Friday the 18th of August 2003 ¾ the official launch of Solar Cookers International’s Sunny Solutions project in Nyakach, Kenya ¾ dawned with leaden skies and much praying for a perfect solar cooking day. By early morning at the NYACODA offices in Katito, located in the Nyando District near Lake Victoria in western Kenya, preparation of favorite solar dishes such as ugali, omena, green grams, cake, talapia and rice was well underway in a joyful, reunion-like atmosphere. This was the first opportunity for the Sunny Solutions trainers, who had undergone training with Solar Cookers International (SCI) the previous week, to come together as a group once again. It was a pleasure to share in the camaraderie of these women who have made a difference in their own lives by using solar energy to cook food and pasteurize water and who are committed to spreading this knowledge to others.

Sunny Solutions trainers with their solar-cooked dishes

Refugees who had traveled from Kakuma refugee camp to Katito ¾ together with our Ugandan solar friends Amos, Patrick and Jolly ¾ helped in the preparation of solar-cooked foods. The refugees have learned much more from their involvement in SCI’s Kakuma solar cooking project than just how to solar cook. These young people arrived in Kenya from their homelands eight years ago as teenagers and are now self-confident, articulate adults equipped with many skills. Shadrack, Anthony and James shared fond memories and cultural insights into their former lives, which they miss.

All told, solar cooks from six nations ¾ Uganda, Sudan, Kenya, USA, Canada and Australia ¾ helped prepare food for the launch.

It had rained the night before so the tarpaulins erected for the grand occasion were emptied of water, which was stored for later use. Chairs were unloaded and set up under the tarpaulins, a sound system and generator were installed, and tables and chairs, together with cotton tablecloths and fine china, were assembled in the hall for dignitaries.

By early afternoon many guests had started to arrive on foot. While the weather was very warm, the low clouds were still not interested in moving on. As guests and officials arrived they were shown a number of solar cookers, including many CooKits, a couple of solar box cookers, and a parabolic cooker. Much interest was generated. As trainers lined up to receive guests and explain how solar cookers work, the sun decided to shine!

Guests and officials line up to view cookers and ask questions

Many local school children wore traditional outfits and sang and danced energetically to songs prepared especially for the occasion. These children were fantastic! You could look along the rows of seated guests and see legions of feet and hands tapping out the rhythm. Next, the Sunny Solutions trainers sang and danced to songs they learned the previous week. It must have been contagious, because it wasn’t long before Margaret (Owino, SCI’s eastern Africa regional representative), Pascale (Dennery, SCI’s program manager), Dinah (Chienjo, Sunny Solutions project officer), Bob (Metcalf, SCI volunteer) and I were up dancing too, adding to the amusement of the crowd, which had grown to nearly 500.

Local children celebrate the launch through song and dance

Kenyans love speeches and this was a wonderful occasion to reflect on the achievements of NYACODA (SCI’s Sunny Solutions partner organization), the local schooling system, various local dignitaries, and, most importantly, the aspirations and achievements of SCI. Some solar dishes were ready by the end of the speeches; so dignitaries were treated to solar-cooked roasted peanuts, beef stew and a few other items. All guests then enjoyed a catered feast.

It seems to me, after having spent two weeks in Nyando district, that SCI has made a good choice in siting the project here. Results of the February 2003 pre-project assessment support this claim.

Like the welcome into the world of a baby, Sunny Solutions has been launched in a grand manner!

Contact: Christine Polinelli. E-mail: Christine.Polinelli@health.gov.au

Christine Polinelli, a health worker from Australia, has on multiple occasions worked alongside Dr. Bob Metcalf on water testing and solar pasteurization projects in Africa.

Note: SCI’s Kenya office will display a recognition plaque listing Sunny Solutions supporters. A representation of that plaque can be seen on the next page. As always, our deepest thanks go to those who make the spread of solar cooking a reality. Thank you!

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