Maternity clinic reaps the benefits of solar hot water

Submitted by Samson Mhlanga
Published 2 years, 9 months ago

Mother Paula Maternity Clinic is situated in the suburb of Paradise Park in the town of Marondera, near to the capital, Harare. The clinic is operated and managed by the Catholic Nuns of the Congregation of the Missionary Sisters of the Precious Blood, and is named after the co-foundress of the congregation.

From Samson 3

The clinic is the brainchild of Sister Nellie-Auxilia Zakazaka, a Missionary Sister of the Precious Blood, who is a medical doctor specializing in obstetrics and gynecology. After qualifying as a specialist, Sister Zakazaka was given permission to convert an existing building into a clinic and the facility was established, opening its doors in March 2020 with a staff complement of six.

The facility had difficulty coping with the consistently inflated electric tariffs and the clinic approached a local installer who had installed a solar system at a nearby orphanage.

"The clinic expresses its profound gratitude to SOLTRAIN for assistance in obtaining and installing five 200 litre and one 100 litre systems which have assisted greatly in the smooth running of our clinic," says Sister Nellie-Auxilia. "Marondera's climate is cold in winter with temperatures frequently reaching one degree or less. With the installation of these sola thermal systems, our staff and the patients will always have a warm bath and hot water for cleaning and other purposes. In terms of cost savings, the installations have cut our electricity consumption from 920 kWh to 366 kWh a month, which is a great relief," she adds.

From Samson 2
7th SOLTRAIN+ Conference concluded in Namibia

7th SOLTRAIN+ Conference concluded in Namibia

The SOLTRAIN+ project, which commenced in January 2023, heralds four more years of innovative developments in S…

2 months, 3 weeks ago

Selma Festus

Recent training activity in Namibia and Zimbabwe

Recent training activity in Namibia and Zimbabwe

Energy security and access remain significant challenges within the Southern African Development Community (SADC). T…

2 months, 3 weeks ago

Fenni Shidhika and Samson Mhlanga

Addressing the opportunities and barriers for women in the renewable heating and cooling sector in SOLTRAIN+ countries

Addressing the opportunities and barriers for women in the renewable heating and cooling sector in SOLTRAIN+ countries

On November 22, 2023, the Gender Managers (GMs) from the SADC Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (SAC…

2 months, 3 weeks ago

Selma Festus

SOLTRAIN and ERC host a successful renewable energy campaign in Maputsoe

SOLTRAIN and ERC host a successful renewable energy campaign in Maputsoe

The Renewable Energy Awareness Campaign recently orchestrated by the Energy Research Centre (ERC) in collaboration w…

2 months, 3 weeks ago

NUL ERC

SOLTRAIN+ exhibits at at the Zimbabwe Agricultural Show 2023

SOLTRAIN+ exhibits at at the Zimbabwe Agricultural Show 2023

The annual Zimbabwe Agricultural Show is the premier event organized by the Zimbabwe Agricultural Society for the na…

4 months, 4 weeks ago

Hilton Chingosho & Samson Mhlanga

Girls in STEM Career Guidance at Masotsha High School, Bulawayo

Girls in STEM Career Guidance at Masotsha High School, Bulawayo

The GIRLS IN STEM career guidance event was organized by Elevate Trust Zimbabwe, with a specific focus on empowering…

4 months, 4 weeks ago

Samson Mhlanga, Destine Mashava and Albert Mnkandla

NEI Exhibits the SOLTRAIN+ Project at the Ongwediva Annual Trade Fair and at the NUST Post-Graduate Open Day

NEI Exhibits the SOLTRAIN+ Project at the Ongwediva Annual Trade Fair and at the NUST Post-Graduate Open Day

The Namibia Energy Institute (NEI) showcased its activities, including the Southern African Renewable Heating and Co…

4 months, 4 weeks ago

Joseph Shigwedha

Secure Your Spot - Pre-Register for the 7th SOLTRAIN Conference!

Secure Your Spot - Pre-Register for the 7th SOLTRAIN Conference!

We're thrilled to announce that pre-registration is now open for the upcoming 7th SOLTRAIN Conference! Don't…

4 months, 4 weeks ago

Wolfgang w.gruber-glatzl@aee.at

SOLTRAIN+ Gender & Diversity Management - Side Event alongside the SOLTRAIN+ Conference taking place 22 – 23 November 2023, Safari Hotel, Windhoek, Namibia

SOLTRAIN+ Gender & Diversity Management - Side Event alongside the SOLTRAIN+ Conference taking place 22 – 23 November 2023, Safari Hotel, Windhoek, Namibia

During the SOLTRAIN+ project, special attention is given to 'Women in Energy.' Aligned with national sustain…

4 months, 4 weeks ago

Karen Gibson, Selma Festus, Monika Spörk-Dür

Four more years of SOLTRAIN with expanded scope of SOLTRAIN+

Four more years of SOLTRAIN with expanded scope of SOLTRAIN+

The SOLTRAIN+ project, which began in January 2023, promises four more years of exciting new developments in the fie…

8 months ago

Wolfgang Gruber-Glatzl