The Carmelite Missionary Sisters have a health center in the former Dibamba leper colony, in the city of Douala (Cameroon), where they have developed a 3D printing prosthesis project for the vulnerable population they serve. This project has been carried out in conjunction with the Polytechnic University of Valencia, the Barceló Foundation and the Religious Foundation for Health.

The center is located in Douala, Cameroon, where there are frequent power outages, especially in the neighborhood where the center is located on the outskirts of the city. After the difficulties encountered with 3D printing, the center is manufacturing the prostheses in a conventional way. The solar installation allows them to use machinery to manufacture the prostheses, as well as light and energy to accompany the entire rehabilitation process of the patients.

• NGO: Carmelite Missionary Sisters
• Service: 24/7 electricity and light for the workshops and 3D printers
• Impact: Continuous electrical service for the production of prosthetics
• PV Instalation: 20 panels (9 kWp) and lithium batteries (30 kWh)
• Social Impact: reliable supply of prostheses to patients

In this context, Sister Pascale Nicolas contacted EKI to study the possibility of installing a solar photovoltaic system that would guarantee a continuous electrical supply and allow a safe and constant production of prosthetics. This project was one of the first that EKI has carried out through collaborating entities; in this case, the installation was carried out by the company EFORA.