Namibia 2003

Solar Link is a group of students and teachers from Mattlidens gymnasium in Espoo, Finland. The group builds solar cookers in Namibia

Since 1991 students and teachers at Mattlidens gymnasium have been working in the "Elevföreningen vid Mattlidens gymnasium" to spread the use of solar cookers in Namibia. Solar cookers use environmentally friendly solar energy. In Namibia deforestation is a problem in many areas and in some areas there is no electricity available or it is too expensive. Solar cookers save time as there is less need to spend time on collecting firewood. Solar cookers are also cheap to use and easy to build. If you take well care of the cooker it can be used for many years. With a little planning and sunshine you can prepare almost all traditional Namibian dishes in the cooker.

Students in many Namibian schools have built cookers together with students from Mattlidens Gymnasium. During the process of building they have also learned to know each other and have then discussed many things that are important for young people. A part of the project has been to increase the knowledge about AIDS. In these discussions this has been an important issue. The students have often stated that the difference between young people in Namibia and Finland is not very big.

The Students Council at Mattlidens gymnasium have also donated money from the "Taksvärkki" to schools in Namibia. The money has been used to buy books, maps, tape recorders and a lot of other things.

This autumn (2003) six students and two teachers went to Namibia for almost three weeks. This was the fifth Solar Link project together with students. The departure took place on 28.10. and the group returned 16.11. We all have a wish to return to Namibia to meet our many friends again and to feel the warmth and friendship we encountered during these very eventful weeks.

Margareta Ehnberg