FIRE At Bongolo Hospital!

The transformer shack is the small, shiny
roofed structure on the far right.

Sadly, last evening at Bongolo Hospital (around 2pm EST), the electrical transformer burst into flames and was destroyed.  Thankfully, no one was hurt and the damage was contained to the cement block shack that was home to the transformer.

I talked with Renee, a colleague who was there when the news broke out.  Circuit breakers had been popping throughout the day in various residents and she was visiting Zach and Jen who live nearby, to see if they were having the same issue.  While chatting, Zach got a call from another teammate, Terry, alerting them to the fire.

Here is the report, as given to another teammate, Joanna:

"Something clearly went wrong with the transformer and the fire began, fueled by the oil filling the transformer itself.  Our hospital administrator, Serge, went quickly to the power company to have them shut off our power.  Others gathered and when Serge returned he joined the rest of the Bongolo team in figuring out what to do.  After opening the door to the building (it is a standalone building) the flames increased raising concern for the overhead wires.  Ultimately, a bucket brigade was formed of missionaries, pastors, hospital staff and residents in surgery.  They tossed sand on the fire and finally were able to put it out."

TEMPORARY POWER

We are thankful for a backup generator, but it has been a challenge to keep running of late add to that the daily operating costs of $1000 (USD).  The hospital director, Pastor Serge, is working his network of contacts to line up a replacement transformer and a team from the national electric company to come evaluate the situation, as this was their transformer that they placed there just over a year ago.  

Through our western eyes, we would surmise that the financial burden of this all lies with the electric company or that an insurance policy might cover this.  Well, that is not the reality.  The costs will end up being that of the hospital's to bear.  Since the hospital is based around service to the poor, rural population of the region, you can imagine that there are not many excess funds ready to cover this.  Click on the following dates to read the latest news.  I'll try to update until a solution is in place or, at least, in process.

JAN 18 UPDATE
JAN 19 UPDATE
JAN 21 UPDATE
JAN 22 UPDATE
JAN 24 UPDATE
TRANSFORMER ONLINE UPDATE!!! 
FEB 08- FUNDING UPDATE
FEB 23- LAST UPDATE

DONATIONS NEEDED

Bongolo needs help with this crisis.  Initial estimates are over $100,000 (USD).  Would you please consider helping respond?  If you can assist with a financial donation, please click the "DONATE" logo on the right column of this page (or here) to take you to the Christian & Missionary Alliance website.  Enter "Bongolo" into the search in the section marked "Give to International Worker or Special Projects" and select the first option that pops up ("Hospital Projects/Bongolo").  You will be receipted for your giving.

If you wish to give via US Postal service:

Make a check payable to C&MA write “Bongolo Hospital Special Projects" in the memo line.

Send to:

C&MA

P.O. Box 35000

Colorado Springs, CO 80935-3500

Critical, life-giving, hope-inspiring, work happens at Bongolo Hospital, shining a light of God's love in a remote corner of the world.  Please help that work to carry on.  Thank you so much.