$470 funded the purchase of solar cookers for 47 vulnerable, elderly, and disabled refugee families at Kakuma Camp in Kenya through Solar Cookers International. Solar cookers help spare trees from being cut down for firewood, eliminate noxious gases from being emitted into the air as a result of burning wood, and remove the need for people to travel long distances to collect wood.

According to the program manager at Solar Cookers International: "Your offer comes at an opportune time as no firewood has been distributed at the camp for the last three months, which has been particularly hard on families already facing many challenges.

We have found that providing an alternative to cooking on fire is particularly beneficial to the disabled and elderly. Vulnerable refugees who already solar cook report that solar cooking has improved their lives by reducing the risk of burns from fires, allowing them to keep food they otherwise would need to trade for firewood, and helping them feel less dependent on others."

Message from the executive director of SCI Bev Blum.

Returning after four years absence, I find Solar Cookers International (SCI) is strong, vibrant and moving ahead impressively. It has been a joy to re contacts with hundreds of advocates working to spread awareness of one solution that comes up every morning. SCI’s small, dedicated staff ¾ six people in the USA and six people in Kenya ¾ are simply the best and truly inspiring to work with.

At its annual board retreat, SCI’s directors reviewed a list of twenty countries in the world where solar cooking could benefit the most people. It pledged SCI to a vision that by the year 2020 at least three of these countries will have self-sustaining spread of solar cooking and at least five more will have wide public awareness of solar cooking’s usefulness.

Having empowered tens of thousands of refugees to solar cook, and having documented high uptake and use, SCI is now expanding to settled communities, where businesses, self-help groups and government agencies can spread this clean, safe, simple technology much more widely.

And, having exchanged information with thousands of solar cooking advocates through correspondence and conferences, SCI is now consolidating expertise and expanding two websites for greater worldwide access to rapidly growing developments.

A recent gathering to thank SCI friends in York was hosted by distinguished artist Mary Frank. Two of SCI’s volunteer advocates at United Nations meetings, Joyce Jett of Geneva and Deling Wang of York, were publicly thanked.

As we approach the year-end season of giving, your thoughtful contribution now will go to work immediately. Many millions still wait for the gift of knowing how to solar cook. On behalf of them, a million thanks to you for your support.

Power to do good

¤ Support Solar Cookers International (SCI) by giving what you can
¤ Honor loved ones on special occasions
¤ Designate some percent to SCI in wills and insurance policies
¤ Give stocks or real estate for income and estate tax benefits
¤ Urge friends and family to support SCI

Why not honor friends and family with a gift to Solar Cookers International? We’ll print their name and yours in the next Solar Cooker Review. Contact Susan Mahoney by telephone: (916) 455-4499 or e-mail: susan@solarcookers.org.

Learn more at: www.solarcooking.org