Project Trip January 2026

We returned feeling very grateful, as we were able to complete everything that was planned for the maximum programme, thanks in part to the longer duration of the trip:

1. Windmill

We were able to lay the wind turbine down and install a head tilt limiter including air pumps, as a cushion, without any complications. Things could have gone wrong, as a child stole the winch crank during our lunch break. It was found again.... The wind turbine is running smoothly, and the overload control system we designed ourselves and installed in October 2025 is working perfectly. An automatic emergency stop control system was also installed and successfully tested.

2. Change batteries in electric-station 2:

For electrical substation 2, we were able to buy 18 new batteries (200 Ah each) in Addis Ababa, to replace the old battery set (13 years old). The old batteries were taken back to Addis by truck for recycling.

3. PV-panels on the school roof

We installed the remaining 12 PV panels on the school roof, so that grid-connected micro inverters now not only stabilise the entire grid, but also feed surplus energy back into the batteries (Electric station 1).

4. New energy-system for Gambo-Village

As our main project, we were able to build a completely separate PV-supported energy system (20x PV at 200 Wp, 6x 200 Ah batteries, hybrid inverters) for 12 houses in a remote part of the village about 1 km down in the valley (Gambo Village). This was logistically difficult. Although the village could be reached on foot from the main town in about 20 minutes, walking 1-2 km down a steep hill, the jeep had to drive about 8 km on a rough gravel road to get close to the village. From there, everything had to be carried about 300 m uphill. Many helpers from the village mastered this task with flying colours. An attempt to get the jeep there on its own had to be abandoned because it got stuck and threatened to tip over the slope. Thanks to the pulling assistance of many villagers, it was pulled out. There was also a surprise: the roof of the house that had already been designated for the PV installation suddenly could not be used as such, due to the objection of a family member. Without further ado, the villagers built a new building on the sloped, out of split wooden posts, in just three days (!), including an outbuilding for a guard. This enabled our group to quickly (but also under difficult conditions) install the PV system on round timbers on the corrugated iron roof (panel thickness 0.2 mm) and install the storage and inverter technology, including interior lighting and village output fuses. The village technicians now have to lay the overhead lines themselves, and install house connections. We brought the cables (2 km, 2x4²) with us.

5. Organisational issues with the village leaders

We were also able to discuss organisational issues in detail with the village leaders (consumer behaviour, payment of technicians, electricity costs, those responsible for Gambo Village, etc.).

6. Many encounters with people along the way

But what really impressed us were the many, many encounters with people along the way, in the homes, by invitations, in the village pub... You can never experience something like we have experienced as a tourist! And again and again, water transport, mostly on donkeys or, in the city, by donkey cart. Yellow canisters of water everywhere... In Tula, there are two water points for around 2,500 people. That makes you think twice about what you can use... And children, children everywhere, all the time... Their faces have something radiant about them, they tell a story of life (when I look at the faces of the people in our supermarkets, on the other hand...)
As always, we camped and cooked on charcoal stoves. Our toilet (a raised transport crate) is leaning dangerously to one side. It needs new foundations. In contrast, our field shower (now with heated water!) was a great asset. During our evening visits to the family's home, we immersed ourselves in ancient ways of life in communion with the animals.

7. Project costs

I still have to complete the accounts for the campaign. The total costs, including all preliminary expenses (materials, equipment), will amount to around 14,000 Euros (the batteries alone cost 8,000 Euros). These costs could only be covered thanks to the many donations received in advance.
Inflation in the country (three years ago 1:64, now over 1:182) makes it better for us to buy expensive products in the country, as strangely enough, the prices for many goods (including batteries, cables, hotel costs, jeeps) have remained constant or have only risen slightly. Three years ago, we would have had to pay € 24,000 for the batteries, and this year only € 8,000.

I thank God that he protected us from accidents and illness.

Jochen, Rüsseina.