Project No. 02/2025 –
Renewable Energy for the San Damiano Novitiate House
(Ndola, Zambia)
The Conventual Franciscan Province of the Franciscan Protomartyrs in Zambia has proposed Conventual and Ecological Project No. 02/2025, entitled, “Renewable Energy for the San Damiano Novitiate House,” aimed at strengthening the solar energy system at the San Damiano Novitiate House in order to ensure a stable and adequate supply of electricity for the formational life of the novices.
The San Damiano Novitiate is located in the township of Itimpi, in the city of Kitwe, situated in the central part of Zambia’s Copperbelt Province. Kitwe has approximately 661,901 inhabitants and is marked by widespread poverty, a number of informal settlements, and a predominantly young population.
Historically tied to the mining sector, the city experienced a significant economic decline in the 1990s, leading to job losses and the growth of informal employment. The majority of the population is Christian, with a strong Catholic presence. The Itimpi area, where the novitiate is located, also has notable agricultural activity.
The Novitiate House currently has nine novices. Eight are from Zambia and one is from Malawi. In July of 2024, during the visit of the Minister General, Friar Carlos TROVARELLI, the friars pointed out the need to strengthen the existing solar energy system, as it had already been compromised by wear and technical faults. In particular, one inverter stopped working in 2022. Moreover, two batteries are damaged, significantly reducing the system’s capacity. This situation, combined with the frequent power outages affecting the country, is making it difficult to carry out regular formation activities and daily life at the novitiate.
To address this need, the project will upgrade and refurbish the existing solar system through the purchase and installation of appropriate components. This will ensure greater energy independence, continuity in formation activities, and improved living conditions for the novices. The intervention will significantly contribute to the facility’s sustainability and to the smooth running of the formation program.
Project Information
- Conventual Franciscan Jurisdiction: Province of the Franciscan Protomartyrs in Zambia
- Country: Zambia
- Location: Ndola
- Type of Project: Conventual and ecological project
- Date of Proposal: January 20, 2025
- Direct Project Coordinator:
-
- Friar Luke Katongo CHILAMBWE; Email: ofmconvzm@gmail.com
- Total Project Cost: €10,032.00
- Local Contributions (from the Province):
- €1,667.00
- Contribution from the Province of Our Lady of Consolation in the USA (OLC):
- €8,500.00 (9,654.00 USD)
- Funding Status:
- The project is already fully funded and implemented.
Projects Office
