(ERGO) – The maternal and child health clinic (MCH) in Wardher-bari, 30 km from Armo, is now able to provide services at night thanks to a solar power system installed by local volunteers as part of a wider project to light up the remote town in Puntland.
Mahamud Bahwal Ali, the MCH manager, told Radio Ergo that they are now open day and night for the first time since the centre was established a year ago.
“Nowadays it is normal for us to operate at night, whereas before we used to open at night only in case of emergencies using handheld torches,” he said.
The solar lighting has enabled the clinic to serve women who go into labour or need other urgent assistance at night. This has increased the number of women being assisted from 15 to 25 each day.
Yasin Abdi Idale, the youth leader behind the solar project, told Radio Ergo that it was a collective effort supported by the whole community.
“This project cost us about $18,000 and all of that money was raised from within the community. The labour too came from within,” he said proudly.
With the money raised, they bought 30 solar units at $600 per piece. They installed 25 units inf the streets and the remaining five at community facilities, including the MCH, the school, the mosque and other areas.
Ayan Mohamud Mohamed, a mother of 10 and owner of a small canteen by the main road, told Radio Ergo that the solar lighting has had a positive impact on her business.
“We used to close up by sunset as there was no light, but with the streetlights I can keep the canteen open for long,” she said.
Ayan’s clients are mostly truck drivers who pass Wardher-bari on their way to other destinations.
“There is a big difference in income when you’re able to work in two shifts. When the town was dark, I used to work only during the day and make $50, but now that I work at night too, I can make $120 to $130 a day,” she said.
