Charged by two durable solar panels installed on the roof of a clinic, the hardy and portable solar suitcase unit opens to reveal a high-capacity lithium battery, four high powered medical LED lights, two chargeable head lamps, a foetal doppler, USB and 12V charging ports, and rechargeable batteries with charger. These provide medical attendants with the tools they need to ensure every birth is illuminated, and phones are charged to make emergency referrals, especially at night.

Solar suitcases were the subject of a presentation at St. Bartholomew, Rockcliffe by Alongside Hope Board member, Bob Orr, at a “soup supper” followed by choral Evensong. Visitors to St. Bartholomew’s Christmas bazaar in November were able to see a solar suitcase and hear accounts of how it had improved maternal health care.

In October, Will Postma, executive director of Alongside Hope, visited parishes in Ottawa with a solar suitcase to demonstrate how they work.  At St. Helen’s, Orleans, he explained how they include training materials for local practitioners and information to install and maintain the equipment.  He described the immense difference the suitcases make in rural communities. Expectant mothers now know they can safely give birth in the dark and are more likely to seek health care.

Bart Dickinson, Alongside Hope’s planning, monitoring & evaluation coordinator, attended an event at St. James, Carleton Place, to explain how midwives could attend mothers and provide safe deliveries at all hours using the equipment each suitcase contains. Felice Parthun, a previous practicing Canadian midwife who attended the presentation, commented on how useful such an innovation could be.

Other local parishes chose to support this project through their outreach budgets.  Alongside Hope’s Wild Ride campaign also benefitted the Solar Suitcase project. This saw 23 teams and 56 people across Canada cycle, walk, swim, make blankets, or bake muffins. Their combined efforts nationwide raised $61,440 towards the total.

Across Canada, more than $321,000 was raised, including $150,000 in matching funds donated by a generous anonymous donor. As a result of efforts in Ottawa and across Canada, 49 nursing stations in Mozambique and Madagascar are now able to provide round the clock maternal health care to their community members.

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Acknowledging the mutual threat of climate change, the working group began by challenging local parishes to plant trees, while supporting tree planting in Uganda. This twinning relationship and the opportunity for local action caught the imagination of Anglicans here.  This year alone, 410 native species trees were planted in the diocese and over 23,000 trees in Uganda.

Sourced from local tree nurseries, red maples, black spruce, sugar maples and basswood seedlings were planted in the diocese. Through a generous donation from Christ Church Cathedral, we were able to distribute trees while encouraging recipients to donate funds in support of St. Jude Family Projects, a PWRDF partner in Uganda. We are extremely grateful to all who made donations, and to our parish contacts who facilitated the distribution and to all who planted trees in their gardens and neighbourhoods.

St. Jude Family Projects in Uganda distributed a variety of native and fruit-bearing species. Among the native trees are Faidherbia albida (Musita/Nsabya), known for its ability to improve soil fertility and provide shade and fodder; Markhamia lutea (Musambya), valued for timber, medicinal uses, and shade; Maesopsis eminii (Musizi), a fast-growing tree used for timber and soil improvement; and Albizia coriaria (Musisa), another important nitrogen-fixing species. Additionally, recipients requested and received fruit trees such as jackfruit, mango, avocado, guava, papaya, and banana.

By partnering with PWRDF/Alongside Hope these native trees will count towards the Communion Forest, a Lambeth Conference global initiative from 2022 dedicated to “renewing the life of the earth across the Anglican Communion and beyond” by forest protection, tree growing and ecosystem restoration.

The program was highlighted at St Stephen’s Church and the Alongside/PWRDF Meet Our Partners event in November.  Many thanks to St. Stephen’s for hosting, to their amazing cooking crew, Basic Kneads Bakery who donated the bread, and all who attended.

Walking alongside our partner in Uganda we have made a difference in our community and indeed the world. Thank you for inspiring hope for a sustainable future for all.

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