Exterior view of Pension Better Foundation Acomodation, Nanfumbambi Road

The participants were very grateful for this packed program on the coffee party provided by JEEP. JEEP was founded and funded by the Danish organization Folkecenter and is currently receiving support from the German NGO Artefact, Glücksburg. Arguously, the participants found themselves afterwards in the hotel J-Frigh to follow my presentation on solar drying, including fruiting leather and other conservation measures . To my surprise, everyone was still wide awake, no eye was closed.

The training course

In order to give the participants a quick course, it was necessary to book my arrival a few days before the event. This proved to be correct, because the procurement of the various materials was very bumpy: one salesman after the other had to be approached by taxi. Each time, a lengthy negotiation was necessary. Workers of Awamu Biomass Energy had to be instructed in detail, although I brought from Germany laser-cut sheets and a sample of the Baba Moto cooker. In particular, the leadership of the warm secondary air, which is responsible for the extremely clean combustion, was completely alien to the workers. The tabs for the secondary air supply in the Verwirbelungskammer were cut too small, with which the workers equal to a harsh complaint from me negotiated. After a repeated explanation, they finally saw it and made more holes for the second air.

Meanwhile, long-distance trips were made by Kampala to collect quotes and make purchases of tools and equipment. Ugandan wholesalers resemble small shops in this country. Tool deals look more like flea markets, if you want to compare them to German conditions. New and used devices are lying side by side, partly outdoors, where they gradually rust. If you want to have more sheets, then you have to order them long before. Also, the desired sheet thickness is not always available.

Training materials

Stainless steel is rarely in stock, because there is no need for the high price. Ugandan designers prefer to use a lower quality product because stainless steel requires too much capital that is not available. In the present case, therefore, 0.9mm (20) galvanized steel plates were ordered and picked up after a few days. According to Awamu Biomass Energy keep the cookers then about 1 1/2 years with regular use.

This is not very satisfactory. Unfortunately, because of the short amount of time I had, nothing was better. Purchased were then large lever shears, Getriebeblechscheren, hammers, chisels, steel rivets and two rivets. Also, a metal scooter was commissioned, but was not delivered on time. There is also another Beading and crimping device has been ordered, which was not delivered until my departure. Delivery delays of a few weeks are normal in Uganda and are therefore also a major cause of the slowing economy. Rivets made of galvanized steel in Uganda cost about the same as stainless steel rivets in Germany: UGX 400, that’s just € 0.10 apiece.

The actual training

After the staff were trained, the first Afrishiners workshop participants from South Africa, Congo, Kenya and Uganda arrived. On the eve of the event, I invited the 11 participants who had already arrived to a (!) Welcome drink in the hotel J-Frigh .

Everything was designed as a “hands-on” seminar: the participants had to cut, bend, drill and rivet the sheet for their own cook. Gender was taken into account, because women also need to know what work behind the simple-looking tin stove is. This also relates to another similar trainings on why energy matters. On this occasion, I also found out that for the small 3mm holes for the rivets no special tools are needed, because the Africans have developed a fantastic method that can not be improved.

First, a hole is drilled with a stylus. Thereafter, the sheet is turned over and the burrs hit flat with a hammer. Then the graver is punched once more in the hole until the rivet is exactly right. This keeps perfect and it is not even necessary a washer. You never stop learning!

Bring on the break

A welcome break was the production of charcoal and biomass briquettes, where everyone – regardless of gender and reputation – had to lend a hand and dirty their fingers.

Sembatya Mohammad explains the parts and the tools to the Afrishiners workshop participants.

Of the Stove Baba Moto Has a Weak spot, the at of the false handling of the African cooks moor is: it becomes always to a lot of Wood launched. Thereby beat occasionally Flames off of the Door, because the hole of concentrator and of the Secondary air gap to small are, around the Fire so greater quantities of fuel in the bridle to to get. In of the episode become the front Wood handles so hot, that you you Not more touch can. also discolour you themselves dark. There consists still Construction supplies, at the me Richard Fetzner for sure help becomes.

The participants proudly hold up their own Baba Moto cookers. They also learned how to handle solar cookers and make charcoal dust and biomass briquettes.

About the participants of the Afrishiners Workshop

The participants, who were interested in producing their own Baba Moto cookers in their community, received large plans printed on DIN A2. Each participant also received a manual in English and French. All three of these chosen Baba Moto prospects stated that they would get all the tools and parts in their region. The exception was the rivet nets and the rivet. The three people were: Nabahya Guillain, Uvira, Congo; Labeya Yafes, Gulu, Northern Uganda and Camily Wedende, Eldoret, West Kenya. Meanwhile, a delivery to Labeya Yafes has been arranged and completed. Camily Wedende has found an American sponsor. With regard to the delivery to the Democratic Republic of Congo there is still need for discussion with LHL Dusseldorf.

It has to be added that Charles Muwonge from Kyabiiri (near Masaka) was one of the Afrishiners workshop participants. I asked him what he was doing with the tool I had donated to him along with a basic (mantel cooker) cooker 2 years ago. His answer: since no one in Kyabiiri could carry out the metalwork without further training, the tool was left to a local carpenter. I clearly expressed my displeasure and told him never to do so without notifying me.

How evenings were spent

On the evening of the first day I was still in the hotel J-Frigh presented a PowerPoint presentation on energy. Participants were explained how energy efficiency is calculated and assessed, what negative impact humid wood has on the combustion process, how solar cookers work, and so on. The full program. Participants were raised far beyond the general level of African education in this regard. A final dinner together crowned the day.

The second day was all about making Fireless Cookers (Holding baskets) dedicated. Here again proved that cooking, cutting sheets or needle work are not gender-specific. A men’s group was faster with the “women’s work” and also made the most beautiful basket.

The beautiful and impeccably crafted baskets are proudly presented (Photo: John Amayo)

Since last year, a separate LHL program has been running for the heated baskets. Thanks to this program, production and distribution are kept going.

Hands-On! Everyone works with us. Kora Koch from the organization www. uridu.org presented in between the system of Uridu, which makes available in remote and poor regions of Africa all sorts of information in the respective language.

Visiting the Stove test center

The slightly exhausted and partially injured participants were allowed to devote more to an intensified education on the third day. A visit to the Makerere University and the affiliated CREEC Institute was on the program. There, in addition to Africa’s best-equipped solar laboratory, there is also a laboratory where consumption and emissions are measured. The CREEC laboratory is certified by the GACC. GACC is now called the Clean Cooking Allianace.

This is a small part of the CREEC currently being tested.

Due to time constraints, lunch was not taken at the hotel, but prepared at Awamu Biomass Energy and devoured hastily. Thereafter, the rented bus was climbed, bringing the participants to the JEEP Institute. Additionaly, there was a huge program waiting for the participants, which included learning about different topics. These included lorena clay ovens, solar cookers, solar dryer, carbonator, warming baskets, and production of briquettes.

The excursion

The participants were very grateful for this packed program on the coffee party provided by JEEP. JEEP was founded and funded by the Danish organization Folkecenter and is currently receiving support from the German NGO Artefact, Glücksburg. The participants found themselves afterwards in the hotel J-Frigh to follow my presentation on solar drying. I presented on topics including fruiting leather and other conservation measures . To my surprise, everyone was still wide awake, no eye was closed.

The last Afrishiners Worskhop dinner

A dinner together closed the last day. The participants were full of praise for the “best workshop ever”. In particular, the “hands-on” leadership enchanted the participants. This made me especially proud because everyone had already participated in much higher quality conferences, including Solar Cookers International, GIZ, GACC, ISES, SNV Norad, REDD+, etc. I have also not made it easy for me and always tried to avoid bad things and to set new aspects, always keeping an eye on the careful management of the donations. If LHL should get more donations, I have already prepared future workshops in thought.

A poll form was also issued about the Afrishiners Workshop. If you are interested, you can request the results from me.

Signed AfriShiners International Workshop. Thanks to two generous donations, the workshop in Kampala was organized and carried out by LHL board member Bernhard Müller, Eschborn. d S. Müller, aka Baba Moto