Support UM News on World Press Freedom Day: Give to help sustain and expand the storytelling capacity of UM News. Your donation today will transform information into inspiration and ensure we can continue sharing stories of God’s work in the world through The UMC. Help us reach our $10,000 goal and keep this vital ministry fair, faithful, trusted and free for all!

Solar power improves care at United Methodist hospital


Doctors in Kabongo often had to perform surgeries, deliver babies and care for sick children and emergency patients by candlelight.
 
Due to the lack of power, some avoided United Methodist Kabongo Hospital for treatment, especially at night.

That all changed with the addition of a solar panel station that will provide reliable power to the hospital.

Earlier this year, Dr. Joseph Kayembe Katongola created a solar panel station using 14 panels that had been installed throughout the hospital in 2014. Individually, the panels weren’t providing the needed power.
 
Katongola said the solar system will improve working conditions and quality of life for patients and staff.

 “No matter what different medical personnel we have — internists, pediatricians, nurses — in Kabongo Hospital, we need to offer medical care of quality to improve our workplace and love what we do,” he said.

Justine Kyungu wa Ngoy, a pediatric nurse, said having permanent power solves some major challenges at the hospital.
 
“It has been a problem when women come at night for baby delivery, malaria cases with children or surgery at night with limited energy,” she said.
 

Subscribe to our
e-newsletter

Like what you're reading and want to see more? Sign up for our free daily and weekly digests of important news and events in the life of The United Methodist Church.

Keep me informed!

The 200-watt panels, eight batteries and accessories were provided through a partnership between the North Katanga Conference, the United Methodist Board of Global Ministries’ Global Health unit, Connexio (a partner from Switzerland), and Swiss missionary Roman Heifer.
 
Part of the $48,000 grant issued by Global Ministries is being used to rehabilitate the hospital.
 
By improving the hospital’s working conditions and environment, the hospital is generating more income, said Katongola. He said that helps motivate staff by providing regular paychecks.
 
Dr. Patrick Kilunji, who works at Shungu Clinic in Kamina and did his internship at Kabongo Hospital, said it was difficult to work with limited energy. Some electrical equipment had been in storage for months because the hospital lacked the power to use it.

“Now, as the hospital is lightened, the work needs to be improved and maintenance should be a priority, so that energy becomes permanent. Electrical equipment like incubators and ultrasounds now will be operational,” he said.

Laboratories also will be in use 24 hours a day, said Gracia Kalenga Ngoy, a nurse at the hospital.

While the hospital has a generator, it couldn’t be used every day because of the cost of fuel.

“Fuel is Kabongo is a big challenge. … The small quantity found is expensive,” said Marianne Ilunga, a midwife at the hospital.
 
She said now the generator is used only when the solar panels are not fully charged.
 
Ilunga said the system also provides light for the surrounding houses, including a United Methodist guesthouse that is located near the hospital.
 
The addition of power at night has brought more patients to the hospital.

“Energy attracts patients for security, especially at night,” she said.

Dr. Alexis Mgoy Kasole, medical coordinator, agreed. He said energy at the hospital improves conditions and creates trust and confidence between the community and medical staff.

Although many of the personnel are hired by the church, the condition of the facility and the care is what brings patients to the hospital, he said.
 
“The more that work conditions improve, the easier (it will be for) community members to trust and come for care to the hospital on a daily basis,” he said.

Having the solar system at Kabongo Hospital also has created change outside the hospital, Kasole said. It has inspired business owners in the area to install their own solar panels.
 
“Private solar houses help to run small businesses by creating phone charging stations, running public television shows as entertainment in the community, radio operation systems and computer service where people come to use computers and do printing,” he said.

Musau is the director of communication in the North Katanga Conference.

News media contact: Vicki Brown, Nashville, Tennessee, (615) 742-5470 or [email protected]. To read more United Methodist news, subscribe to the free Daily or Weekly Digests.

Like what you're reading? Support the ministry of UM News! Your support ensures the latest denominational news, dynamic stories and informative articles will continue to connect our global community. Make a tax-deductible donation at ResourceUMC.org/GiveUMCom.

Sign up for our newsletter!

Subscribe Now
Faith Stories
Susie and Ed Keefer pose with Miriam, age 4, in Kinshasa, Congo, in 2013. Shortly afterward, Miriam went home with the Keefers to the United States. The matching outfits were a gift from Dr. Rebecca Yohadi. Photo courtesy of Susie Keefer.

From mission volunteer to adoptive mom

When Susie Keefer traveled to the Democratic Republic of Congo in 2010, little did she know it would be the first of many mission journeys.
Mission and Ministry
The Rev. Jonathan Baker and Donna Baker are overwhelmed as water gushes forth from a well in Wembo Nyama, Democratic Republic of Congo, in 2016. The local people had been praying for water for decades. New Covenant United Methodist Church in The Villages, Fla., and its Lake Deaton United Methodist Church campus in Wildwood, Fla., raised the money for this first well in the Sankuru Province of Central Congo. Photo by the Rev. Jim Divine.

Calling led couple to ministry in Congo

The Rev. Jonathan Baker, former conference council on ministries director, and registered nurse Donna Baker shared their skills with the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Mission and Ministry
John Kodjo (standing), a member of Mapamboli United Methodist Church in Kinshasa, Congo, tries to salvage things from his flooded home. Torrential rains and flooding on April 5 damaged over 1,000 homes in the area and killed at least 33 people. Kodjo’s family fled on the roof of their home. Photo by the Rev. Fiston Okito, UM News.

Floods devastate United Methodists in Congo

Thousands have been displaced and two United Methodist churches have been damaged by flooding in Kinshasa, the country’s capital.

United Methodist Communications is an agency of The United Methodist Church

©2025 United Methodist Communications. All Rights Reserved