I was having many mixed emotions as we approached Oloshoibor and the preparations for the solar cooker class. MWEEP had partnered with Solar Cookers International Kenya (http://www.solarcookers.org/) to offer 20 women the chance to learn about solar cookers and why this would be beneficial to them, their families and the environment.
The day began with some clouds overhead and I was wondering if this would really work and if it would work should there be clouds. The class was held at the Community Conference Site called SeuSeu. When our van loaded with supplies arrived women were already beginning to walk to the site. Rosemary, the chairlady of MWEEP Kenya, had hosted the trainers overnight.
During the set up process, Faustine the head trainer, had women begin to prep the vegetables and set up the cookers.
The cookers would have vegetables
dishes that the women traditionally
dishes that the women traditionally
cook. They also cooked rice and ugali as well as beans. The highlight was being able to cook meat and bake a cake and cupcakes.
While the food was cooking, and after a chai break, the women went indoors for the instruction about WHY solar cooking is important, HOW it will benefit them, and HOW the cooker is made.
Faustine and her daughter Stella were amazing instructors. They gave the women lots of information, and had the women contributing what they knew and LAUGHING. A GREAT TIME WAS HAD BY ALL. They also learned about the fireless cookers. All you need is an insulated basket, cook you food for a few minutes on the fire and then it finishes cooking in the basket.
The day was very successful. Everyone was delighted to be going home with their own solar cookit (foil cooker, pot, plastic heat trapping bags), they were filled with ideas of what they would try cooking at home. There were comments of how the food didn't get burned or didn't taste smokey. They were amazed that you didn't need to stir the pot. They said, "now I can do other things while the food is cooking." MWEEP was filled with gratitude for all the work that Faustine and Stella did to bring this class to Oloshoibor and for their wonderful teaching and spirit.
THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!!!!
