Another Container on the Way: Electricity for Our Projects – 01.07.2025
- Colin
- Jul 1
- 2 min read
Very soon, another container will begin its journey. The shipment to Malawi is a joint project with the Franciscan Sisters of Salzkotten (fcjm.de) and Larissa Neumann (malawi-physio.de). The extensive cargo will bring – both literally and figuratively – new energy to Malawi:
On one hand, the container is loaded with the equipment for a new physiotherapy station at the Madisi Mission Hospital, located about 80 km north of Lilongwe. The mission hospital of the Diocese of Lilongwe was run by the Franciscan Sisters of Salzkotten from 1987 to 2002 and was then handed over to local administration. In project partnership with the Sisters, Larissa will set up and operate the station on-site using the shipped equipment.
On the other hand, the container has been filled with numerous solar panels and related equipment generously donated by various sponsors. The lack of reliable electricity is one of the major barriers to development in Malawi – schools, healthcare facilities, and agricultural businesses often operate without or with very unreliable power supply. The solar systems are intended to provide sustainable electricity for our current and future projects – initially, we plan to expand the power supply at the Home of Dreams.
We would especially like to thank Dr. Christian Metje and Robin Schlenczek from the company Dr. Metje (dr-metje.com), who donated a large, complete, and like-new solar system.
In addition, the container is loaded with a variety of agricultural tools that will be used in the permaculture project “Tadzuka” in Kampatha – a project we actively support and accompany. The container itself was purchased by us and will remain in Kampatha after its arrival, where it will be repurposed into a building – such as a tool shed.
We used the remaining space to transport furniture for the guesthouse in Nazareth, Mganja. The house is currently being renovated and will serve in the future as the headquarters of our planned Malawian NGO, as well as accommodation for visitors and volunteers.
Our special thanks go to our close partner and friend Andreas Watzek, who not only established the contact with the Franciscan Sisters of Salzkotten but also contributed significantly to the shipment of the container with his active support and forward-thinking coordination. His efforts made the collaboration with Larissa and the Franciscan Sisters possible in this form – for that we say: Thank you, Andreas!
We also thank Larissa Neumann and her supporters, who organized and carried out the loading of the container with great commitment. Her work, patience, and passion for the cause played a major role in making this shipment possible. We wish Larissa all the best in setting up and operating her new physiotherapy clinic in Madisi – an important and much-needed contribution to medical care in the region. At this point, we would like to explicitly refer to her website and encourage interest, support, and donations for the project:
We are very pleased with the partnership that has developed and hope this won’t be the last collaboration with Larissa and the Franciscan Sisters of Salzkotten!
We will report on the container’s arrival and the further use of its contents in separate blog posts on this website.
