28 May 2011
21 May 2011
great read: seth godin - busker's dilemma (busker's delight)
"If you play music on the street with a bucket for donations, every song has to be a showstopper..." Read the rest of Seth Godin's blog post "Busker's Dilemma (Busker's Delight)" here.
20 May 2011
adios - i'm off to the amazon
Still reeling from wrapping up The Global Citizen Project earlier this week, I'm headed to the Amazon on Sunday to check out the latest addition to Aqua Expeditions' Amazon cruise vessels - the M/V Aria. I'm very much looking forward to returning to one of my favorite corners of the world and cannot wait to get my pink dolphin fix.
Thank you Amanda Castleman, Alex Kralicek and Libby Seiter Nelson for the school supplies and clothing donations. Thank you LAN for flying me LAX - LIM - IQT.
Note: This trip is a fully hosted press trip, with the exception of flight arrangements from SEA - LAX.
18 May 2011
all signs say "yes"
Dear Pam:
Not to get all Tom Cruise circa 1996 cheese on you, but you complete me. Your recent post, Putting on Noise Cancelling Headphones, on Spunkygirl Monologues sums up exactly how I feel these days. "No" has been my mantra for the past many months, but maybe I just need to tune out all the noise, re-focus and redirect. Your blog post has given me the much-needed kick in the ass to make it happen.
Much love and thankfulness,
Charyn
media mention: seattle weekly's voracious dining newsletter
Yours truly was featured in Seattle Weekly's Voracious Dining Newsletter:
"Twitter and Facebook have proven themselves invaluable tools for restaurants, and bursting onto the local social-media scene recently is ViaVita, a café and wine bar in Bellevue that wants Seattleites to know it's worth the drive (just maybe avoid rush hour). Local social-media guru Charyn Pfeuffer is to thank for the sudden uptick in the restaurant's community outreach, but what makes the place—and that side of the lake—so special?"
Read the rest of the shout out here.
"Twitter and Facebook have proven themselves invaluable tools for restaurants, and bursting onto the local social-media scene recently is ViaVita, a café and wine bar in Bellevue that wants Seattleites to know it's worth the drive (just maybe avoid rush hour). Local social-media guru Charyn Pfeuffer is to thank for the sudden uptick in the restaurant's community outreach, but what makes the place—and that side of the lake—so special?"
Read the rest of the shout out here.
17 May 2011
recipe: tomatillo salsa
Ingredients:
1 pound tomatillos, quartered
1 jalapeno – halved (not seeded)
2-3 cloves of garlic (whole)
½ cup of cilantro (add more to taste)
Juice of one lime
Olive oil
Salt
Method:
Place tomatillos, garlic and jalapeno on a baking pan. Drizzle generously with olive oil. Cook at 375-400F degrees for 45 minutes or until everything is soft and starts to brown.
Place cooked mixture into a blender or food processor and add cilantro, lime juice and salt to taste. Add more jalapeno for spicier salsa.
blog post: a four star voluntourism experience teaching english in spain
Read all about my recent volunteer experience with Pueblo Ingles in Spain in my latest column for Wyndham Worldwide's Women on Their Way here.
16 May 2011
"every new beginning comes from some other beginning's end.” - seneca
Eeks. I have very mixed emotions about the completion of The Global Citizen Project. I’ve tried to wrap my brain around how to best sum up this year of my life in a neat and tidy blog post, but it’s next to impossible. So consider this the first several “Final Thought” installments. We’ll see how this plays out. All I know is that I don’t want to be confined to 500 words to verbalize up how I feel.
Truly, The Global Citizen Project has been the most inspiring year of my life. It’s pushed me well beyond my comfort zone and challenged me – over and over again. It brought me in contact with the best, and sadly, the worst of humanity, and shown me sides of people and places I’d never otherwise experience. It’s made compromise, sacrifice, speak my truths and bite my lip. It’s made my heart ache. And overflow with joy. It’s made me more capable of love than ever before. The number of people who’ve humbled me this past year makes my head swim – the 220+ donors who helped fund the project, the countless supporters from around the world, the people, communities and organizations I’ve been so fortunate to volunteer for, and the dedicated volunteers I’ve worked alongside – thank you. When it’s all said and done, I volunteered close to 900 hours. That’s a lot of help for a whole lot of people and I feel very lucky.
So where do I go now? People have been asking me this very question since I launched The Global Citizen Project. Last June. I went into TGCP with a very organic, take-it-as-it-comes attitude. If it evolved into something bigger than itself, like an Oprah Winfrey school for girls in Africa, fine (I kid). If it didn’t, fine. I enter most scenarios in life with very few expectations. It’s not that I don’t think big, work my ass off and shoot for the stars – I just make it a point to not tie myself to any particular outcomes in life. As my volunteer travels draw to a close, I’m nowhere near ready to abandon my efforts to promote responsible travel, voluntourism and humanitarian causes and will continue to make a difference and inspire others to do good.
This path has led me to MISSION, a media platform for global travel, humanitarian issues and (voilà!) making a difference in the world. I’ve signed on as MISSION’s Volunteer Travel Editor and plan to help as many people as possible “See the Planet, Change the World.” MISSION founder Amy Schrier created BLUE magazine (bluemagazine.com), the original Adventure Lifestyle brand presenting the world, its amazing peoples, places and the ways to explore them, through outdoor recreation, action sports + adventure travel. BLUE was described as “Not your father’s National Geographic” by The New York Times, and “National Geographic with a rock-n-roll beat” by New York’s Daily News.
The site, set to launch fall 2011, will be home to the first independent database of volunteer trips on the Internet. Site visitors will be able to sort by location, cause, time and cost required to find the trip that is right for them. MISSION will also create a magazine that brings the themes of global travel and humanitarianism to life in print and iPad mediums and host events that tie to meaningful social causes.
No one is doing what MISSION is doing – creating a humanitarian content media brand. MISSION is the bacon to my egg and I am humbled to be a part of its efforts.
Please check out our pre-launch site out and our Facebook group.
In addition to taking on Volunteer Travel Editor duties at MISSION, I’m coordinating social media and marketing for an area café and wine bar, as well as booking volunteer speaking engagements, consulting on all things media related for nonprofits and humanitarian causes, and continuing to freelance write about food, travel and lifestyle topics (albeit in a much more scaled back capacity). I really don’t know how to function unless I am multitasking like a madwoman.
So, thank you for being part of TGCP journey. The 12-month project may be over, but it’s inspired a new chapter that’s just beginning. I hope you’ll continue to join for me the next adventure(s). Like all things I engage in life, I pinky swear promise it will be fun.
Truly, The Global Citizen Project has been the most inspiring year of my life. It’s pushed me well beyond my comfort zone and challenged me – over and over again. It brought me in contact with the best, and sadly, the worst of humanity, and shown me sides of people and places I’d never otherwise experience. It’s made compromise, sacrifice, speak my truths and bite my lip. It’s made my heart ache. And overflow with joy. It’s made me more capable of love than ever before. The number of people who’ve humbled me this past year makes my head swim – the 220+ donors who helped fund the project, the countless supporters from around the world, the people, communities and organizations I’ve been so fortunate to volunteer for, and the dedicated volunteers I’ve worked alongside – thank you. When it’s all said and done, I volunteered close to 900 hours. That’s a lot of help for a whole lot of people and I feel very lucky.
So where do I go now? People have been asking me this very question since I launched The Global Citizen Project. Last June. I went into TGCP with a very organic, take-it-as-it-comes attitude. If it evolved into something bigger than itself, like an Oprah Winfrey school for girls in Africa, fine (I kid). If it didn’t, fine. I enter most scenarios in life with very few expectations. It’s not that I don’t think big, work my ass off and shoot for the stars – I just make it a point to not tie myself to any particular outcomes in life. As my volunteer travels draw to a close, I’m nowhere near ready to abandon my efforts to promote responsible travel, voluntourism and humanitarian causes and will continue to make a difference and inspire others to do good.
This path has led me to MISSION, a media platform for global travel, humanitarian issues and (voilà!) making a difference in the world. I’ve signed on as MISSION’s Volunteer Travel Editor and plan to help as many people as possible “See the Planet, Change the World.” MISSION founder Amy Schrier created BLUE magazine (bluemagazine.com), the original Adventure Lifestyle brand presenting the world, its amazing peoples, places and the ways to explore them, through outdoor recreation, action sports + adventure travel. BLUE was described as “Not your father’s National Geographic” by The New York Times, and “National Geographic with a rock-n-roll beat” by New York’s Daily News.
The site, set to launch fall 2011, will be home to the first independent database of volunteer trips on the Internet. Site visitors will be able to sort by location, cause, time and cost required to find the trip that is right for them. MISSION will also create a magazine that brings the themes of global travel and humanitarianism to life in print and iPad mediums and host events that tie to meaningful social causes.
No one is doing what MISSION is doing – creating a humanitarian content media brand. MISSION is the bacon to my egg and I am humbled to be a part of its efforts.
Please check out our pre-launch site out and our Facebook group.
In addition to taking on Volunteer Travel Editor duties at MISSION, I’m coordinating social media and marketing for an area café and wine bar, as well as booking volunteer speaking engagements, consulting on all things media related for nonprofits and humanitarian causes, and continuing to freelance write about food, travel and lifestyle topics (albeit in a much more scaled back capacity). I really don’t know how to function unless I am multitasking like a madwoman.
So, thank you for being part of TGCP journey. The 12-month project may be over, but it’s inspired a new chapter that’s just beginning. I hope you’ll continue to join for me the next adventure(s). Like all things I engage in life, I pinky swear promise it will be fun.
8 Days of Giving to Japan: Day 8 - Habitat for Humanity Japan (#Habitat_Org)
Habitat For Humanity Japan is still assessing the situation but will be involved in the reconstruction of housing once the emergency period ends. This is one of the most vital aspects of recovery and the homeless will need a lot of help to put their lives back together.
Learn more about Habitat for Humanity Japan here or donate here.
If you are blogger or have your own website, please see the Blog4Japan page to learn how you can utilize this appeal on your own site and help us reach even more people.
Learn more about Habitat for Humanity Japan here or donate here.
For all social media outreach, please include the hashtags:
- #blog4japan
- #8daysjapan
- #Habitat_Org
15 May 2011
8 Days of Giving to Japan: Day 7 - Save The Children (#savethechildren)
Save the Children has been working in Japan for over 25 years. Their American partner is now collecting donations for them in English, which eliminates any credit card exchange charges. They have set up multiple child-friendly spaces in evacuation centers in Sendai City where displaced families are staying. They are also starting their long-term recovery plans to restore education and child care in communities ravaged by the disasters.
Learn more about Save the Children here or donate here.
For all social media outreach TODAY, please include the hashtags:
Learn more about Save the Children here or donate here.
For all social media outreach TODAY, please include the hashtags:
- #blog4japan
- #8daysjapan
- #savethechildren
If you are blogger or have your own website, please see the Blog4Japan page to learn how you can utilize this appeal on your own site and help us reach even more people.
14 May 2011
8 Days of Giving to Japan: Day 6 - The Association of Medical Doctors of Asia (AMDA)
The Association of Medical Doctors of Asia (AMDA Japan) team is delivering essential medical services through mobile clinics and delivering relief goods to the nursing homes and schools (evacuation shelters) in Aoba and Miyagino Wards.
Learn more about AMDA here or donate here.
For all social media outreach TODAY, please include the hashtags:
If you are blogger or have your own website, please see the Blog4Japan page to learn how you can utilize this appeal on your own site and help us reach even more people.
Learn more about AMDA here or donate here.
For all social media outreach TODAY, please include the hashtags:
- #blog4japan
- #8daysjapan
If you are blogger or have your own website, please see the Blog4Japan page to learn how you can utilize this appeal on your own site and help us reach even more people.
13 May 2011
8 Days of Giving to Japan: Day 5 - Oxfam Japan (#oxfamjapan)
OXFAM Japan is working with two partners in Japan on providing support to those on the margins of society who might otherwise have difficulty accessing emergency relief. One group is assisting mothers and babies and the other is providing information to non-Japanese speakers living in Japan.
Learn more about OXFAM Japan here or donate here.
If you are blogger or have your own website, please see the Blog4Japan page to learn how you can utilize this appeal on your own site and help us reach even more people.
Learn more about OXFAM Japan here or donate here.
For all social media outreach TODAY, please include the hashtags:
- #blog4japan
- #8daysjapan
- #oxfamjapan
If you are blogger or have your own website, please see the Blog4Japan page to learn how you can utilize this appeal on your own site and help us reach even more people.
11 May 2011
8 Days of Giving to Japan: Day 3 - Adra Japan (#ADRA_Japan)
Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) is donating food and essential items to the survivors of the tsunami. They also keep a well maintained English blog of their activities in Japan for the tsunami.
Learn more about ADRA here or donate here.
For all social media outreach TODAY, please include the hashtags:
If you are blogger or have your own website, please see the Blog4Japan page to learn how you can utilize this appeal on your own site and help us reach even more people.
Learn more about ADRA here or donate here.
- #blog4japan
- #8daysjapan
- #ADRA_Japan
If you are blogger or have your own website, please see the Blog4Japan page to learn how you can utilize this appeal on your own site and help us reach even more people.
10 May 2011
the frugal traveler: budget travel for history buffs
"On a free tour of Florence by foot, I marveled at the bronze- relief doors of the city's historic baptistry, gazed in awe at the architecture of the duomo and leisurely strolled along the Ponte Vecchio. While traveling, your love of antiquity doesn't have to bust your vacation budget. Here are four fun tips for cost control."
Read the rest of the KansasCity.com article here: The Frugal Traveler: Budget travel for history buffs.
Read the rest of the KansasCity.com article here: The Frugal Traveler: Budget travel for history buffs.
8 Days of Giving to Japan: Day 2 - JEN (#NGO_JEN_e)
JEN is a well known NGO dedicated to restoring a self-supporting livelihood both economically and mentally to those who have been stricken with hardship due to conflicts and disasters. They are currently supporting emergency relief items such as food, woman’s hygenic items, clothes and other essentials to the survivors of the Japan Tsunami.
Learn more about JEN here or donate here.
For all social media outreach TODAY, please include the hashtags:
If you are blogger or have your own website, please see the Blog4Japan page to learn how you can utilize this appeal on your own site and help us reach even more people.
Learn more about JEN here or donate here.
- #blog4japan
- #8daysjapan
- #NGO_JEN_e
If you are blogger or have your own website, please see the Blog4Japan page to learn how you can utilize this appeal on your own site and help us reach even more people.
09 May 2011
8 Days of Giving to Japan: Day 1 - Peace Winds Japan (#PWAmerica)
Peace Winds Japan is one of the largest Japanese organizations providing humanitarian relief such as food, clothing, fuel and medical supplies to the affected areas.
Learn more about Peace Winds Japan here or donate here.
For all social media outreach TODAY, please include the hashtags:
If you are blogger or have your own website, please see the Blog4Japan page to learn how you can utilize this appeal on your own site and help us reach even more people.
For all social media outreach TODAY, please include the hashtags:
- #blog4japan
- #8daysjapan
- #PWAmerica
If you are blogger or have your own website, please see the Blog4Japan page to learn how you can utilize this appeal on your own site and help us reach even more people.
07 May 2011
elizabeth gilbert says goodbye to 'eat, pray, love'
06 May 2011
recipe: sticky lemon rolls with lemon cream cheese glaze
Need some sweet inspiration for your mama this weekend? Look no further than this tart twist on your usual cinnamon suspects. The smarty pants at The Kitchn came up with this variation: Sticky Lemon Rolls with Lemon Cream Cheese Glaze. Get your stand mixers ready! This recipe is a keeper.
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| Photo by The Kitchn |
05 May 2011
i love seattle
Communities that promote walking tend to be green in other ways, too. A new ranking from The Atlantic says who's getting us on our feet. Read Pedestrian Perfection: The 11 Most Walk-Friendly U.S. Cities here.
media mention: budget travel adventures - how travel can change the world
Jeremy Branham of Budget Travel Adventures was kind enough to mention me in his thoughtful reflections of the recent death of Osama Bin Laden. Read Jeremy's humbling and heartfelt article here. Thank you!
03 May 2011
headed to the amazon with aqua expeditions to experience m/v aria
You can take the girl off the travel roster, but I guess you really can’t take the traveler out of the girl. I swore off all post-project travel (at least straying from mainland U.S.) for the summer, but when an invite to experience Aqua Expeditions' brand new, super luxe ship, M/V Aria landed in my inbox, I immediately checked the Yellow Fever shot dates on my yellow World Health Organization immunization card. If I had to name my top three favorite places on the planet, the Amazon in Peru would make the final cut. Hands down. I was fortunate to experience this region of the world a few years ago on a similar river itinerary and had eyed Aqua Expedition’s ship. M/V Aqua at the time (M/V Aria's sibling ship).
Here’s the official rundown from Aqua Expeditions:
Aqua Expeditions CEO Francesco Galli-Zugaro announced plans this month to launch the second Aqua Expeditions vessel on the Peruvian Amazon, the M/V Aria, in April 2011. The M/V Aria features 16 specially designed cabins with floor-to-ceiling picture windows, a fully air-conditioned top deck with observation lounge as well as the Aqua Expeditions’ signature Amazon Grill with award-winning Executive Chef Pedro Miguel Schiaffino.
In addition to these amenities, the M/V Aria will also boast an exercise room and an outdoor Jacuzzi with sun deck, a unique addition to accommodate the discerning and fitness conscious traveler.
“We are thrilled to announce the launch of the world’s second five-star luxury vessel to sail the Amazon,” says Galli-Zugaro. “The M/V Aria will provide the ever-growing number of travelers who wish to explore one of the world’s last great wilderness areas with a one-of-a-kind travel experience.”
The boat’s itineraries will vary from those of its sister ship, the M/V Aqua, but will also explore remote areas of the Amazon River. The 24-crew member M/V Aria is staffed with four world-class nature guides and will also include an Amazon wildlife reference library and air-conditioned multimedia room.
While this expedition is not volunteer oriented or part of The Global Citizen Project (which wraps up May 16th), there will be opportunities to visit impoverished villages along the Amazon. I plan on packing an extra suitcase of school supplies, toothbrushes/toothpaste, baby/children’s clothing and any other items that seem useful. I take off for this trip May 22, but if you act now, you can get your do good stuff into my suitcase. (And I'll throw in an extra set of thanks for your efforts!) Please email me at cpfeuffer (at) yahoo (dot) for my mailing addy. Thanks in advance for your help. I really look forward to sharing my M/V Aria experience with you and this spectacular region of the world.
Here’s the official rundown from Aqua Expeditions:
Aqua Expeditions CEO Francesco Galli-Zugaro announced plans this month to launch the second Aqua Expeditions vessel on the Peruvian Amazon, the M/V Aria, in April 2011. The M/V Aria features 16 specially designed cabins with floor-to-ceiling picture windows, a fully air-conditioned top deck with observation lounge as well as the Aqua Expeditions’ signature Amazon Grill with award-winning Executive Chef Pedro Miguel Schiaffino.
In addition to these amenities, the M/V Aria will also boast an exercise room and an outdoor Jacuzzi with sun deck, a unique addition to accommodate the discerning and fitness conscious traveler.
“We are thrilled to announce the launch of the world’s second five-star luxury vessel to sail the Amazon,” says Galli-Zugaro. “The M/V Aria will provide the ever-growing number of travelers who wish to explore one of the world’s last great wilderness areas with a one-of-a-kind travel experience.”
The boat’s itineraries will vary from those of its sister ship, the M/V Aqua, but will also explore remote areas of the Amazon River. The 24-crew member M/V Aria is staffed with four world-class nature guides and will also include an Amazon wildlife reference library and air-conditioned multimedia room.
While this expedition is not volunteer oriented or part of The Global Citizen Project (which wraps up May 16th), there will be opportunities to visit impoverished villages along the Amazon. I plan on packing an extra suitcase of school supplies, toothbrushes/toothpaste, baby/children’s clothing and any other items that seem useful. I take off for this trip May 22, but if you act now, you can get your do good stuff into my suitcase. (And I'll throw in an extra set of thanks for your efforts!) Please email me at cpfeuffer (at) yahoo (dot) for my mailing addy. Thanks in advance for your help. I really look forward to sharing my M/V Aria experience with you and this spectacular region of the world.
photo + upcoming philanthropy expedition
Adventure philanthropy photo of the week via Roadmonkey: Mekong Delta kids on their new (and first-ever) playground; Vietnam 2010.
Want to join an upcoming Roadmonkey expedition?
Cycle the Central Highlands and Build a Playground for the Impoverished Khmer Community
Dates: Oct. 16-29
Price: $3,800
The adventure philanthropy expedition comprises 9 days cycling through the rolling southern Central Highlands + 4 days building a playground for an impoverished Khmer community
01 May 2011
please help contextual solutions raise $6k to build smokeless stoves in central america
This past March, I had the serendipitous good fortune of crossing paths with Steve Bliss and staying with his lovely family in Boquete, Panama. At their farm, Finca Selah, I helped out with the production of smokeless stoves for indigenous people of Panama. Well, Steve is taking his brilliant solution on the road and needs to raise $6,000 to take the molds and set up training sessions throughout Central America. Steve Bliss of Contextual Solutions, shared this article he wrote on how he plans to help and what he needs to make it happen. Thanks in advance for taking a few minutes to learn about what he's doing to help the respiratory health of Central America's indigenous and impoverished populations.
The time has finally come to build more stove molds. It has been amazing to see the interest not only from organizations, but people in villages requesting them from organizations. Fortunately, we just received a grant from Bid 4 Boquete to help get the next round of molds started and we are very grateful.
We originally ordered fifty molds from a company in the States and had them shipped down to Panama. As of the end of next week, they should all be in the field producing stoves. Those original molds were made of vacuum formed plastic but the new ones will be made of fiberglass. A couple of reasons for the change is that we found the plastic wasn’t consistent in thickness tolerances, which has led to some premature failure in the outside mold. Fiberglass is readily available here in Panama and is a reparable product, unlike plastic. Building the new molds out of fiberglass will ultimately extend the life of the molds.
The master mold was shipped down here a while back and when my boys and I opened it up to make some modifications, it had actually split up a bit from shrinkage so some work had to be done to restore it to a functional state. We also planned on modifying the master mold for the next batch of stoves molds.
CHANGES
After testing the finished stoves, we found some simple modifications that radically improved the performance.
Change 1: The height of the stove. While testing the performance of the stove we found that an 18.5 inch tall stove (the original) would bring five liters of water to boil in forty five minutes. If we reduced the size to 15.5 inches, the time to boil was reduced to thirty minutes. One of the reasons for this is the clay acts as a heat sink. Clay is to heat as a sponge is to water; it just sucks up heat energy that should be going into the pot. We also found that anything less than 15.5 inches was difficult to achieve a smokeless burn which negates our desired goal.
Change 2: The mold will have a six inch hole pre-made in the top. This will save us the step of cutting this hole to allow for the placement of the wood- center cone piece.
Change 3: We are extending the risers, which the pot sits on, toward the center hole. This will allow for smaller pans to be used.
Change 4: We will be increasing the rigidity of the large opening flange and the top of the mold to allow for longer life expectancy. A benefit of using fiberglass is if/when there is damage to the mold it can easily be repaired. Our hope is to comfortably get 500 stoves out of each mold. This will in turn change the lives of approximately 3000 people. With every fifty molds that enter the field approximately 150,000 people will be affected.
We should be able to keep the costs down to approximately $50.00 per stove mold. Each mold is donated to a village where the community is then trained thus empowering them to literally make their own solution. Our monetary donation for that one mold is $50.00. So if $50.00 changes the lives of 3000 people, then we can say that it only costs less than 2 cents per person. That is an amazing cost benefit.
The materials needed to build the stove is clay, sand, water, reed grass and 1/3rd bag of cement. Everything can be sourced free and locally except for the cement that will cost a community member approximately $3.00 per stove. This is the cheapest stove approach on the market and it is one that reinstates dignity through participation to those who need the life-saving solution. And that, my friend, is an approach we feel good about.
THE PLAN
Spreading the Technological Knowledge:
We are planning a trip through Central America late July to introduce this approach to organizations currently working in these countries. We have found that when those who cook on three-rock fires are introduced to our stove, they request it from the local trained organization. Our goal is to bring the solution to organizations so they can bring an effective and lasting solution to the communities in need. If you know of any organizations working in Central America who could benefit from this technology, please contact us and let us know.
Our strategy
We are planning to set up one or two training sessions in each country where we invite organizations to train and take a mold back to the villages where they can train the people in the communities in which they work. Train the trainers. This will minimize our time and costs to get the stove initiative started in each country.
How we will be going
I’ll be driving the molds in my truck and staying in cheap hotels. The trip cost is yet to be exactly determined but a quick budget estimate is around $6,000.00 (including the molds).
If you would like to be a part of taking our stove solution to organizations around the world, starting with Central America, please donate. You can donate by clicking the link below and no amount is too small. Without your donations, this trip will not launch. We thank you in advance for your support.
The time has finally come to build more stove molds. It has been amazing to see the interest not only from organizations, but people in villages requesting them from organizations. Fortunately, we just received a grant from Bid 4 Boquete to help get the next round of molds started and we are very grateful.
We originally ordered fifty molds from a company in the States and had them shipped down to Panama. As of the end of next week, they should all be in the field producing stoves. Those original molds were made of vacuum formed plastic but the new ones will be made of fiberglass. A couple of reasons for the change is that we found the plastic wasn’t consistent in thickness tolerances, which has led to some premature failure in the outside mold. Fiberglass is readily available here in Panama and is a reparable product, unlike plastic. Building the new molds out of fiberglass will ultimately extend the life of the molds.
The master mold was shipped down here a while back and when my boys and I opened it up to make some modifications, it had actually split up a bit from shrinkage so some work had to be done to restore it to a functional state. We also planned on modifying the master mold for the next batch of stoves molds.
CHANGES
After testing the finished stoves, we found some simple modifications that radically improved the performance.
Change 1: The height of the stove. While testing the performance of the stove we found that an 18.5 inch tall stove (the original) would bring five liters of water to boil in forty five minutes. If we reduced the size to 15.5 inches, the time to boil was reduced to thirty minutes. One of the reasons for this is the clay acts as a heat sink. Clay is to heat as a sponge is to water; it just sucks up heat energy that should be going into the pot. We also found that anything less than 15.5 inches was difficult to achieve a smokeless burn which negates our desired goal.
Change 2: The mold will have a six inch hole pre-made in the top. This will save us the step of cutting this hole to allow for the placement of the wood- center cone piece.
Change 3: We are extending the risers, which the pot sits on, toward the center hole. This will allow for smaller pans to be used.
Change 4: We will be increasing the rigidity of the large opening flange and the top of the mold to allow for longer life expectancy. A benefit of using fiberglass is if/when there is damage to the mold it can easily be repaired. Our hope is to comfortably get 500 stoves out of each mold. This will in turn change the lives of approximately 3000 people. With every fifty molds that enter the field approximately 150,000 people will be affected.
We should be able to keep the costs down to approximately $50.00 per stove mold. Each mold is donated to a village where the community is then trained thus empowering them to literally make their own solution. Our monetary donation for that one mold is $50.00. So if $50.00 changes the lives of 3000 people, then we can say that it only costs less than 2 cents per person. That is an amazing cost benefit.
The materials needed to build the stove is clay, sand, water, reed grass and 1/3rd bag of cement. Everything can be sourced free and locally except for the cement that will cost a community member approximately $3.00 per stove. This is the cheapest stove approach on the market and it is one that reinstates dignity through participation to those who need the life-saving solution. And that, my friend, is an approach we feel good about.
THE PLAN
Spreading the Technological Knowledge:
We are planning a trip through Central America late July to introduce this approach to organizations currently working in these countries. We have found that when those who cook on three-rock fires are introduced to our stove, they request it from the local trained organization. Our goal is to bring the solution to organizations so they can bring an effective and lasting solution to the communities in need. If you know of any organizations working in Central America who could benefit from this technology, please contact us and let us know.
Our strategy
We are planning to set up one or two training sessions in each country where we invite organizations to train and take a mold back to the villages where they can train the people in the communities in which they work. Train the trainers. This will minimize our time and costs to get the stove initiative started in each country.
How we will be going
I’ll be driving the molds in my truck and staying in cheap hotels. The trip cost is yet to be exactly determined but a quick budget estimate is around $6,000.00 (including the molds).
If you would like to be a part of taking our stove solution to organizations around the world, starting with Central America, please donate. You can donate by clicking the link below and no amount is too small. Without your donations, this trip will not launch. We thank you in advance for your support.
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