Orientation stage and plan of approach
We only start a project when there is a local request (usually from an NGO) or when there is a need for (Integrated) Solar Cooking. The requestor sends a plan of approach / business plan. If necessary, we make a plan of approach together with the requestor. The plan is based on their knowledge of the local situation and our experience with previous projects. This leads to a unique plan, suited to the community into which (ISC) is to be introduced.
If the plan meets certain criteria, the local organisation may obtain a subsidy from e.g. Wilde Ganzen. Or Solar Cooking KoZon looks for a sponsor, e.g. a company, an organisation or an institution.
Implementation stage
Usually the implementation phase of the CooKit (Solar Box), the hay basket and the wood-saving cooking appliance follows the trend below:
- Public information and marketing: Create interest and raise awareness among potential users (often women) and decision-makers (e.g. local authorities, village elders)
- Cooking groups and home-cooking parties: Acquire skills (competences) in the preparation of food, adapt to and integrate into existing customs. Distribution and sale of cooking appliances.
- Organisational structure: Build an infrastructure that guarantees the availability of Solar and wood-saving cooking appliances and that disseminates knowledge.
Execution stage
The execution stage spans several years depending on the size of the project (number of women, local manufacture, etc.).
In the early stages, instructors are selected from the targeted locations, and trained to be able to provide women with information and to teach them Integrated Solar Cooking techniques. At public gatherings anyone who is interested in ISC can obtain information on what it entails and roughly how it works. Instructors are educators as well as ISC marketers. They can also generate income through the sale of ISC cooking appliances.
During the execution stage, women can learn how to make CooKits, hay baskets and wood-saving cooking appliances. It will enable them to earn money as well. We determine together with the NGO when to start. This depends also on available means and materials.
Training stage
Next comes the training program for a previously selected number of women. The NGO determines who will attend the Solar Cooking classes and which groups will come next. Training results are markedly better when groups of women are chosen who live and cook in the same neighbourhoods. The training includes a number of lessons.
During the project stage we, together with the NGO, determine within which time frame a number of groups can be trained. Training program
Completion stage
During this stage, an infrastructure is created and completed in such a way that the availability of ISC cooking appliances is and remains guaranteed and knowledge is disseminated.