Solar Cooker Project for Women from Darfur
On July 23rd, Ron Garan tweeted a photo of fires over Southern and Central Africa, taken from Space.
Witnessing photographic evidence of such large scale environmental damage was both shocking and perplexing. What was going on?
To find out more, I visited the NASA website and checked out a report posted by Goddard Space Center's Rob Gutro and Dr. James Acker. The report included a map titled "Aura Satellite Measures Pollution "Butterfly" from Fires in Central Africa.
Turns out, "Each year, people in the region burn croplands to clear fields after harvests. Burning is also used to create new growth in pastures and move grazing animals to new locations."
The post went on to explain the hazardous affects of "Low-level ozone (smog)' on 'the health of both plants and animals' and provided a detailed technical run explaining how this kind of environmental shift impacts 'respiratory problems in humans."
Additional Googling lead me to a report posted on the National Institute of Health website, stating: "Respiratory illness is the major cause of mortality and morbidity in African children."
Back in 2008, I discovered the Solar Cooker Project through my volunteer work with Jewish World Watch. It is a refreshingly simple way of supporting refugees from Darfur while reducing circumstances that can cause accidental fires to start.
My hope is that shining light on this successful alternative energy project, will inspire others in the region to explore less toxic food production and preparation technologies.
energy Visit Project WebsiteLOCATION: Chad
The Fragile Oasis Medals
Every year, all Fragile Oasis projects are eligible to receive one of three Fragile Oasis Medals. Learn more about the medals on the blog. Should this project receive one? Let us know:
- Vote for the Education Medal.
- Vote for the Humanitarian Service Medal.
- Vote for the Peace Medal.
148 VOTES FOR THE PROJECT
Followers of this project
July 29, 2011
Susanna S.
w00t!! Solar Cookers even have their own Wikia: http://bit.ly/oAJhnx
July 29, 2011
Rachel A.
Please go to www.solarcookerproject.org for more info on how to help keep Darfuri women and girls safe inside the refugee camps where they are living. THANKS!
Rachel Andres\
Director, Solar Cooker Project
Jewish World Watch
July 31, 2011
Susanna S.
Thanks, Rachel.
July 31, 2011
daniel y.
I love the simplicity and advantage of the solar cookers. Not only can you cook food just fine with these you can also clean or boil water and takes only 1 minute an extra minute is needed for every mile above sea level. Solar cookers can get up to 250oF or so, well above the 212oF needed to boil the water. Not only would this be useful in Africa, but would be a great fix for Gaza since Israel has been destroying their infrastructure and blockading their aid to resolve this problem. Over 95% of these people have no clean drinking water. Glad to see the support of this simple technology to solve real world problems.
July 31, 2011
Susanna S.
@Icarusfactor --> The Jewish World Watch Solar Cooker project helps protect refugee women and girls living in Africa. Gaza is not in Africa. It is in Asia.
Aug. 3, 2011
Ben T.
Awesome Project! Keep up the good work!
Aug. 3, 2011
Susanna S.
Thanks for your support, Ben! Now that we're **featured** either Ron or one of his International Space Station colleagues will try (logistical permitting) to photograph the Farchana refugee camp in Chad where the Solar Cooker Project just launched in its 4th camp!! Please continue voting for us so we can be considered for a medal.
Aug. 5, 2011
Lynne D.
i just noticed that it says "Voting for this project has ended" but you can still vote for the MEDALS! Everyone vote! I support the incredible Solar Cooker Project because it not only protects women and girls but also the environment.
Aug. 5, 2011
Rachel A.
Thanks for all your support! Go to our website for more information www.solarcookerproject.org
Rachel
Aug. 5, 2011
Rachel A.
It says "Voting for this project has ended but you can still vote for the medals!
Aug. 5, 2011
Elyse David
This is correct. Once a project reaches "Featured" status as a result of receiving the most votes in a cycle, voting for the project ends. All projects are eligible for a Fragile Oasis Prize, regardless of status. :)
Sept. 9, 2011
David C.
I was very glad to see this project. My STAND chapter did this a few years ago for the Darfurian refugees so that the women did not have to leave the refuge camps and run the risk of getting raped. When I saw that Fragile Oasis was doing this one, I knew it would help hundreds of people
Dec. 16, 2012
Douglas B.
From first hand experience with a similar solar cooker I can say it works, it can be delivered economically, and it carries well. Clearly an effective quality of daily life tool.