Renewable Energy Project (REP) (Rusape General Hospital Maternity Ward)

FACE Zim supported the solar energy project at Rusape General Hospital with the support of Octopus which was initiated by Engineers Without Boarders Sweden. Frequent electricity power cuts interrupted a number of processes on the hospital which sometimes compromised birth processes and the health of the pregnant mothers. After a discussion with the hospital administration, the organization therefore initiated a solar project that was installed at the maternity ward of the hospital. Volunteers from the community, the hospital and the organization were trained on solar energy (installation and maintenance of the system). The project was successful and the community appreciated the initiative. The REP project was later backed by with the nutrition garden project at the hospital which was also supported by Octopus and Engineers without Boarders. Currently the hospital is getting enough vegetables to feed the patients. The organization is therefore planning to replicate the same project to other health institutions since the one at Rusape General Hospital was a success. With funds permitting, the nutrition garden is to be improved embracing the agroecology model where fish ponds and an orchard should be placed in the garden so that the patients will have a balanced diet.