Alongside Hope’s 2025 Wild Ride aims to raise funds to equip eight off-the-grid rural health clinics with life-saving renewable energy. Thanks to a generous donor, all gifts this year will be matched, doubling the impact.
At Muripotana Health Centre in Nampula, midwife Ancha Amido Abdala used to begin every night shift in darkness, with no lights, no power and no possibility of admitting patients after dark. In 2022 that changed, when Alongside Hope and partner EHALE installed a solar suitcase — a bright yellow, wall‑mounted box powered by solar panels. Inside, it holds LED lights, a fetal Doppler, headlamps, phone chargers and a thermometer. The suitcases are made by We Care Solar.
Abdala says it made an immediate difference. “There was no way to handle medical materials in the dark,” she recalls. After lighting went live, women began coming to the clinic at night; births increased, and transparency improved because the patients’ companions could follow procedures clearly.
“I gave birth at night,” said one new mother. “I felt very happy because I could see what the nurse was doing.” In districts with installations, night‑time births rose by about 17 percent, and more than 80,000 babies have been safely delivered since 2016, thanks to the installation of 80 solar suitcases across the province.
This year, Alongside Hope’s Wild Ride aims to raise $52,000 — enough for eight suitcases — and dioceses across BC are out in force to support the fundraising efforts.
In the Diocese of Kootenay, Bishop Lynne McNaughton, who is a veteran cyclist of the Wild Ride is ditching her bike this year in favour of walking 200 kilometres. “I walk a fast two kilometres up into the orchards near my house, a steep climb up onto the ‘bench’ where I can see a stunning view of Okanagan Lake. One Saturday at the end of the summer I’m inviting people to join me for a five or 10 kilometre walk in a forest park in Kelowna.”
Bishop Lynne was inspired to get involved when seeing the solar suitcase demonstration at General Synod. “The suitcases are a brilliant design, portable and practical. They meet such a crucial need. I love walking and walk anyway so why not make that walk count for joining God in God’s work of mending the world.”
At St Timothy’s in 100 Mile House, BC, Shelby Byer and other parishioners will be walking 100 miles. And Joy Gothard is spearheading the Kamloops WaySeekers of St Paul’s Cathedral as she rides her e-bike from Kamloop to St Peter’s in Monte Creek five times (200 km). She also plans to host a walk in the alpine meadows of Sun Peaks.
The people of St Timothy’s and St Paul’s, both located in the Territory of the People, are following in the footsteps of their bishop, Clara Plamondon, who will be making 50 prayer flags.
“I love the idea of creating a visual symbol of our prayer for the people and communities that will be supported and helped through this initiative,” says Bishop Clara. “I will be making the prayer flags from various fabrics and colours with a focus on Mozambique and Madagascar. As I create the flags, I will be taking time to learn about these two countries, their culture and ways. I will be praying specifically for those who will benefit from the gift of these solar suitcases.”
The Wild Ride is part of a larger initiative to provide 35 solar suitcases in Mozambique and 14 solar suitcases in Madagascar. The Coming Alongside Hope with Light project has a total budget of $320,000. All donations will be matched, up to $150,000, so $170,000 needs to be raised to ensure all 49 suitcases are installed.
How to Help
It’s not too late to join the Wild Ride and help provide clinics with renewable energy in Mozambique and Madagascar. The Wild Ride continues until the end of October, and anyone can take part, as part of a group or as an individual. Walk, cycle, knit, bake, paddle, pray, sing — choose any activity you enjoy.
Register today at alongsidehope.org/wild-ride. And if you have any questions or need help, contact volunteer coordinator Kim Umbach at [email protected]
And if you can’t join the Wild Ride this year, you can still help provide solar energy in Mozambique and Madagascar. Give at alongsidehope.org/wild-ride.
