A Project to promote and spread economic cookers and solar ovens in Isalo (Uganda), 2010.

During last December the first phase of the project to introduce economic cookers and solar ovens in the community of Isalo, has been realized. Isalo is situated in a rural area next to Lake Kyoga, in the Kaliro district. This project is a collaboration between the local NGO Women First and Sol Solidari, headed by Agnes and Joseph, who work together to improve the women’s conditions of life. Through these shared activities the conditions of the entire families and also of the environment will improve by promoting the women’s economic development andby trying to organize their role in this rural society. In Isalo, like everywhere in the country there is an enormous pressure caused by high population numbers and its eminently rural character.

On this occasion we have worked with economic cookers of the type ‘rocket stove'’ and with solar ovens.

Demonstration session about the saving of wood and smoke in relation to traditional three-stones fire.

The economic cookers have been made in Jinja, the second biggest city in this country and the seat of Women First. They have given a very good result with an accurate design, resistant and with a good price. These cookers have been accompanied by what they there call Hay basket or Fireless cooker, a well-isolated basket (with a thick layer of cotton in this case, because of its production here). With this tool it is possible to finish cooking the warm food, already at cooking temperature, by keeping its temperature stable. So that much less wood is needed and the next day one can have a hot meal without having to cook again.

The material has been received very positively and we are already working with Women First to extend the distribution at subsidized prices.

As to the solar ovens, for which we received economical help from Europastry, they have been destined to women’s groups to start small businesses to make bread. All around Uganda you’ll find a type of industrial, soft bread which is perhaps a heritage of the English colonial past. Bread is important in the country’s gastronomical culture therefore Women First sees good business-opportunities for the women of Isalo.

Finally, just as a demonstration, a couple of parabolic solar cookers SK-14 were taken there, to be destined to the local school and a health centre.

At the moment we are working already in continuation of the project in Idalo. Women First has proven to be an excellent counterpart, very efficient and very near to the population we are working with. We shall continue with the introduction of the economic cookers, we shall take care of the follow-up and improve the solar ovens for the bread production. We are also working on the introduction of solar illumination kits at subsidized prices. Agnes and Joseph have shown great interest in this idea.

Thank you very much Agnes and Joseph, thank you so much Damali, Rebecca and Martha!