The task of preparing a meal in Darfur brings a challenging set of problems and risks. Firewood for cooking is increasingly scarce in the areas of IDP camps. Women devote hundreds of hours to foraging for wood each week. The personal danger inherent in the chore is formidable: militia kills men and rape women. And as households consumes the limited energy source, the deforestation of Darfur advances.
Women carrying wood.
Why Solar Cookers?
The solar cooker is a simple, appropriate tool for use in the hot sunny conditions of the region.
Solar cooking:
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Reduces fire wood gathering and the related exposure to sexual violence;
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Reduces the consumption of firewood, slowing deforestation;
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Saves time. Women have time and energy for other important child-rearing and household activities;
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Presents no risk of burns to small children or food;
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Potentially provides employment for women who make and sell the cookers.
A Solar Cooker heating food.
How does the Solar Cooker Work?
A solar cooker converts the suns rays into heat. The solar Cookit is made of cardboard panels that focus sunlight on a black metal pot of food. The pot absorbs and retains heat. A clear polypropylene bag secured around the pot creates an insulating barrier of air, allowing the temperature to reach 250 degrees F -sufficient to cook several liters of food in a few hours.
Sudanese woman preparing food for the solar cooker .
What is the Solar Cooker Project?
The project is the brainchild of Steve Harrigan. After extensive research, consultation and experimentation with various solar cooker models, Steve prepared a solar cooking training model and manual.
In May 2007 and February 2008, training workshops were conducted in six locations:
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Kalma and Saliki IDP camps near Nyala, South Darfur;
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El Fasher town and Kassab IDP camp in North Darfur;
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Omdurman and Haj Yousif in Khartoum.
Over 100 trainees learned to make solar cookers from materials acquired locally. Enthusiasm replaced initial skepticism; the workshop participants quickly recognized the time- and money-saving benefits of the cookers, and learned to prepare all of the traditional Sudanese foods.
Workshop participants graduated to User-Trainers. They continue to experiment with recipes, develop cooking-time charts and conduct training workshops within their communities. DPDO subsidizes training workshops and purchases materials.
Solar Cooker Trainees
How much does a Solar Cooker Cost?
The cost of one Solar Cooker kit - and training -- is $30.
The cost includes:
• Cardboard (4- or 5-ply thickness);
• Aluminum foil, glue;
• Two cooking pots;
• Paint for pots, brushes, cutting tools;
• One year's supply of cooking bags (approximately 24);
• Shipping costs within Sudan
• Training
What are the prospects for this project?
Changing the habits of cooking come slowly to most people.
DPDO believes that three to five years will be required for training and follow up to ensure that the solar cooker is widely adopted. Investing time, energy, and funding in training is the key to success of this initiative.
DPDO will also introduce the technology at local schools. Each child is a natural bridge to households where the use and creative application of this tool can be encouraged.
For project information, contact:
Stephen Harrigan
Darfur Solar Cookers Project Manager
E-mail: Steve@darfurpeace.org
Cell: 260-486-5588
Office: 202-393-8150
Your tax-deductible donation helps this project succeed. Please note Solar Cooker in memo line.
Mail
Darfur Peace and Development
P.O. Box 90
Washington DC 20044
Links:
DPDO Reports
www.solarcookers.org
www.womencommission.org/pdf/fuel.pdf
