After independence from Sudan in 2011, peace lasted only a short period of time. Since December 2013, a civil war has been raging in the country. Simplified viewed, it is a conflict between two ethnic tribes.
Since 2011, around 18 Sisters of the organization DMI have been living in the region of Wau and in the capital Juba. They help to raise awareness for peace and reconciliation between the two tribes.
The off-grid PV-solar system was designed to enable the DMI sisters uninterruptable power supply. It consists of 48 solar panels, 10 stacks of Greenrock AIB solar batteries (of 48 Vcd 2.7KWh), a backup generator, solar charger, inverters and all required accessories for installation & grounding.
The old food store was modified in order to accommodate the batteries. AIB solar batteries were chosen as they are long lasting, environmental friendly and resistant to high outside temperatures.
The Power room is including:
All equipments were connected, programmed and tested in line with the regulation. The power outputs to the different buildings are through underground cables to the different buildings and all cables are marked for easy identification.
The centre was supplied with Grundfos submersible pump SQE 1-35 for constant water supply. The pump is controlled by CU 300 together with a Potentimeter for grundfos CU 300-SPP1 to control the flow in order control the water level. The initial PVC riser pipes were reused and the whole activity was successful.
The centre was supplied with a GENMAC Generator Urban RG8PS (8.0KVA-230Vac) as a back-up power supply for the solar system as well as for the centre on by-pass. The generator is set to automatic mode with the signal from the programmable relay of the victron color control GX. The generator was supplied with the most important spare parts.
The St. Daniel Comboni TB, Leprosy and HIV infirmary Marial Lou is located in the north of South Sudan in the administrative district Tonj East. The catchment area has in approximately the size of Upper Austria. The focus of the infirmary is on patients with highly infectious Tuberculosis, Leprosy and HIV. The infirmary has a bed capacity of 42.
The buildings are in a very bad condition and in need of a renovation. The infirmary has no own water supply but has an unusable fountain. For power supply they have a little generator, but the generator sometimes does not work and does not guarantee a continuously power supply. Furthermore they do not have a Beamer for showing videos about tuberculosis and their effects. Therefore they have a lack of health education and sensibility.
South Sudan | ![]() |
Area | 644.000 km² (7,5x bigger than Austria) |
Population | 12,5 Mio |
Population density | 19,45 inhabitants/km² |
The St. Daniel Comboni infirmary exists since 1994 and is one of 14 hospitals of AAA (Arkangelo Ali Association) in South Sudan. AAA is involved in the strengthening and improvement of life quality for pupils in undersupplied and difficult to access regions (e.g. Marial Lou) through provision of a free of charge health service, including TB-care, TB/HIV and Leprosy treatment.
8°01’57.2″N 29°10’56.6″E
https://goo.gl/maps/Caq2pKb58HozS4UT9