-installations-milestone-zimbabwe\/#Light_Every_Birth_%E2%80%93_We_Care_Solars_approach_for_powering_health_facilities_and_saving_lives\" title=\"Light Every Birth \u2013 We Care Solar\u2019s approach for powering health facilities and saving lives\">Light Every Birth \u2013 We Care Solar\u2019s approach for powering health facilities and saving lives<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/solareyesinternational.com\/we-care-solar-1000-solar-suitcase-installations-milestone-zimbabwe\/#User_Experience_Feedback_for_We_Care_Solars_Solar_Suitcase\" title=\"User Experience Feedback for We Care Solar\u2019s Solar Suitcase\">User Experience Feedback for We Care Solar\u2019s Solar Suitcase<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/solareyesinternational.com\/we-care-solar-1000-solar-suitcase-installations-milestone-zimbabwe\/#Light_Every_Birth_campaign_by_We_Care_Solar\" title=\"Light Every Birth campaign by We Care Solar\">Light Every Birth campaign by We Care Solar<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/solareyesinternational.com\/we-care-solar-1000-solar-suitcase-installations-milestone-zimbabwe\/#What_you_need_to_know_about_We_Care_Solar\" title=\"What you need to know about We Care Solar\">What you need to know about We Care Solar<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/solareyesinternational.com\/we-care-solar-1000-solar-suitcase-installations-milestone-zimbabwe\/#We_Care_Solars_global_award_for_the_Light_Every_Birth_Project\" title=\"We Care Solar&#8217;s global award for the Light Every Birth Project\">We Care Solar&#8217;s global award for the Light Every Birth Project<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/solareyesinternational.com\/we-care-solar-1000-solar-suitcase-installations-milestone-zimbabwe\/#Follow_SolarEyes_International_on_Social_Media\" title=\"Follow SolarEyes International on Social Media\">Follow SolarEyes International on Social Media<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"First_encounter_with_the_Solar_Suitcase_powered_maternity_clinic_%E2%80%93_impactful_experience\"><\/span>First encounter with the Solar Suitcase powered maternity clinic \u2013 impactful experience<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>While Agnes Mazhindu was in early labor, her midwives allowed her to listen to her baby\u2019s heartbeat using a gadget she had never seen before in her life: a fetal Doppler.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img data-dominant-color=\"786d59\" data-has-transparency=\"true\" style=\"--dominant-color: #786d59;\" loading=\"lazy\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/solareyesinternational.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/We-Care-Solar-Doppler-1024x683.png\" alt=\"We Care Solar\" class=\"has-transparency wp-image-4168\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Doppler being used to listen for the fetal heartbeat, Solar Suitcase in background. image credit @We Care Solar<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cListen,\u201d her midwife told her, \u201cYour baby is alive; this is his heartbeat.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Agnes could not fully describe how wonderful she felt hearing her baby\u2019s heartbeat for the first time. After a prolonged labor, she had begun to worry if the baby was still alive. Agnes didn\u2019t need to use the candles she had packed in her bag. At 9 pm, she delivered under the lights of a Solar Suitcase, sustaining a laceration that needed repair. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As her nurse carefully placed the stitches, Agnes heard her say \u201cwedzera brightness\u201d meaning \u2018increase brightness.\u2019 Agnes marveled that the brightness could be adjusted. After the delivery, the lights remained on throughout the entire night in the maternity ward, helping Agnes as she learned to breastfeed and care for her newborn.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cI was actually sad upon discharge as I knew I was going back to darkness and use of candles at home, after having been used to lights at the clinic.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Until recently, having continuous lighting for childbirth in Zimbabwe was not assured. Most health facilities in the country had sporadic or no power. Mothers were routinely told to pack candles as part of their birthing kits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>The issue of candles was a nightmare for us women here. You could have no money to an extent of not affording to bring a candle for delivery. For some women, just thinking about going to the clinic without a candle is enough to deter them from going. Imagine delivering at night without bringing a source of light to be used during delivery. One would feel as if they are being a bother to the health staff, and yet due to poverty, one genuinely cannot afford to bring a candle.<\/p>\n<cite>Witness testifying to the lack of energy access in hospitals<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Light_Every_Birth_%E2%80%93_We_Care_Solars_approach_for_powering_health_facilities_and_saving_lives\"><\/span>Light Every Birth \u2013 We Care Solar\u2019s approach for powering health facilities and saving lives<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The situation changed when <a href=\"https:\/\/wecaresolar.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">We Care Solar<\/a> implemented a national solar energy program in Zimbabwe to \u201cLight Every Birth.\u201d We Care Solar is a U.S. based nonprofit organization dedicated to ensuring every woman can deliver safely in a health facility equipped with power.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Thanks to a compact, rugged solar electric kit called a \u201cSolar Suitcase,\u201d around-the-clock lights and electricity are assured. \u201cThere is nothing to fear at the clinic anymore,\u201d exclaims Agnes. \u201cWhatever time of night you go to the clinic, there will be lights.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>***&nbsp;<em>CHECK:<\/em><\/strong>&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/solareyesinternational.com\/what-is-a-solar-home-system-shs\/\">WHAT IS A SOLAR HOME SYSTEM (SHS) \u2013 7 treasure things to know<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>We Care Solar Suitcases include solar panels, a charge controller, and a lithium battery. Most important, they are packed with medical-surgical lighting, a fetal Doppler, rechargeable headlamps, an infrared thermometer, and outlets to power cell phones and other devices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For a clinic without reliable electricity, a Solar Suitcase can be transformative, enabling patients to receive immediate, around-the-clock care.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"User_Experience_Feedback_for_We_Care_Solars_Solar_Suitcase\"><\/span>User Experience Feedback for We Care Solar\u2019s Solar Suitcase<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>A midwife from Nyanga Hospital, Mr. Nyakwangwa, describes his experience after the Solar Suitcase was installed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cThe quality of care during and after has definitely improved. Post-partum hemorrhages have reduced because we can easily detect any trickling or bleeding. Ever since the installation of the Solar Suitcase at this hospital, I feel very motivated and competent to work at night. Even during emergency obstetric complications, I feel more at ease, thanks to the availability of bright light.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cBecause we now have the Solar Suitcase and provide better case management, our referrals to bigger facilities have reduced and our deliveries have increased. Before the suitcase we had on average 120-130 deliveries per month, but since the Solar Suitcase was installed, we now deliver an average of over 160 babies a month!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Light_Every_Birth_campaign_by_We_Care_Solar\"><\/span>Light Every Birth campaign by We Care Solar<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Due to its high rate of maternal mortality and challenges with electricity, Zimbabwe is one of first four countries that We Care Solar targeted for its Light Every Birth campaign.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>According to the World Bank, Zimbabwe had an estimated maternal mortality ratio of 458 maternal deaths per 100,000 live births in 2017, well above the Sustainable Development Goal target of 70 per 100,000. Women face a lifetime risk of dying in childbirth of 1 in 52. Of the 1,500 babies born each day, approximately 35 will die before reaching their first month.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img data-dominant-color=\"100d0a\" data-has-transparency=\"true\" style=\"--dominant-color: #100d0a;\" loading=\"lazy\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"761\" src=\"https:\/\/solareyesinternational.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/We-Care-Solar-Delivery-in-Candlelight-1024x761.png\" alt=\"We Care Solar\" class=\"has-transparency wp-image-4164\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Delivery in Candlelight. Image credit @We Care solar<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>In 2020, the World Bank estimated that only 37.1% of the rural population had access to electricity. Prolonged drought in Zimbabwe depleted the country\u2019s supply of hydroelectricity. Severe power cuts due to drought have worsened the challenging electricity situation for health centers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/solareyesinternational.com\/living-under-the-grid-in-zimbabwe\/\">LIVING UNDER THE GRID IN ZIMBABWE \u2013 little known facts about this catastrophe<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>We Care Solar identified more than 1,000 health facilities lacking reliable power in Zimbabwe. Clinics relied on candles or kerosene lanterns that offer inadequate illumination for medical procedures, emit smoke with deleterious health effects, and increase the risk of fire and injury.<br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Midwives described the challenge of trying to provide life-saving care in un-electrified health facilities, as well as safety concerns of working in near-darkness. At night, medical complications could go undetected, lacerations could not be sutured, critical procedures were delayed until morning, and newborns could not be assessed for birth defects or asphyxia. The consequences were tragic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Having reliable solar lighting dramatically improves working conditions, increases the confidence of health workers, and typically reducing attrition of staff. Mothers are more likely to come for skilled care, complications are reduced, lives are saved, and entire communities are uplifted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/solareyesinternational.com\/why-solar-energy-reasons-to-go-solar\/\">WHY SOLAR ENERGY? \u2013 10 reasons to go solar<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>We Care Solar worked with the Ministry of Health and Childcare to identify health facilities in need throughout the country. Facilities were selected for this program based on three criteria: <\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol>\n<li>availability of maternal and child health services; <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>baseline electrification status; and <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>structural suitability of the facility for a solar installation. <\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p>Along with the installation of 1,130 Solar Suitcases, We Care Solar trained district technicians on the operation and maintenance of the solar devices, and is working with the government on long-term sustainability of the program.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img data-dominant-color=\"665e4e\" data-has-transparency=\"true\" style=\"--dominant-color: #665e4e;\" loading=\"lazy\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/solareyesinternational.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/We-Care-Solar-Solar-Suitcase-light.png\" alt=\"We Care Solar\" class=\"has-transparency wp-image-4167\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Solar Suitcase light in Kambarami Clinic. image credit @We Care Solar<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>In December 2022, We Care Solar completed its goal of reaching 1,100 primary health facilities with clean, renewable energy, driven by the belief that no woman should die giving life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/solareyesinternational.com\/10-challenges-of-solar-companies-in-developing-countries\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">12 CHALLENGES FACED BY SOLAR COMPANIES IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_you_need_to_know_about_We_Care_Solar\"><\/span>What you need to know about We Care Solar<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>We Care Solar works at the intersection of Sustainable Development Goals for energy access, health, climate action, education, and gender equity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Globally, nearly 300,000 women and over 1 million newborns die from complications of childbirth each year. At the same time, 59% of health facilities in low and middle-income countries lack reliable electricity (Cronk, 2018), despite the fact that electricity is \u201ca critical enabler of universal access to healthcare and universal health coverage\u201d (WHO, 2015).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>We Care Solar\u2019s Light Every Birth initiative champions clean energy for safe childbirth at the national level\u2014showing the feasibility of reaching every public health facility in need.<br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Supported by grants and individual donations, this non-profit organization has reached more than 7,600 health centers with its clean energy programs, trained 32,000 health workers and solar installers, and averted 80,000 tons of CO2\u2014enabling safer childbirth for more than 11.8 million mothers and newborns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"We_Care_Solars_global_award_for_the_Light_Every_Birth_Project\"><\/span>We Care Solar&#8217;s global award for the Light Every Birth Project<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Among other awards, We Care Solar has won the 2021 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.energyglobe.info\/international\/finalist\/2021\/we-care-solar\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">National Energy Globe Award<\/a> for their Light Every Birth program in Zimbabwe. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-small-font-size\">Article by Laura Stachel, MD DrPH<br>Executive Director and Co-Founder, We Care Solar, https:\/\/wecaresolar.org\/<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Follow_SolarEyes_International_on_Social_Media\"><\/span>Follow SolarEyes International on Social Media<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/company\/solareyes-international\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><mark>LINKEDIN<\/mark><\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/SolarEyesInt\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><mark>FACEBOOK<\/mark><\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/chat.whatsapp.com\/DHW1j56Od7iDzzmwwaTWE7\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">WHATSAPP<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/t.me\/+Y5UixY8F8uk0YjM0\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><mark>TELEGRAM GROUP<\/mark><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>*** ALSO CHECK:<\/em>&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/solareyesinternational.com\/abbreviations-in-solar-energy-sector\/\">ABBREVIATIONS IN THE SOLAR ENERGY SECTOR<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p> We Care Solar implemented a national solar energy program in Zimbabwe to \u201cLight Every Birth\u201d which saw more than 1000 installations in the country. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":4161,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[317,103,104,316,315,98],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/solareyesinternational.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/We-Care-Solar-1.png","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/solareyesinternational.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4156"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/solareyesinternational.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/solareyesinternational.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/solareyesinternational.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/solareyesinternational.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4156"}],"version-history":[{"count":12,"href":"https:\/\/solareyesinternational.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4156\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4418,"href":"https:\/\/solareyesinternational.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4156\/revisions\/4418"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/solareyesinternational.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/4161"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/solareyesinternational.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4156"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/solareyesinternational.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=4156"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/solareyesinternational.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=4156"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}