Case study: Mujeres solares de Totogalpa – Nicaragua

The Solar Women of Totogalpa (Mujeres solares de Totogalpa) is a group of nearly two dozen women, mostly single mothers with little time or money, who recognised the potential benefits solar cookers and solar food dryers could bring to themselves and their community. Solar cookers heat food using only direct energy of the sun, which has many advantages over conventional wood burning ovens that are used traditionally throughout Nicaragua. Use of the solar cookers means that there is no burning wood which helps families save money, puts less pressure on the deforestation and environment of Nicaragua, avoids the respiratory health risks associated with indoor fires, and has a positive overall effect in the effort to curtail climate change.. The women frequently use solar cookers to roast coffee, as well as to cook meat, rice, eggs, beans, and bananas. Some of them use the solar cookers to produce items for sale, such as baked goods, candies, and roast coffee. The Solar Women have been learning about and teaching solar cooking and drying for several years Theyteach others to make solar cookers from simple materials like scrap cardboard and aluminum foil, but also manufacture and sell solar box cookers made from durable materials like metal and wood. The Solar Women have received national and international recognition for their dedication to sustainable development and for serving as a model to other communities in Nicaragua and beyond. They are soon to open their solar restaurant in Latin America. Located in the small village of Sabana Grande, it will offer solar cooked foods, solar dried fruits and coffee, and will be powered by photovoltaics.
Summary adapted from source More on the project can be found at http://www.grupofenix.org/SWT.html (in English) http://www.saluddelsol.org/partners/las-mujeres-solares/ (in Spanish)