Solar project tiloo observes solar day

The Solar Project Tiloo, a solar cooking manufacturing outfit founded by Elena Steger Kassama and husband Amadou Kassama on Saturday May 8th 2010, observed its annual Solar Day at their premises in Kanifing South.

Speaking at the occasion, Muhammed Jarra, the Project Manager, said the event was meant to showcase their products and host a promotional competition on how to use a solar cooker among school children and other customers.

He revealed that the project has started far back in 2006, initially located in the community of Fajikunda before moving to Kanifing. He said that it was set up with the provision of the first batch of cookers and stoves in that year, 2006 with the intention of making solar cooking widely known across the country, and to also convince people on the need for solar cooking.

The Solar Project Tiloo, which formerly established its own solar cooker and stove making workshop in early 2007, also has its mission to bring down the cost of living for each family, by using an economical, cheap, healthy way of cooking.

To further express the purpose of this project, the founders have in addition, established a restaurant, called Elena's Solar Food Restaurant with menu serving, both local and tourists.

He said that it is their aim to encourage people to learn how to use the sun for cooking, baking, roasting peanuts or drying fruits.

"By learning to use the solar method of cooking frequently would fight against global warming, deforestation and keeping the nature safe.

"We want to encourage more people to use solar cooker as it saves time and money and also environment-friendly," he said.

He further revealed that currently they are working with ten schools, which are being trained on how to use and care for a solar oven. The students are given two solar cookers, as well as a package which contains: 1 bag of flower, 1 bag of sugar, 1 crate of eggs, 10kg of butter, 1 carton yeast, and 1 tin of baking powder.

"The cost of a solar cooker is very affordable and it might also give you a chance to open a small business of selling bread, cakes or food or more," he added.

Jarra encouraged more people to resort to the use of solar cooker since it’s cheap and easy to use.

He thanked participating schools and the Ministry of Energy for cherishing the solar cooker initiative and ASSET for their continuous support.

Meanwhile, as part of the event a certificate was awarded to St. Peters Senior Secondary School for the success registered in using the solar cooker.