the trans world radio solar cooker project in kenya
1)
by the end
of 1992 the solar cooker project (s.c.p.) was started as a consequence of the
africa challenge program. the solar cooker is a concrete help and answer to the
physical and material needs of the twr-listeners.
2) erosion is a big problem in many parts of africa. because of the shortage of rain or otherwise to heavy rains. the continent consist in its north by 80% of savannah� with few vegetation like bushes and trees. even so, as a main source for energy in the rural areas firewood and charcoal is used. it is often cut or produced illegally. the increasing use is making erosion even worse.
3) the solar box cooker offers the opportunity, to reduce the consumption for expensive and solid fossil fuel. it will not subsidise the traditionally energies, but the consequences for the environment and regarding the finances for someone�s household are given.
4) the solar cooker (also called box-cooker) produces the necessary heat for the cooking (up to 160�c, equivalent to 320�f) with the help of the sun only. therefore sufficient sunshine is necessary. a cloudy sky is hindering the cooking�process. it works like in a green-house, catching the sun by absorbing the light-rays on black surfaces, transforming the light to heat and storing it effectively. it is a slow way of cooking compared to the time needed on a fire as traditionally done. but there is no need to control the cooking or to look after the food for stirring. the solar box cooker may not replace the need of firewood but you need much less. so the gathering of firewood will less often necessary and also you can do different kind of job will food is getting ready in the solar cooker.
5) since the project started in 1992 up to date (may 2001) approx. 2350 cookers have been made and distributed . the production was financially supported by donors of various countries. after a proper training to promoters (pastors, teachers, women-group-leaders) on how to use the solar box cooker it has been given out mostly for free. by 1995 cookers have been delivered to the kakuma refugee-camp (in the north-west of kenya).
6) later
developments���������
since 1996 it was tried to intensify the introduction to rural areas by doing
more seminars on cooking to interested groups. since then approx. 15 trips have
been undertaken annually within kenya. those demonstration-tours may take one
day only or even up to two weeks whereby different church-groups, women-groups
or self-help-groups are met for to give a one-day-seminars on how to use the
cookers. for the same reason we are participating in exhibitions, especially in
upcountry-places. because of the necessary follow-up we try to visit those met
before about twice a year.�����
the real value of the cookers are only considered in the right way if we do not
give them out for free but do ask for an equivalent payment. this based on the
expenses for the materials mainly and on a very small part on our
production-costs. the price for the standard size cooker for example
(2,300/-kshs; 29us$; rate june 2001: 79 kshs / 1 us$)
is equivalent to a half of a monthly � income earned by a farmers-family
upcountry). through that we have been able to cover in 1999 about 8% and in
2000 about 9% of our local project expenses.�����
in 2000 we trained local carpenters within the refugee-camp of dadaab
(north-east of kenya) to construct and maintain solar box cookers on their own.
we do have in mind to continue with more training in that and other
refugee-camps and also in various location within kenya and even beyond the
border.
7) number of
staff and output����������
currently the project occupies 3 carpenters and one trainee at a workshop in
nairobi. apart from the manufacturing of the cookers they are also involved in
the distribution ad training of various groups on how to use them to cook different
dishes.������
the responsibility of the project is lead by the german partner of twr-kenya,
that is erf (evangeliums rundfunk deutschland e.v.) who is occupying one
technical staff for the project.�����
in 1999 a number of 150 box-cookers had been manufactured and distributed ,
while in 2000 the number increased to 250.����������
after training of several local carpenters as co-workers in various locations
upcountry we do hope to increase the number further.�����
the materials for the boxes (plywood, sheet-metal, glass, glue, paint, nails
and screws) are all locally available, therefore it is a real kenyan product.
8)
feedback�s����������
reliable statements concerning the use of the cookers is found best by doing
personnel follow-up-visits. feedback by letter is rarely happening because of
the illiteracy. however by creating a form for this feedback is increasing.
approx. 2/3 of those women who got the cooker do report that they are using it
regular to prepare local food (maize-porridge �ugali�, vegetable, rice, maize
and beans, cake, meat or fish). others are using the solar box cooker among
their women-group to bake cookies or cakes for income of their group by sale.�����������
because of good contacts to various groups, especially to church related, those
who also listen to the christian programmes of twr (approx. more than 80% of
the kenyan population belongs to different christian churches) we get enough
invitations to carry out more seminars. after a successful
cooking-demonstration we usually receive orders either by individual women or
through local contact-partners, like teachers, group-leaders or pastors.��
the cooking usually is related to lots of traditions among each tribe.
therefore what remains is more training on this still not very well known way
of cooking. it takes time to change someone habits, to teach realistic
expectations when food is cooked by the sun and to create more awareness
regarding this alternative and environmental friendly way of cooking. �����
through the connection of trans world radio and the project we also have
produced radio-programmes about this cooker, which content is linked to
christian values. as a consequence the interest and the demand for the cooker
has increased.
horst rettberg projekt-leiter
trans world radio (twr)
solar cooker department
project co-ordinator
p.o. box 21514 nairobi - kenya tel. +254 (0)2 573936
fax +254 (0)2 573949