How it works

In January 2019, MDC began distributing solar home-lighting systems to individual families.

These systems include a solar panel, battery, three lights and cell phone charging station. People value and care for what they invest in, so MDC makes the systems available on a three-year rent-to-own basis, with rent payments reinvested in a range of community needs. We plan to make solar lighting available deep in the district population of 6000 households. The home-lighting kits are distributed and maintained by MDC’s business manager and a young technician.

Hover over each of the below steps to see a photo or more detail.

1.

We receive your monetary donation

2.

Solar Partners Order Solar home Systems

3.

Manufacturer Ships System to Maji Ethiopia

4.

Truck delivers the system to Maji

5.

Everyone Helps Unload the System

6.

Customer Brings Letter of Good Standing

7.

Customer Signs the System Contract

8.

Customer Makes Rent-to-Own Payment

8a.

Payment Supports Women’s Development

9.

Customer Carries a System Home

10.

Installer installs battery and wires house

11.

With the system installed, it's time: Lights on!

12.

Your Donation Helped Make This Happen!

Trip Report: May 2024

Clare Camper2024-06-24T00:49:13+00:00Clean Water, Development, News, Solar Power|

In May, Chris Bounds, Charley Bounds, Rick Smith, and Tracy Sauerwein of Covenant Presbyterian Church in Boise, Idaho traveled with me to Addis Ababa, Mizan, and Maji. The trip goals were: To have members observe and report back to Covenant PC on the work that MDC has accomplished [...]

Thank you donors – Video

developmaji2024-01-24T18:54:55+00:00Clean Water|

Maji Development Coalition (MDC) is a small but mighty nonprofit. We are bringing safe water, solar power and women's development to a remote corner of rural Ethiopia. " We've brought solar lighting and phone charging to almost a 1,000 homes that were dark when the sun went down. We [...]

October Update – Hooray for Clean Water!

developmaji2024-01-08T22:55:17+00:00News|

Safe Water—For the First Time Ever! In our culture, things change. A new cell phone comes out every eighteen months; a new, slimmer laptop makes the news; a new pedometer that also tracks our sleep health is all the rage. Fashions change faster than we can wear out [...]

Solar Electricity
Lighting the Way

Clean Water
Improving Health

Women’s Empowerment
Transforming Lives

To accompany the people of the Maji District in SW Ethiopia as they pursue community development for the flourishing of mind, body and soul.

Maji Development Coalition

The Kurtz Family in Ethiopia

In January 2019, MDC began distributing solar home-lighting systems to individual families.

Hover over each of the below steps to see a photo or more detail.

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

8a.

9.

10.

11.

12.