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Nicaragua With groups of 12 to 15 women in their own communities, we conduct participatory workshops during which we build and use solar cookers using the “PROCESO” model. With the efforts of each woman and her family, along with the economic support of various institutions and contributions from Centro Girasoles, they come together to develop a series of activities which promote organized collective work in the construction of their own personal solar cooker. The solar cookers reach average temperatures of 150º C (300° F) with good sun. The design and technological improvements have come from the daily experiences of both popular and academic scientists. This model responds to local characteristics and needs to cook the food for one family in Central America. When each family has their own solar cooker in their home, we develop new activities which generate the sharing of ideas, recipes and experiences which motivate the optimal use of each cooker. The frequent use of the solar cooker in the cooking of food allows for great savings in the use of fire wood, gas or electricity. It also carries added advantages and benefits for our health, our economy and our environment. The training and support to each group also seeks to generate complementary projects which contribute to the integrated development of people and communities. Benefits of solar cooking: § To learn to use the sun each day. § To share and develop technologies which are appropriate for our communities. § To help motivate the sociocultural transformation of our families by the incorporation of new and healthier forms of cooking, eating and living. § To improve personal health and the environmental health of our abused planet.
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 Central American Solar Energy Project 1400 East Market Street Charlottesville, VA 22902 casep@earthlink.net |