1. Introduction

Schools in the previously disadvantaged suburb of Alexandra are faced with the immense problems of feeding hundreds of children at their schools. Most of these children are from child headed families or families that do not have a breadwinner. As a result the schools have to utilise electricity, gas or wood which they cannot afford financially. Added to this, the air quality in these areas is consequently very poor, causing severe respiratory problems further burdening a poverty stricken community.

2. Why solar cookers?

Solar cookers only carry a “once off” cost
Once a solar cooker has been purchased for a school, the school need not pay any further costs on a regular basis for fuel or electricity.

Solar cookers emit no direct emissions
Once the solar cookers are manufactured they emit no more greenhouse gases and air pollutants. This means that we can lower the air pollution in the suburb of Alexandra and save about three tons of carbon per annum.

Solar cookers provide an amazing amount of curriculum linked learning opportunities
The children at the school will be able to touch and see the solar cookers in action and learn about concepts such as Sustainable Energy.

3. How do we go about such a project at the school?

First we hold a workshop:
This workshop will first focus on issues such as climate change, global warming and general air quality concepts. From here the workshop will flow into the practical aspects of solar cooking

And then…
We take the solar cooker to the school and the children themselves get “hand on” and build the cooker as part of a Design and Technology lesson.

4. Conclusion

Having installed these cookers at schools already, we are convinced that they are an essential part of a schools ability to cater for the children requiring food. While they are not able to cook for all the learners at the same time the installed cookers have already attained substantial financial savings for the schools.