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WMN Solar OvensFrom SCVDSOLAR COOKING PROJECT: MAY 2009MODERATOR: Dianne Long, St. Stephens, San Luis Obispo ECR Launches Solar Cooking Project: The Episcopal Diocese of El Camino Real is launching a solar cooking project to serve families in the Diocese of Western Tanganyika. The project calls for launching an appeal to raise funds for solar ovens and teaching kits available from solar Cooking International, www.solarcooking.org. Description of the project: The project for 2009 calls for launching an appeal to raise funds for solar ovens and for teaching kits available from Solar Cooking International (www.solarcooking.org) to serve families in the companion Diocese of Western Tanganyika in East Africa. There is significant worldwide development of solar cooking technology that promises to have profound impacts on women’s health. Several simple models exist using boxes or panels with reflective surfaces, mostly made of cardboard, aluminum foil, plastic bags, and black-painted tins and glass jars. Web sites with extensive information on use and crafting of solar ovens include http://solarcooking.wikia.com/wili and www.solarcooking.org. The diocese can make an appeal for funds to provide solar ovens and training kits to “train the trainer” in this very needy area of Africa. A small production unit exists in Kenya where training and adoption of ovens has been successful. And there is a push for adoption in Sudan and Chad where desertification makes it difficult to gather wood for simple cooking. Additionally, job opportunities can be created for women to make solar ovens for sale, thus contributing to family income. Solar Cooking Launch Committee: Dianne Long of St. Stephen’s, San Luis Obispo, chaired the solar cooking launch committee of fifteen members keenly interested in working on this project. Discussion items related to prior experiences with alternative technology and an interest in fund-raising and possible mission visit in 2010. Next Steps: Members will explore solar cooking technologies on the websites and inform local parishes of the appeal for funds. An account can be set up to capture funds from individuals and parishes for this project. The Diocese can include this project in its continual appeal requests. The groups suggest equipping the visiting delegation from Tanzania with a digital camera to record the progress of the training. It would be advisable to get a Kenyan trainer to come to Tanzania to initiate training activity. Training kits complete with construction information and water purifiers cost $50. A start of 10 training kits ($500) would be a good start. Kenyan ovens cost under $10 apiece and purchased in bulk. Contact Information Launch Committee: Dianne Long, diannenlong@gmail.com |