The Coca-Cola Company

Company Funds Solar Powered Water Project That Helps Combat Aids In Uganda

August 4, 2006 edition

The Coca-Cola Company, along with Solar Light for Africa and USAID, celebrated the completion of a water and electrification project for the Kalungi Health Center in Uganda on July 23.

Our Company provided complete funding for the water portion of the project, which runs entirely on solar energy. Thousands of Kalungi residents will now have access to clean drinking water, reducing the number of cases of dehydration and water-borne diseases. Clean water is particularly important for HIV/AIDS patients, many of whom die from infections they contract from untreated water.

Solar power provides the electricity to pump water from a spring water source about one mile from the health center in Kalungi into a 75,000-liter tank located at the center. Germicidal lamps then disinfect the water with ultraviolet energy generated by solar power. After the germicidal filtration, the sanitized water is then distributed for hospital use. Community taps also were installed to provide the village with convenient access to potable water.

Kalungi hospital also has electrification in its health clinic and its nurses’ training facility through solar energy sponsored by USAID. Lighting provided by solar power replaces the toxic fumes of kerosene lanterns and other lighting, allowing medical staff to care for patients well into the night and to perform surgery with better lighting. The solar electrification also allows vaccines and other medicines to be preserved in small refrigerators.

Our Company’s commitment to the environment is embedded in the Manifesto For Growth vision for the Planet aspect of the 5Ps -- Profit, Portfolio, People, Partners and Planet. Supporting community-based programs and partnering with government and nongovernment organizations to promote water stewardship are part of our overall water initiative.