What is SHE doing here?

Mar 20th, 2009 12:56 PM UTC
By Chris Scott

Recently, Marie-Ange Binagwaho of Solar Household Energy, Inc. (SHE) came and spoke to some ONE staff about her exciting organization and the benefits of solar cooking in poor countries. As you might know, many countries—over half the world’s population in fact—rely on biomass such as wood and crop residue for cooking. This reliance on wood has a tremendous environmental and social impact, and can often be a very big hindrance for development in impoverished countries.

SHE partners with local NGO’s in countries such as Senegal, El Salvador, and Cameroon to provide solar alternatives to communities that are considerably more affordable and efficient. Many countries are currently harvesting wood for cooking at unsustainable rates, and this practices often disproportionately affects women and children who regularly spend up to a third of their day collecting wood. By going into communities and providing hot pots (pictured below) and intensive hands-on training, SHE seeks to advocate for solar cooking as a viable alternative to wood.

Ms. Binagwaho brought a couple different hot pots with her—one made from aluminum, and a cheaper model made from cardboard—that are relatively cheap, are without negative health impacts, and fully capable of harnessing a free energy source… the sun!

Below is a picture of the demonstration and a couple on-the-ground testimonials from people who now use solar energy for cooking. You can learn more about SHE here.

Maty, a 14 year old girl, loves the HP because she can go play with her friends instead of staying at home cooking dinner. Maty sets the HP out at noon while her mom is cooking lunch. She goes out to play with her friends and she returns to her house in the evening to warm the food with the fire and serve the food.

Sam Ndiaye, Senegal, Maty Ndiaye fille de Nogaye Mbaye, May 28, 2008

Maimouna, a school teacher, sets up the HP and cooks food while she teaches classes. She can watch the HP from the window in her classroom and make adjustments as needed. She often prepares sauces because it saves her time. Institutrice Drabo, Maimouna à Badialédaga Départment de Lèna province de Hauet.

Bobo Dioulasso, Burkina Faso, June 7, 2008

-Chris Scott

TAGS: ONE