Our Story

Friends helping friends use the power of the sun to enrich lives…

In a half-day, most Americans use more electricity than people in southern Tanzania, East Africa, use in a year. In Tanzania, most of the energy used for cooking comes from wood. Because the forests are receding, people have to travel farther on foot to find food. When using a wood fire, the women who cook and their small children are exposed to hazardous smoke and respiratory disease. Solar cooking is healthier and less costly. The sun's energy is free, making it easier to cook protein-rich foods like beans and to purify water. Preparation time is also reduced because armloads of wood need not be gathered.

Solar Circle is a non-profit organization working to establish solar cooking in Tanzania. A few years ago, Solar Circle transported two dozen sun ovens to Masasi, Tanzania, where they were enthusiastically received. There was only one problem. People quickly saw the impossibility of importing enough ovens to overcome their high purchase and transport costs. Consequently, Solar Circle is starting a small industry in Tanzania to build the ovens.

Mlelwa, one Tanzanian who built a solar oven, coined a new proverb: “People say ‘Jua kali,' but we know ‘Jua ni mali .'” (People say the sun is hot today, but we know the hot sun is wealth). Tanzanian women tell the volunteers of Solar Circle , “Solar ovens work! The sun shines in Tanzania , and solar cooking puts the sun to work for our families.” Otilia said, “I must constantly stir the ‘ugali' over the fire. In the oven – no squatting, no stirring, no smoky fire!” (Ugali, a maize porridge, is a diet staple).

At the end of one cooking demonstration, another energetic mother looked at the dozen ovens used in class, and asked, “How could you bring so few? We are so many.” She is right, there is a great need, and Solar Circle needs your help.