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.

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. The suitcases are made by We Care Solar.

Now in 2025, the Wild Ride aims to raise $52,000 – enough for eight solar more suitcases. Thanks to a generous donor, all funds will be matched. So for every solar suitcase that is funded, another will be added.

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 will be installed. The Wild Ride has attracted fundraisers of all kinds from coast to coast. A veteran cyclist of the Wild Ride and its predecessor, the Ride for Refuge, Bishop Lynne McNaughton of the Diocese of Kootenay is ditching her bike this year in favour of walking 200 km. “I walk a fast 2 km 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 5 or 10 km 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.”

Also in the Diocese of Kootenay, Andrew Stephens-Rennie will walk 450 km in Rossland, B.C.

At St. Timothy’s in 100 Mile House, B.C., the name says it all. Shelby Byer is organizing parishioners to walk 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. Located in the Territory of the People, the people of St. Timothy’s and St. Paul’s are following in the footsteps of their Bishop, Clara Plamondon.

Bishop Clara is creating 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,” she says. “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.”

This connection between prayer and action is important to Bishop Clara. “The Wild Ride allows us to join our shared mission and ministry efforts with the global community. I have wanted to do something for the Wild Ride for quite some time, and I wanted to encourage others to do the same. My inspiration is Betty Davidson from Yukon who is known for crocheting baby blankets for Wild Ride. She reminded me that there are many creative ways to raise funds for this important work.”

Indeed, Betty Davidson has been crocheting baby blankets for the Wild Ride for many years and intends to again make 10 this year. “The solar suitcases provide the light needed to help mothers give birth safely and give them security and confidence,” says Davidson. “During the year, I make baby blankets for those having babies, or who have family members or friends throughout Canada having babies.”

Having a safe birth hits home for Davidson. “I was medivaced to Whitehorse when my son was born and I can’t imagine how difficult it would have been to have been in the situation I was in, if there had been no light and no electricity. I really want to be a part of helping Alongside Hope in their desire to help the mothers, doctors and nurses of Mozambique and Madagascar.”

On the east coast, the team from the Diocese of Eastern Newfoundland and Labrador has participants kayaking and hiking. Maxine Drover is Hiking for Hope and Christine Lynch is kayaking 200 km.

These efforts will make a big difference for midwives like Abdala. The Solar Suitcase is a tool that transforms the quality of care. She explains that even during suturing, the room is bright enough to explain and demonstrate each step to women and their companions. In one emergency, the light made it possible to resuscitate a preterm baby that wasn’t crying and begin immediate skin‑to‑skin contact with the mother.

That visibility builds trust. “At first, community members didn’t always respect me,” Abdala says. “But when they saw what I could do with the Solar Suitcase, attitudes changed. Now almost everyone respects my work.” Even clinics that already have inconsistent grid power benefit from the solar backup. Abdala adds, “I ask that this be provided to other centres—even those connected to the grid—because electricity alone isn’t always enough.”

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—a group or an individual. Walk, cycle, knit, bake, paddle, pray, sing – choose any activity you enjoy. Register as an individual or as a team and help us raise funds for eight solar suitcases—which will become 16 with a matching gift!

Register today at AlongsideHope.com/Wild-Ride. And if you have any questions or need help, please contact our Volunteer Coordinator, Kim Umbach at kumbach@alongsidehope.org

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.

The post Lighting the Way: Alongside Hope Wild Ride appeared first on Anglican Life.

Jonathan Rowe is an Anglican priest with 21 years of service to the Church in the Diocese of Eastern Newfoundland and Labrador. A leader in discipleship, mission and digital ministry, Rowe supported teamwork and collaboration among parishes as a former Mission Dean. He led a Discipleship and Ministry program, equipping Anglicans across the province to explore and better articulate their faith.

Living into God’s Dream is designed to help readers develop a deeper and more meaningful observance of the Lenten season. Each daily reflection includes a Scripture passage, a reflective essay, three questions for further reflection and self-examination, and a prayer. This format provides a structure for readers to engage more deeply with the Lenten themes and scriptures through self-reflection. Readers are invited to subscribe to receive a free daily message in their email inbox.

The resource explores various key themes that pertain to the Lenten season, with emphasis on current events, including temptation, renewal, transformation, simplicity and integrity. By emphasizing reflection, self-examination and prayer, the guide promotes personal spiritual growth and development. As readers work through the reflections, they’ll be encouraged to reassess their lives, let go of distractions of their daily busy life, and focus on spiritual growth. Ultimately, the guide invites readers to create simplicity and integrity through a deeper connection with God, leading to practical applications and transformative insights in their daily lives.

“I believe that faith should lead to action, and there’s no better time than Lent to connect our spiritual practices with the needs of the world around us,” says Rowe. “This resource is designed to help people of all backgrounds deepen their faith by reflecting on the challenges of our time and responding through prayer and concrete acts of compassion. It’s my hope that these reflections will not only guide individuals on their Lenten journey but also inspire them to bring God’s Dream for the world closer to reality.”

Living into God’s Dream is a valuable companion for the season, providing a thoughtful guide to help readers deepen their understanding of Lenten themes. Through reflective questions and prayers, readers are encouraged to examine their lives and priorities, leading to greater self-awareness.

Where to find it:
Explore the journey of resilience this Lenten season with Alongside Hope.
Learn more and subscribe at: pwrdf.org/AlongsideHopeLent2025.

The post Living Into God’s Dream appeared first on Anglican Life.