Presentation: Loren Morschen, Ejeda Hospital Solar Energy Project
Gary Hardel introduced Loren Morschen, from the Waconia/West Carver Rotary Club, who told us about a project to install a solar energy system that will enable portions of the Ejeda Hospital in southwest Madagascar to run equipment. With only expensive-to-run diesel generators that run about 3 hours a day, the hospital cannot keep critical vaccines, or pump water from wells. A 5-year service contract to maintain the solar system would be included in the project.
This dry area of the island only receives rainfall a few times of the year during the cyclone season. It is also remote and without good road access, so the project will be managed by Toliara Rotary – the “local” club, about 100 miles away on the coast. Loren does not anticipate any “boots on the ground” visits from donating club members.
Loren’s club is enlisting support from others to collect $130,000, including District + Rotary International matching grants. Edina and Waconia/West Carver have contributed. Our Board will decide on our input in the next few weeks. Their application will have to be submitted before they know if there will be a match from Rotary International.
Loren Morschen contact information: phone 612-804-3150, email: [email protected]
