"Luces para Aprender" arrives in the Democratic Republic of the Congo

The "Luces para Aprender" Uruguay project (LPAU) expands its charitable horizons to Africa. The two photovoltaic systems that travelled by boat along with the Blue Helmets from the Uruguayan National Army have now arrived in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. After several weeks of work, the two photovoltaic systems have now been installed and the children at Amour and Turisemi orphanages have electricity.

The Amour and Turisemi orphanages are located in Goma, a city in the Democratic Republic of the Congo with a total of 160,000 inhabitants. Uruguayan soldiers collaborate with the orphanages on a daily basis to provide support and assistance to the children living there. The Elecnor Foundation has contributed to these humanitarian actions by training the Blue Helmets to install and operate the solar installations.

These systems will enable them to have lighting and to use refrigerators. They will also be able to study for longer each day, store vaccines and use a computer and a TV, among other educational possibilities.

This initiative focuses on one of LPAU's main objectives: solidarity. It is a mission aimed at social integration, driving the human development of individuals and, in particular, of children, given that the main focus has been on rural schools.

A country without energy

It is worth noting that only 17% of the population has access to electrical power for a few hours a day. The remaining 83% live from day to day as they are unable to conserve food and do not have lighting. Moreover, we must not forget that, since the outbreak of Ebola in the Democratic Republic of the Congo was first reported in August last year, it has been confirmed as the most lethal outbreak in the country's history in terms of the mortality rate, which has reached 67%, with 1343 deaths and 2008 cases. The Democratic Republic of the Congo is a country with a wide range of social, economic and humanitarian problems.

The maintenance and installation will be carried out by the Uruguayan National Army, which has already received training from UTE technicians and the Elecnor Foundation.

In performing these actions, care was taken to ensure that the right materials were used during internal installations in order to allow the systems to be used as intended. This will allow the children living in these orphanages to access a better education.

About "Luces para Aprender" Uruguay (LPAU)

The LPAU project is promoted by the OEI, UTE and the Elecnor Foundation. The project consists of installing a photovoltaic system in each school so that they have access to renewable, sustainable and environmentally friendly energy. Having electricity has made it possible to provide lighting in schools used by the youngest students, as well as allowing schools to be used as meeting places after dark. Electricity drives progress and helps to reduce inequality and multiply opportunities.