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Solar cookers for families in Tajik mountains

30.06.2016

Thanks to the funds collected by a Norwegian volunteer, nine families, who were affected by the earthquake that struck the Bartang Valley of the Pamir Mountains in Tajikistan in December 2015, received solar parabolic cookers. Little Earth can be proud of its volunteers. Several years ago, a woman from Norway, Helga Lerkelund, joined the Little Earth team. Lerkelund came to Tajikistan as an international volunteer, and worked at the organization for a year. For its projects, Lerkelund visited some of the remote villages in Bartang River Valley, where she met young activists and was fascinated by the beauty of nature and the hospitality of the locals. Later Lerkelund returned back home to Norway where she continued to work for the environmental organization.

Last December, some areas of the Pamirs were seriously affected by an earthquake that registered 7.2 on the Richter scale. The villages of the upper part of the Bartang Valley were severely damaged. Hundreds of houses and a number of schools, health centres and bridges were destroyed. For some time the road was closed, dozens of people were relocated and left their homes. When Lerkelund heard about the earthquake in Bartang, she could not stay away and decided to collect funds to help the affected people.

Lerkelund initiated a fundraising campaign on her Facebook page and asked friends and colleagues to respond to her call for help. Within a few weeks she was able to collect a small amount of money, which she decided to spend on the solar parabolic cookers for the families most affected by the earthquake. The NGO, Oyandasoz, Little Earth’s local partner based in Bartang Valley, helped to prepare a list of recipients. In turn, Little Earth helped to purchase and distribute solar cookers to the families.

In the middle of June 2016 staff members of Little Earth delivered solar cookers to the Bartang Valley. Cookers were assembled on place together with local residents. The new owners were trained on safe and proper use of the devices. Some beneficiaries began testing the parabolic cookers right away. For example, in Kudara Village they boiled water in the kettle and had tea ready in 15 minutes. Sunny summer is ahead and residents will be able not only to boil water, but also to cook food, using a clean source of energy. In total, nine solar cookers were distributed among selected families in Kudara, Bopasor, Ruhch, Nisur and Pasor villages.

Solar cookers will help to significantly reduce the consumption of firewood on sunny days. They are smoke-free and easy to use. Their use will help affected families to improve sanitary conditions and make easier their daily life. They will spend less time collecting firewood and avoid smoke by cooking on traditional stoves. We thank Lerkelund and all those who responded to her request for help for this good deed!

News and photo by Timur Idrisov of Little Earth

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