Gebrüder Weiss, a global logistics company, is transporting a high-performance photovoltaic (PV) system to the Palorinya refugee settlement in northern Uganda. The "Solar Power for Palorinya" initiative, spearheaded by the Catholic missionary order of the Comboni Missionaries and implemented by Brother Erich Fischnaller, aims to provide sustainable energy for training workshops that equip refugees with trade skills such as carpentry, metalwork, and baking. In alignment with the organization's sustainability goals, Gebrüder Weiss engages in sustainable development partnerships and supports initiatives that promote sustainable living.

Providing young people with education and knowledge so that they can build an independent existence is a critical part of this philanthropic project. Diesel generators previously powered the settlement and its training workshops. Now, the workshops will benefit from a more cost-effective and environmentally friendly solar energy solution. The PV system, donated by photovoltaic manufacturers and electrical engineering companies from Vorarlberg and Liechtenstein, operates off-grid and can generate up to 200 kilowatts of electrical energy.

Upon the arrival of the sea freight container at the Wolfurt container terminal: Andreas Bilgeri, Branch Manager Air & Sea Wolfurt at Gebrüder Weiss (left) and Matthias Burtscher, coordinator of the aid campaign. (Source: Gebrüder Weiss / Sams)

“This is an exemplary initiative by companies in the region that helps to give the local population a perspective for the future – and it also makes ecological sense. Solar energy instead of fossil fuels: a sustainable aid project that we are happy to support,” said Andreas Bilgeri, Manager of Gebrüder Weiss Air & Sea Wolfurt.

The solar energy system, packed into a 40-foot sea freight container, will begin its journey before Christmas. It will travel by rail from Wolfurt to Rotterdam, then by ship to Mombasa, Kenya, and finally by truck to its destination in Uganda. The global logistics company is transporting the solar energy system free of charge from Vorarlberg to Uganda in East Africa.

"I am very happy to have Gebrüder Weiss, an internationally experienced logistics company located in Vorarlberg, on our side. This simplifies the coordination processes for us and we can be sure that the solar system will arrive at its destination safely and on time," says Matthias Burtscher, one of the coordinators of the campaign.

With the support of many volunteers, the donated PV system modules were assembled, tested and then packed at his company's premises before being transported. This collaborative effort exemplifies the power of regional partnerships to create sustainable solutions and provide vital resources for underserved communities around the world.