Tracking clean cookstoves & fuel in Haiti

Dear friends and supporters,

We are happy to report on PPAF project activities in Haiti since last October.  But first, thanks again for the generous response to our Giving Tuesday appeal and the 2021 year-end gifts that many of you made.  Your support is vital and much appreciated. 

PPAF's work for tracking awareness and use of solar cookers and biodigesters in Haiti is advancing in several ways in three locations.  In today’s report we want to highlight the contributions of two young Haitian colleagues, one in Hinche and one in Jacmel. 

This report’s cover illustration shows a solar cooking demonstration in progress, and a girl helping to bake a solar-cooked cake.  Our colleague in Hinche (Elie Joseph) has been focusing mostly on demonstrations.  The one in Jacmel (Fedno Lubin) has been providing data and photos since last July on recipes prepared mostly by neighbors. Both have recently produced short videos about the environmental and health damage caused by the great dependence of Haitian families on charcoal for cooking, and the possibilities of solar cooking as an alternative. 

Please open the Welcome page of  www.ppafoundation.org and follow the links to see the French and English versions of Fedno's video, two items from Elie, and one month’s set of solar cooking photos and summary information from Fedno. 

Elie’s social media postings have inspired leaders of a community action nonprofit in Hinche to connect with the university where PPAF supports the solar and bio course.  Plans for a project to expand awareness and use of solar cooking from the campus into the community are now taking shape.

Last week Elie reported a conversation that touched his heart – Visiting a school outside Hinche he learned that people are paid to look for wood so the school can cook lunch.  The director asked for help with solar cookers.  He confided that as an educator he saw it not right to destroy the environment, a gift from God. He hoped to become a protector and not a destroyer of it. 

As for Fedno, he applied in January for a young photographers’ award from a Haitian arts institute.  He was not chosen but gained valuable experience and created the draft of his video.  Also, PPAF sent him to Cotes de Fer to begin a relationship with the KDCK community center, where we provide support to its solar and biogas program.  The head of KDCK was there for a supervisory visit, was impressed with his skills, and has invited him periodically to return and help in going forward. 

Regarding the ongoing PPAF work, described in previous reports to GlobalGiving:  At the University Notre Dame d’Haiti in Hinche, the solar and bio course is part way through a new semester.  At the Art Creation Foundation for Children in Jacmel, our support continues for classes on solar cooking and sewing.  At the KDCK community center in Cotes de Fer, the biodigester we supplied, plus solar cookers from others, provide cooking gas, garden fertilizer, and materials for a cooking class for persons aiming toward food service jobs.

Thank you for your support!  Again, please have a look at the items mentioned at www.ppafoundation.org, and at the materials attached to this report, and join in our enthusiasm!

Links:

• PPAF website - open the Welcome Page & follow the links!