Darfur Peace and Development

Training displaced women to make and use solar-powered cookers

The task of preparing a meal in Darfur brings a challenging set of problems and risks. The persistent conflict in Darfur has led to the deforestation of areas around IDP camps. Shortages of fuel wood have had severe negative impact on the safety and survival of Darfuri women, the primary collectors of firewood. Each month they must travel increasingly long distances to find wood for fuel. The personal danger inherent in the chore is formidable: women are at high risk of attacks and sexual abuse once they leave the camp. And as households consumes the limited energy source, the deforestation of Darfur advances.

With over two million displaced people — mainly women and children — the cycle of degradation and shortages will continue in Darfur unless effective alternatives are implemented.

Why Solar Cookers?

The solar cooker is a simple, appropriate tool for use in the hot, dry conditions of Darfur. All types of local foods can be cooked using this cooker. While the technology does not eliminate wood-fueled cooking during rainy periods, it does deliver key benefits:

Solar cooking:

• Reduces fire wood gathering and the related exposure to sexual violence;
• Reduces the consumption of firewood, slowing deforestation;
• Saves time. Women have time and energy for other important child-rearing and household activities;
• Presents no risk of burns to small children or food;
  

  Training workshop graduates with their certificates and cookers

• Potentially provides employment for women who make and sell the cookers.

How does the Solar Cooker Work? A solar cooker converts the suns rays into heat. The solar Cookit model 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.

Click the following links to see videos on the Darfur Solar Cookers Program, created by Stephen Harrigan:

Solar Cooking in Kassab Camp, North Darfur

Solar Cooking in Sakali Camp, North Darfur

Solar Cooker Workshop in Darfur

Solar Cooker Workshop in Khartoum

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: Kalma and Saliki IDP camps in South Darfur, El Fasher town and Kassab IDP camp in North Darfur, and 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 provides supplies and training expertise, manuals, and follow-up assessment of use.

Click here to see chart of Solar Cooker Trainees 2006-2009.

Upcoming training workshops

DPDO Solar Cooker Program Coordinator, Ali Eisa, has confirmed that 184 participants have graduated from Solar Cooker Training Workshops in 2009. He has scheduled Winter Training Workshops in several locations throughout Darfur, including the DPDO Women’s Centers in Kassab and Abu-Shouk camps.

Over 320 Darfuris have graduated from DPDO’s Solar Cooker Training Workshops since the start of the program in 2006. The program’s continued operation depends on donor support. DPDO is able to hold additional workshops and train additional families with your financial support of the Darfur Solar Cookers Program.

US Special Envoy to Sudan Scott Gration visited DPDO’s Women’s Center in Abu Shouk IDP camp in September 2009. Many women in the Center had completed a Solar Cooker Training Workshop and were utilizing solar cookers. Mr. Gration was impressed with their efforts and tasted rice that had been cooked with a solar cooker.

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, and 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

View additional photos from the Solar Cooker Program:

Links:

DPDO Reports www.solarcookers.org www.womencommission.org/pdf/fuel.pdf

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Darfur Peace & Development Organization P.O. Box 66475 Washington, DC 20035-6475