Canada Fund Solar Cooker Project

Qinghai Province

35ibetan Villages 2Tibetan Schools

One Tibetan Buddhist Monastery &

Gansu Province

Ten Tibetan Villages One Mongghul Village

Three Tibetan Buddhist Monasteries &

Sichuan Province

1 District &

Tibet Autonomous Region

1 District

September 6, 2003

Kevin Stuart, Benzhou, & Caibukh-Namjel with special thanks to

Fred Richardson Ursula Scullane

Matthew Boswell

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Introduction

Of the four greatest risks of death and disease in the world’s poorest countries1 – being underweight; unsafe sex; unsafe water, sanitation and hygiene; and smoke from solid fuel – the international community has mobilized resources to combat the first three. It is nothing short of an international scandal that the fourth has been largely ignored.1

_______________________ Dear Canada Fund, We are pleased to report that the Canada Fund supported solar cookers provided for in a grant to Kevin Stuart, are improving the quality of life of more than 8,000 people in poor Tibetan and Mongghul communities--both secular and monastic--in farming and pastoral regions in the Tibet Autonomus Region and Sichuan, Gansu, and Qinghai provinces.

In addition, forty students enrolled in the English Training Program, Nationalities Department, Qinghai Normal University, Xining City, China participated in the project and learned valuable lessons in project design, project implementation, project monitoring, financial accounting, and final report writing.

In sum, the project not only directly benfitted the environment and thousands of people--and particularly minority women and girls--but also provided valuable grassroots community-based project training to forty Tibetan youth, most of whom will later be teachers in rural Tibetan areas and, as a result of this project, be better equipped to continue small-project work as local community activists. This report is divided as follows:

Introduction

Part One: Summary

Part Two: Student Community Activist Solar Energy Training Project (Gansu-Qinghai)

a. Summary

b. Narrative Account: Project Implementation and Monitoring

c. Expenditures

i. Expenses

ii. Solar Cooker Factory Receipts

iii. Student Agreements for Local Contribution

iv. Student Receipts

d. Students’ Reports

i. Summary

ii. Photographs

iii. Reports

Part Three: Tibet-Sichuan-Qinghai Border Region Project

Part Four: Rural Mongghul Project 1 (http://www.itdg.org/docs/smoke/itdg%20smoke%20 %20executive%20summary.pdf. 2 May 2004)

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Part Five: Rural Mangghuer Solar Cooker Project

Appendix: Student Initial Proposals

If you have questions, please ask. Sincerely, Kevin Stuart

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April 24, 2004 Dear Canada Fund, For the past three weeks, I’ve been a visitor to the English Training Program (ETP) in the

Nationalities Department of Qinghai Normal University.

The ETP program, under the guidance of Dr. Kevin Stuart, is special. I’ve seen nothing like it

in China (or elsewhere, for that matter). I’m impressed with the Solar Cooker Project, not only as a

successful appropriate technology development project benefiting small Tibetan villages, but as an

effective training exercise in the in the ETP program.

The middle school students, grades one and two in the program, were mostly 18-19 years old

when they participated. They were required to write a proposal for a small project in their home

village, or another more appropriate village. They had to collect data, plan the project, and write the

proposal according to rigid guidelines.

If their proposal was approved and funded, they had to go do it. That included dealing with

all the real world fallout from such projects. (‘Why don’t I get one? I’m your uncle...’) They then

were required to write a final report.

Other students supervised and monitored the whole project, and visited all the villages,

producing a narrative report. Fred, the student who wrote this report, told me that he found it had to

find any new words to describe what he saw, after the 20th village. But he managed.

I have read the final report, composed of about 40 student reports. It is interesting reading.

And I have met and talked with a number of the student in the last few weeks, about a year after

completion of the project.

I believe it was a project with real and measurable benefits, and a wonderful real world

training exercise for the students. I think what these students have done is extraordinary.

Fred Richardson 150 Lovering Park Waldron WA 98297 USA fredr@onebox.com

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Part One: Summary

What? 1,787 solar cookers were provided to a total of 1,787 Tibetan and Monguor households in

villages and monasteries. Approximately 10,000 individuals benefited: • 41 Tibetan villages (1,427 households) • 7 Monguor villages (188 households) • 4 Tibetan Buddhist monasteries (160 monks) • 2 Tibetan schools (around 250 students and 27 teachers) in Qinghai, Sichuan, and Gansu Provinces, and the Tibet Autonomous Region.

Implementation?

The project was implemented by: • 1 Monguor and 39 Tibetan students in the English Training Program, Nationalities

Department, Qinghai Normal University, Xining City • Dr. Limusishiden, a long-time partner of the Canada Fund, in Huzhu Mongghul (Tu)

Autonomous County, Qinghai Province • Mr. Zhu Yongzhong, Director, Sanchuan Development Association, in Minhe Hui and

Mangghuer (Tu) Autonomous County, Qinghai Province. Mr. Zhu is a long-time partner of the Canada Fund

• Snowland Service Group, in Yushu Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Qinghai Province Monitoring?

2 students in the English Training Program of the Nationalities Department, Qinghai Normal University personally visited 31 villages, four monasteries, and a Tibetan school. Benefits?

• Less organic material collected from the environment and burned. Organic material is natural fertilizer.

• Reduction in soil erosion, because bushes and other organic material will remain in place and not be collected and burned

• Less air pollution from burning organic material. • More girls will attend school because their duties as fuel collectors will be reduced • Health benefits to women and girls:

o Less exposure to smoky kitchens o Reduced labor demand for fuel collection o Less contact with dung

• Introduction of appropriate technology to remote rural areas • Community activist training. The students were required to write a project proposal according

to set guidelines. These proposals were read and, if approved, a general meeting was then held and students were given more information about the project. Every student was also required to write a final report. In addition, the two student monitors learned much about project implementation and monitoring, through visits to 36 of the sites. One of the monitors has since been hired by The Bridge Fund as a program associate to work primarily in Huangnan Prefecture. Fred’s recommendations, based on his field visits, also served as the main rationale for selecting six ETP student-implementers for a New Zealand Embassy sponsored solar cooker project in Qinghai and Gansu worth approximately 26,000 rmb (not counting the local contribution).

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Table 1: Project location, number of solar cookers per region, the Canada Fund’s contribution, and the local contribution.

Province/Region Prefecture/Region Number of Solar Cookers

Canada Fund Contribution

Local Contribution

Number of Villages

Number of Monasteries and Schools

Huangnan Prefecture

312 45,240 4,070 8 0

Hainan Prefecture 252 39,750 3,475 7 1 monasteryGolok Prefecture 40 6,800 400 1 1 schoolHaidong Region 443 64,195 23,550 14 0Haibei Prefecture 30 4,800 300 1 0

Qinghai 1,216 solar cookers (187,751 rmb)

Yushu Prefecture 139 26,966 0 4 1 schoolSichuan 60 solar cookers (11,640 rmb)

Ganzi Prefeture 60 11,640 0 1 District

0

TAR 161 solar cookers (31,394 rmb)

Chabmdo 161 31,394 0 1 District

0

Gannan Prefecture

266 41,220 2,660 7 3 monasteriesGansu 350 solar cookers (53,820 rmb)

Tianzhu County 84 12,600 840 4 0

Total 1787 284,605 35,295 48 6Amount Received from the Canada Fund 280,473.00 Interest 341.43 Total Canadian monies 280,814.43 Total Trace Foundation monies 1,633 Local contribution 35,295 Total Project Budget 317,742.43

Fred’s stipend 5,350.00 Joseph’s stipend 1,633.00 Travel, hotel fees, photo fees, etc. 8,646.80 Solar cookers 284,605.00

Expenses

Local contribution of materials and labor valued in rmb

17,508.00

Total Expenses, rmb 317,742.80

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Solar Cooker Expenditure by Area

16% Huangnan, Qinghai

45,240 rmb

4%Tianzhu, Gansu

12,600 rmb

14% Hainan, Qinghai39,750 rmb

2% Golok, Qinghai6,800 rmb

24% Haidong, Qingahi

64,195 rmb

2% Haibei, Qinghai4,800 rmb

9% Yushu, Qinghai26,966 rmb

4% Ganzi, Sichuan11,640 rmb

11% Chabmdo, TAR31,394 rmb

14% Gannan, Gansu41,220 rmb

Huangnan Prefecture Hainan Prefecture Golok Prefecture Haidong RegionHaibei Prefecture Yushu Prefeture Ganzi Prefeture ChabmdoGannan Prefecture Tianzhu County

Contributions

35,295 rmbLocal contribution

11%1,633 rmbTrace Foundation

1%

280,814.43 rmbCanada Fund

88%

Canada FundTrace FoundationLocal contribution

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Expenses by Sector

8,646.80 rmbTravel, hotel fees, photo fees, etc.

3%

1,633 rmbJoseph’s stipend

1%

17,508 rmbLocal

contribution of materials and labor valued in

rmb5%

5,350 rmb Fred’s stipend

2%

284,605 rmbSolar cookers

89%

Fred’s stipend

Joseph’s stipend

Travel, hotel fees, photofees, etc.

Solar cookers

Local contribution ofmaterials and laborvalued in rmb

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Part Two: Student Community Activist Solar Energy Training Project (Gansu-Qinghai)

a. Summary Dear Canada Fund,

The Canada Fund grant of 185,473 rmb that Benzhou and Caibukh-Namjel supervised has placed 1,240 solar cookers in 35 Tibetan villages, one Mongghul village, four Tibetan Buddhist monasteries and one Tibetan private middle school in Qinghai and Gansu provinces. The six tables below show exact project locations, number of solar cookers per village, the Canada Fund’s contribution, and the local contribution. Benzhou and Caibukh-Namjel personally visited 27 villages, four monasteries, and the private Tibetan school. Table No. 1: 305 of the most impoverished families in eight poor villages in Tongren and Jianzha counties in Huangnan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Qinghai Province received Canada Fund supported solar cookers. County Township Village Number of

solar cookers Unit price

Total amount

Local Contribution

Kajia 30+7 145 4,350 370Maba Qunwuyang 35 145 5,075 350

Niandu Quma 40 145 5,800 800Shuangpen Huangzhu 80 145 11,600 800

Tongren 215 solar cookers (31,175 rmb) Jiawo Jiangri 30 145 4,350 600

Dangshun Donggao 25 145 3,625 250Maketang Leijian 40 145 5,800 400

Jianzha

90 solar cookers (13,050 rmb)

Zhiganglaka Gabu 25 145 3,625 500

Total 305+7 44,225 4,070 Table No. 2: Eight Tibetan villages and one Tibetan Buddhist monastery in Hainan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture received 245 solar cookers from the Canada Fund Solar Cooker project. County Township Village Number of solar

cookers Unit price

Total amount

Local Contribution

Hebei Zang Monastery

40 170 6,800 400Tongde

Gumong Naren 25 170 4,250 375Guide Luohantang Nina 30+4 150 4,500 600

Sendao Yuanyi 25 160 4,000 250Guinan Mangla Kangxiang 40 160 6,400 600

Hulousi 25 150 3,750 500Taigei Lagan 30+3 150 4,500 450

Gonghe

Dongba Jialongtai 30 150 4,500 300Total 245+7 38,700 3,475

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Table No. 3: 270 solar cookers from the Canada Fund Solar Cooker Project were delivered and given to 270 of the poorest families in eight villages in Xunhua Salar and Hualong Hui autonomous counties in Haidong region, Qinghai Province.

County Township Village Number of solar cookers

Unit price

Total amount

Local Contribution

Daowei Taigalong 65 130 8,450 650Zhongkuzhasa 19 130 2,470 190Xiangyi 35 130 4,550 350

Xunhua Wendu

Beicaomu 41 130 5,330 410Awuju 25+5 130 3,250 300Jingyuan Ketang 25 130 3,250 250

Chuma Zhaxizhuang 30 130 3,900 300

Hualong

Xiongxian Banmatang 30 130 3,900 450Total 270+5 35,100 2,900

Table No. 4: Three Tibetan Buddhist monasteries and 11 Tibetan villages in Gannan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Gansu province received 266 solar cookers from the Canada Fund Solar Cooker Project.

County Township Village Number of solar cookers

Unit price

Total amount

Local Contribution

Malu Huergou 25 160 4,000 250Zhaxi Qukour Lang Monastery 45 160 7,200 450

Zhaoni

Zhagai Xialade 20 160 3,200 200Maqu Nina Sahar 19 170 3,230 190Luqu Lamo Gongba 24 160 3,840 240

Wanggertang Dilong Monastery

25 150 3,750 250

Zayi Mairi 16 150 2,400 160

Xiahe

Amqu Adoulou 17 150 2,550 170Kajiadao Gahongdao 25 150 3,750 250Hezou Jiamaogong Jiamaogong

Monastery 50 150 7,500 500

Total 266 41,420 2,660 Table No. 5: Three Tibetan villages and one Mongghul village in Tianzhu Tibetan Autonomous County, Gansu province received 84 Canada Fund supported solar cookers.

Township Village Number of solar cookers

Unit price

Total price

Local contribution

Tanshanlin Ayangou 14 150 2,100 140Saishisi Dongdasi 25 150 3,750 250Songshan Haimajuanhe 25 150 3,750 250Tiantang Chagan 20 150 3,000 200

Total 84 12,600 840

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Table No. 6: The Canada Fund provided 890 solar cookers valued at 129,625 rmb for 890 of the poorest families in 25 Tibetan villages, one Tibetan Buddhist monastery and one Tibetan private middle school in Qinghai Province AND financed the purchase of 350 solar cookers valued at 53,820 rmb for 350 families in ten Tibetan villages, three Tibetan Buddhist monasteries and one Mongghul village in Gansu Province. Province Prefecture/Region Number

of Solar cookers

Canada Fund’s contribution

Local contribution

Number of village

Number of monastery/school

Huangnan Prefecture

305 44,225 4,070 8 0

Hainan Prefecture 245 38,700 3,475 7 1 monasteryGolok Prefecture 40 6,800 400 1 1 schoolHaidong Region 270 35,100 2,900 8 0

Qinghai 890 solar cookers (129,625 rmb) Haibei Prefecture 30 4,800 300 1 0

Gannan Prefecture

266 41,220 2,660 7 3 monasteriesGansu 350 solar cookers (53,820 rmb)

Tianzhu County 84 12,600 840 4 0

Total 1240 183,445 14,645 36 5 Prior to receiving the Canada Fund supported solar cookers, people in impoverished communities faced great challenges in obtaining such organic fuels as wood and yak dung. In some areas, the poorest families cannot afford expensive coal. Women’s and girls’ eyes become irritated in smoky kitchens. Women’s’ and girls’ bodies become bent at an early age from carrying trees, bushes, and yak dung for fuel every day. Many girls were required by their families to collect fuel and could not attend school. The Canada Fund solar cooker project decreases use of organic fuels, reduces erosion and deforestation, increases enrollment of girls in school, saves families money that can be used on other much needed expenses, improves women’s health by deceasing the time they are exposed to fresh dung collection and smoke-filled kitchens, and releases women from the task of boiling drinking water in smoky kitchens, especially in summer. On behalf of all the 8,000 people in 1,240 households in 36 villages and five monasteries who will benefit for more than ten years from the Canada Fund solar cooker project, we extend sincere appreciation to the Canada Fund.

Sincerely,

Kevin Stuart

Benzhou (Fred)

Caibukh-Namjel (Joseph)

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b. Narrative Account: Project Implementation and Monitoring (by Benzhou)

1

On July 22, Joseph and I traveled to Niena Village, in Luohantang Township, Guide County, Hainan Prefecture, Qinghai Province. It is home to 200 households--130 Tibetan and 70 Chinese. The village received 30 solar cookers paid for by Canada Fund, and four more from local contributions totaling 600 rmb, or 20 rmb toward each solar cooker. Three were given to more impoverished families, and one was given to the primary school. Mr. Zentaijia, a 40-year-old resident of Niena village, took us to see all of these cookers.

We were told this village has about 800 mu of irrigated land, 0.5 mu/person. The main crop is wheat, which people use for their own consumption (bread, noodles), and to pay the government’s tax levies. Other crops include barley, rape, potatoes, and beans. In addition to farming, 70% of the residents have some livestock. In total, the village has 600 sheep and goats, 20 mules, and 60 donkeys. The average cash income is approximately 120 rmb/person/year. People earn cash by working for a nearby electricity plant, doing roadwork outside the area, and working at gold mining.

The main fuels are dung and straw, which people use for cooking, and for heating their sleeping platforms (kang) in the winter. Other fuels include tree branches, grass roots, leaves, and coal. Collecting fuel is difficult. To reach the grasslands takes four hours on foot. It is hard to find dung, as there are few livestock. Trees need more than seven years to be ready for cutting. People under 30 go up to mountains to dig grass roots, but it is dangerous, and causes erosion. Straw has other value, like feeding livestock, and doesn’t last more than three minutes as fuel. A straw fire must be tended constantly in a smoky kitchen, even to boil a kettle of water in the summer.

Because of the difficulties in collecting fuel, and the smoky kitchens, the villagers greatly appreciate the new solar cookers provided by the Canada Fund project. They said that now, they do not have to be in the smoky kitchen as much as before, especially in the summer. It takes only 15 minutes to boil a kettle of water on a solar cooker. Dishes, like meat and potatoes, can also be cooked, when the sun is strong enough.

Mr. Zentaijia said the Canada Fund project not only provided the 30 solar cookers, but also influenced many other families to buy solar cookers. They could see the advantages with their own eyes.

We interviewed a young female teacher at the village primary school. She said their solar cooker was very useful. There are 13 teachers in the school. Before, they had to burn coal to boil water, even during the hot summer. It was almost impossible to get a cup of tea in the school, because early mornings and late afternoons, teachers are busy checking students’ homework and writing lesson plans. At lunchtime, it is hot and unpleasant to make a fire. But now, with their solar cooker, they do not have to eat bread with cold water any more. In the summer, it boils more than 15 kettles of water per day without making any smoke in the schoolyard.

We spent the night in the primary school. Next morning after breakfast, we took the bus to Hainan Prefecture town site. At Dongba, we waited for the truck that was supposed to deliver 30 solar cookers to Jiarang village in Dongba Township. After more than three hours, we received a phone call from the drivers who said the truck had broken down, and couldn’t reach the village until the 25th - one and half days later than expected.

2 On the morning of 24th, we hired a car and went to Ragan Village, Taigei Township, Gonghe

County, Hainan Prefecture. Ragan has approximately 130 households and 600 people. All residents are Tibetan. The Canada Fund provided 30 solar cookers valued at 4,500 rmb for 30 impoverished

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families. The local contribution was 450 rmb in total (15 rmb from each household), which was used to purchase three additional solar cookers.

About 88 families live mostly on the grassland. They come to the village only to plant crops and harvest. The other 42 families have few livestock and mostly stay in the village, doing farming. The village has about 490 mu of irrigated land (0.8 mu/person). The main crop is wheat. Other crops are rape, potatoes and beans. The grassland is more than 80 km. from the village. This village has 3,500 sheep and goats.

We talked with Mr. Zaxidongzhi, a former village leader, and some elders. They told us that before 1986, Ragan village was located near the Yellow River. There, they had a large amount of good irrigated land. In 1986, the Hainan Prefecture government built Longya Dam there and forced them to migrate to a nomadic area to herd livestock. In the first four years, they didn’t earn much money. They didn’t have any experience, as they were farmers. After their fifth year, they started to earn some money. Then the government sent many people to this area to dig a kind of medical herb, causing one third of the grassland to slowly turn to desert. As a result they were forced to move to another area to do both farming and herding, but their land is rocky and difficult to cultivate. Water is limited, and the grassland where most of the families live is 80 km. away from the village. Now Ragan is the poorest village in Gonghe County, and all villagers wish to go to another place.

They also said it was impossible to describe in words how terrible their herding area is these years, unless you yourself go there and look. In June 2003, a Tibetan Buddhist monk, who comes from Ragan village and lives in a monastery in inner China, brought several Han Chinese women from inner China to Ragan and took them to the herding area. When those Han women saw the herding area, they cried and said, “This area is not a living place for people or for animals.” When they left Ragan, they promised to provide tuition money for 20 students and asked all villagers to pray to be born in inner China in their next lives. Average village cash income is approximately 120 rmb/person/year. People earn cash by selling sheep, goats, and wool. Young people work outside the area doing roadwork, and providing any kind of physical labor.

After our talk with Mr. Zhaxidongzhi and the elders, they led us to more than 15 families who received the Canada Fund solar cookers. We saw that villagers live in adobe-wood rooms constructed at a corner of a rectangular-shaped open yard. They do not have doors for their yards, except for a few well-off families. We saw villagers boiling water, cooking potatoes, and baking bread on the solar cookers.

The main fuel in Ragan is straw. Other fuels include tree branches, grass roots, goat dung, and coal. Yak dung is not available because their herding area is too far from the village.

3 On the morning of 25th, we hired a car and went to Jiarang Village in Dongba County.

Unfortunately, the car broke down half way, so we walked up mountains for about one hour and finally reached Jiarang. The solar cooker factory truck had arrived early in the morning. The villagers had already unloaded the cookers, and were busy moving them to their homes. Joseph and I talked with the villagers, visited several households, and helped install the cookers.

Jiarang is located about 30 km. north of the administrative center of Dongba Township, Gonghe Tibetan Autonomous County, Hainan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture. It is home to approximately 62 households and 346 people. All residents are Tibetan. The village is located at a mountain shoulder. The villagers live in adobe-wood rooms constructed around a central rectangular-shaped open courtyard. They have 1250 mu of unirrigated land. The main crop is wheat. Other crops include barley, rape, potatoes, and beans. Agriculture in the village is difficult because drought is common. When drought strikes, crop yields are low. The fields are rocky and difficult to cultivate. Sometimes hail destroys crops, and cultivation is non-mechanized. Plowing is done with mules, and other activities, like weeding and harvesting, are done by hand. In addition to farming, a few families

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have livestock. In total, the village has 600 sheep, 62 mules and 23 donkeys. Average cash income is approximately 120 rmb/person/year. Most people earn cash by working outside the area doing roadwork and other kinds of physical labor.

Jiarang villagers burn straw and dung to cook. Dung is collected from the grassland, which is 85 km. away. Every month, three or four people from each household leave for the grassland in the early morning with a tractor, to collect dung. At the grassland they have to handle the dung the whole day and spend one night there. The next day, in the late afternoon, they can be back at the village, if they are lucky and it has not rained. Sometimes they go, and come back with their tractor empty. The Canada Fund provided 30 solar cookers valued at 4,500 rmb for 30 impoverished families in Jiarang village. The local contribution was 300 rmb (each household contributed 10 rmb).

4 In the afternoon of the same day, Joseph and I descended to Yuanyi Village. It is located

about five km. south of the administrative center of Guinan Tibetan Autonomous County, Hainan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Qinghai Province. Yuanyi is home to approximately 45 households and 348 people. All are Tibetan. The village has five separate parts that are quite far from each other. They have about 150 mu of unirrigated land, 0.5mu/person. The main crops are rape and wheat. Currently, the government has made a policy that villagers can’t plant crops in their fields. Instead of planting crops, they should plant fodder. They cannot cut grass or herd livestock in those fields. The government will grant 20 rmb and 100 kilos of flour per mu per year for eight years. After that, the village will lose their fields and won’t receive anything more. Each household has livestock. In total, the village has 5,000 sheep and 500 yaks. Average cash income is approximately 200 rmb/person/year. People earn cash by selling butter, yak hair, wool, livestock, and cheese. The village doesn’t have the custom of working outside the area to earn extra money.

All families in Yuanyi burn dung for cooking. Nowadays, a few well-off families burn coal sometimes. Dung is collected from the grassland, which is 15 km. away. Each household goes to the grassland to collect yak and sheep dung at least twice a month. They leave for the grassland early in the morning with a tractor and return late afternoon.

During our visit to Yuanyi, and Lecang Tibetan Buddhist Monastery, we interviewed several people and learned that before the Canada Fund solar cooker project, there were no solar cookers in Sendao Tibetan Autonomous Township. They didn’t know the advantages of a solar cooker, even though it is a perfect place, in terms of weather and temperature. But now, they have discovered the advantages of solar cookers. A kettle of water can be boiled in 15 minutes without any smoke. Some well-off families, which didn’t get the Canada Fund supported cookers, bought solar cookers with their own money. They also said that in addition to boiling water, they use the cookers to bake bread, heat milk, cook noodles, and meat, sometimes. It saves time and makes personal washing, and washing of clothes, easier.

The Canada Fund provided 25 solar cookers valued at 4,000 rmb for 13 impoverished families in Yuanyi, and for 12 monks in Lecang Monastery. The local contribution was 250 rmb (each household contributed 10 rmb).

5 The next morning (July 26th) after breakfast, we descended to Kangxiang Tibetan village.

During our visit to the 40 households that received the Canada Fund supported solar cookers, we interviewed several women, and got the following information from the village leader and some elders.

Kangxiang is located about 40 km. southwest of the administrative center of Guinan Tibetan Autonomous County, Hainan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Qinghai Province. It is home to

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approximately 100 households and 430 people. All are Tibetan. It is located in a valley surrounded by mountains. The villagers live in adobe-wood rooms constructed around a central rectangular-shaped open courtyard.

The village has 600 mu of irrigated land. The main crop is wheat, which people use for self-consumption (bread, noodles), and to pay the government’s tax levies. Other crops include barley, rape, potatoes, and beans. Agriculture in the village is difficult because drought is common. During drought, crop yields are low. Cultivation of crops is nonmechanized. Plowing is done with mules. Weeding and harvesting are done by hand. In addition to farming, each household has livestock. In total, the village has 2,000 sheep, 3,000 goats, 100 mules and 25 donkeys. Average village cash income is approximately 1,000 rmb/person/year. People earn cash by selling sheep, goats, wool, and crops, when the yields are high, and by working outside the area at roadwork and gold mining.

The main fuels are dung and straw, which people use for cooking and heating their beds in the winter. Other fuels include tree branches, grass roots, leaves, and coal. The village has been having a fuel shortage dilemma due to the government policy not allowing cutting trees and bushes. Cutting trees had been the principle fuel resource, but because the forests are depleted, villagers are now forced to pay much money to purchase coal in the town. They also dig bushes from the mountains (which leads to erosion) and collect dung on the grassland, which requires one days’ travel on foot. Straw, which can be used for other purposes, like feeding livestock, produces a lot of smoke, and requires a bundle of straw to boil a kettle of water. Having a solar cooker installed in each household has helped to solve these major problems. The Canada Fund provided 40 solar cookers valued at 6,400 rmb for the families in Kangxiang. The local contribution was 600 rmb (each household contributed 15 rmb).

6 Next, we drove back to the Guinan County town as quickly as possible. There is only one bus

from Gonghe County, capital town of Hainan Tibetan Autonomous Prefect, crossing Guinan County Town and going to Tongde County, which was our next destination. The bus arrives in Guinan around 1:00, and if we missed the bus, we would have to spend another day there. We got there before the bus, and arrived at Tongde Tibetan Autonomous County around 6:30 p.m. on the same day (July 26th). We spent the night there, and at 9:30 the next morning (July 27th), we hired a Jeep and left for Naren. During our visit, we got the following information from the village leader and elders.

Naren Tibetan village is located about 30 km. north of the administrative center of Tongde Tibetan Autonomous County, Hainan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Qinghai Province. It is home to approximately 216 households and 755 people. All residents are Tibetan. The village has three separate parts that are quite far from each other. The village has livestock: 4,500 sheep, 950 goats and 700 yaks. The villagers rely almost solely on yak and sheep dung) for fuel. In this remote area, the Tibetan people struggle to collect dung from the grasslands, which are 30 km. away. The Canada Fund provided 25 solar cookers valued at 4,250 rmb for 25 impoverished families in Naren. The local contribution was 375 rmb (each household contributed 15 rmb).

Mr. Baimayangben, a 38 years old resident, said before his family received a solar cooker, they needed two bags of yak dung every day, for cooking and heating. Now, one bag is enough. He also said that the cooker is clearly a time saver, as well as a labor saver. In summer, one girl or woman per household spends on average 3-4 days per week collecting dung. This is an all day activity. Dung is collected from the grassland and carried back home. Their hands are red and very painful in winter from handling the dung.

When we finished visiting the 25 households, we returned Tongde. It was already 5: p.m., and there wasn’t any bus to Zang Tibetan Buddhist Monastery, so we spent the night.

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7

Early on the morning of July 28th, we received a phone call from Ian (a first year student in the TEP in Xining) and learned that a truck loaded with 40 solar cookers, and another small truck loaded with 19 solar cookers were arriving at Zang Tibetan Buddhist Monastery and Jiumei Jiancan Private Middle School on that day, as we had expected. We called Clifford (another student) and asked him to be at the school when the small truck got there. Then we caught the bus at 7:30 a.m. After a few hours of bumping in an old oily bus, we arrived at the place where we planned to meet Ian and the big truck. From there, we (the driver, driver’s assistant, Ian, Joseph and me) went by truck to Zang monastery. The small truck went to Jiumei School. At lunchtime, we safely reached the monastery. We unloaded the 40 solar cookers with help from the monks, and moved them into a big yard. We had lunch with Zang Monastery Committee and got the following information:

Zang Tibetan Buddhist Monastery is located about 60 km. northeast of the administrative center of Hebei Township, Tongde Tibetan Autonomous County, Hainan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Qinghai Province. Zang has approximately 500 monks’ quarters and 800 monks. All monks are Tibetan. It is located at the borders of Huangnan, Hainan, and Golok Tibetan Autonomous Prefectures, in Qinghai Province. Because of the location, there are monks from all three different prefectures. Some are very far from their homes. Three or four monks sometimes live together in one monk’s quarters. The monastery only has 20 yaks.

Monks in Zang rely almost solely on yak dung and wood for fuel. Coal is expensive to buy and transport. Monks from nearby villages have enough yak dung, because their families collect it and transport it to the monastery. But monks from distant places have problems. They must borrow yak dung from other monks, and buy bags when it is possible, to replace the borrowed fuel. One bag of yak dung costs 3-3.5 rmb.

The Canada Fund provided 40 solar cookers valued at 6,800 rmb for monks in Zang. The local contribution was 400 rmb (each household contributed 10 rmb).

8 We spent the night at Ian’s home. Early the next morning, we left for Jiumei Jiancan Private

School in Rma Chen County, Golok Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture. Ten of the Canada Fund supported solar cookers had arrived there only the day before our arrival, and were still in the school-yard uninstalled under a teacher’s care. The school head master was away. The teacher said they would choose ten dormitories to use these cookers, and take care them until the school head master returned.

The school is located beside the Yellow river, next to Rajia Tibetan Buddhist Monastery, and surrounded by rocky-mountains. On the day we arrived, it was scorching. When we asked local people about the weather, we found it was usually hotter than Xining, especially in summer. Solar cookers can be used the whole year round in this area, when it is sunny.

[In March 2004, I asked Clifford how those ten cookers have been working in the school. He said that from the beginning of August 2003, 13 dormitories (about 104 students from Sichuan and Gansu Provinces) use the cookers for boiling water, heating leftovers, and cooking simple dishes on Saturday and Sunday. They like the cookers very much and sent thanks to the Canada Fund.]

In the afternoon, we asked more than four buses heading to Xining to take us, but all of them were full of caterpillar fungus diggers and road builders. Very late in the evening, we caught a ride on a truck, and arrived at Xining around 11:30 the next morning (July 30, 2003).

In Xining, we took a day off to take showers and wash our dirty clothes.

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On August 1, 2003, we left Xining for our next destinations: Xunhua Salar Autonomous County and Huangnan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture. The Canada Fund had sponsored four solar cooker projects in Xunhua and eight solar cooker projects in Huangnan, providing 465 solar cookers valued at 65,025 rmb.

Early on August 2, we hired a car and went to Taigalong Village, which is located at a mountain shoulder. All residents are Tibetan. Villagers live in adobe-wood rooms constructed around a central rectangular-shaped open courtyard.

The villagers rely almost solely on yak dung and bush for fuel. Coal is too expensive to buy and transport to the village.

The Canada Fund provided 65 solar cookers valued at 8,450 rmb for 65 impoverished families in the village. The villagers contributed 650 rmb in total towards the 65 solar cookers (calculated as a 10 rmb contribution per household).

Villagers take turns to herd the yaks and cows in mountain areas surrounding them. The shepherds are in the same area with their sheep. In July, the villagers go to the grasslands that have been designated for their village. To reach these areas requires three hours on foot.

Average cash income is approximately 150 rmb/person/year (900 rmb a year per household). People earn cash by selling butter, yak hair and livestock, collecting caterpillar fungus (a medicinal herb), and some young men work outside the area doing construction work. Despite these outside sources of income, several households in the village did not have an adequate supply of food during the year.

10 Late in the afternoon, we reached Zhongkuzhasa Tibetan Village, located 12 km. northeast of

the administrative center of Wendu Salar Township, Xunhua Salar Autonomous County, Haidong Region, Qinghai Province. Zhongkuzhasa is home to approximately 19 households and 114 people. All are Tibetan. It is in a valley surrounded by mountains. Villagers live in adobe-wood rooms constructed around a central rectangular-shaped open courtyard. We visited about seven households, and interviewed 7-10 women. We had three hours’ conversation with the village leader and some village elders.

The village has 80 mu of irrigated land and 120 mu of unirrigated land. The main crop is wheat, which people use for self-consumption (bread, noodles), and to pay the government’s tax levies. Other crops include barley, rape, potatoes, and beans. Much of the agricultural work is the duty of women. Farming in the village is difficult. Drought is common, so crop yields are often low. The irrigated land is very limited. Chemical fertilizer, which local people believe greatly increases crops yields, is expensive. Sometimes ‘fake’ materials are sold as fertilizer. As in other villages, cultivation of crops is non-mechanized. Plowing is done with mules and horses. Other activities, such as weeding and harvesting, are done by hand. In addition to farming, each household has livestock. In total, the village has 60 yaks, 1,150 sheep, 350 goats, 22 mules, and 6 donkeys.

Average cash income is approximately 150 rmb/person/year (900 rmb/year/family). People earn cash by selling butter, yak hair, wool, livestock, and cheese. Young men work outside the area collecting caterpillar fungus (a medicinal herb), doing roadwork, constructing animal shelters, and gold mining. Despite these outside sources of income, several households in each village do not have an adequate supply of food during the year.

The Canada Fund provided 19 solar cookers valued at 2,470 rmb for Zhongkuzhaas. The local contribution is 190 rmb (each household contributed 10 rmb).

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11 Early on August 3, we left for Beicaomu Administrative Village, located 18 km. northeast of

Wendu. The village is home to approximately 310 households and 1,670 people. All are Tibetan. It is in a valley surrounded by mountains. Villagers live in adobe-wood rooms constructed around a central rectangular-shaped open courtyard. There, we visited around eight households, interviewed some old women (young women were not available because of the harvest), and had a conversation with the village leader, and some village elders.

The village has 600 mu of irrigated land and 900 mu of unirrigated land. The main crop is wheat, which people use for self-consumption (bread, noodles), and to pay tax levies. Other crops include barley, rape, potatoes, and beans. Much of the agricultural work is the duty of women. Agriculture in the village is difficult because drought is common. In addition to farming, each household has livestock. In total, the village has 1,300 yaks, 2,300 sheep, 3,410 goats, 15 horses, 340 mules, and 30 donkeys. Because of government’s high tax, most families find it very hard to buy basic family needs, such as coal, even though they have some livestock.

Average annual cash income is approximately 130 rmb/person (1800 rmb/household). People earn cash by selling butter, yak hair, wool, livestock, and cheese, and young men often work outside the area collecting caterpillar fungus (a medicinal herb), and at roadwork. Despite these outside sources of income, as in many villages, several households in each village do not have an adequate supply of food during the year. .

Most families are not able to afford solar cookers, even though they knew the advantages of them, and were eager to have one. The Canada Fund helped a few families achieve their dream, and greatly decreased the use of organic fuels, saving women’s time and labor, increasing student enrolment, leaving more straw to feed weak animals, and generally improving the environment.

The Canada Fund provided 41 solar cookers valued at 5,330 rmb for 41 impoverished households in Beicaomu. The local contribution was 410 rmb (each household contributed 10 rmb).

12 Next, we went to Xiangyi Administrative Village, located 12 km. northeast of Wendu. This

village is home to approximately 98 households and 530 people. All are Tibetan. It is located in a valley surrounded by mountains. Villagers live in adobe-wood rooms constructed around a central rectangular-shaped open courtyard.

The village has 1,200 mu of irrigated land and 760 mu of unirrigated land. The main crop is wheat, which people use for self-consumption (bread, noodles), and to pay the government’s taxes. Other crops include barley, rape, potatoes, and beans. Much of the agricultural work is the duty of women. Agriculture in the village is difficult because drought is common. In addition to farming, each household has livestock. In total, the village has 420yaks, 2,100 sheep, 980 goats, 5 horses, 102 mules, and 30 donkeys.

Average annual cash income is approximately 150 rmb/person (900rmb/family). People earn cash by digging caterpillar fungus outside the area, doing any kind of construction work, and selling butter, yak hair, wool, livestock, and cheese. Despite these outside sources of income, several households in each village do not have an adequate supply of food during the year.

The Canada Fund provided 35 solar cookers valued at 4550 rmb for 35 impoverished households in Xiangyi. The local contribution was 350 rmb (each household contributed 10 rmb).

In the late afternoon of the same day, we took a bus to Tongren County, Huangnan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture.

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13 We rented a car and went to see the Canada Fund solar cooker project in Honri, Kohtse,

Chimar, Ningda, and Ningjia Tibetan villages in the east of Rebgong (Tongren) County, the capital of Rmalho (Huangnan) Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture. The village is home to approximately 320 households and 1,760 people. All are Tibetan. They live in adobe-wood rooms constructed around a central rectangular-shaped open courtyard.

Villagers support themselves by raising livestock (cattle and sheep) and farming (barley, wheat, potatoes, edible-oil bearing plants). Diminishing rainfall, particularly since1994, has reduced returns, making life more difficult. Average annual cash income is 100 rmb/person (600-700 rmb/family). People earn cash by selling butter, yak hair, wool, livestock, and cheese. Young men work outside the area collecting caterpillar fungus (a medicinal herb), doing roadwork, and constructing animal shelters. Despite these outside sources of income, several households in each village do not have an adequate supply of food during the year.

During our visit to two of these four natural villages, we had conversations with villagers, and village leaders.

In summer one girl or woman per household spends on average 3-4 days per week collecting dung. This is an all day activity. Dung is collected from a particular grassland, and to reach this place takes four hours on foot. Dung is collected and piled. This effort requires at least ten hours. The following day, the woman or girl returns with it. Demand for fuel increases as the season changes, so daily trips to the grassland are required. In spring and autumn, on average, one girl or woman per household spends six hours every day, collecting firewood. This is done by walking two hours to a forest, spending around two hours using a sickle attached to the end of a long pole to cut tree branches, loading the branches on donkeys, and then spending another two hours to return home. Because of the amount of labor required to fuel, some families do not send one or more of their daughters to school.

The 80 solar cookers purchased with Canada Fund’s donation have changed significantly these conditions in Honri, Kohtse, Chimar, Ningda, and Ningjia Tibetan villages. A solar cooker can be used 300 days a year in this area. The villagers can use their solar cookers for up to ten hours a day in summer and six hours a day in winter.

14 On August 5, we hired a car and went to Jianri, which is located on the side of a mountain

above a river valley, and surrounded by mountains. It is the second to last village along the track going south before it reaches a large herding area. Villagers were busy with the harvest, so there weren’t many people we could interview. We visited some households and talked to about six men and women.

Jiawu Jiangri Village is home to approximately 60 households and 420 people. All are Tibetan. Villagers live in adobe-wood rooms constructed around a central rectangular-shaped open courtyard.

The village has about 1,000 mu of un-irrigated land. The main crop of wheat and barley is used for subsistence, and none is sold. Other crops include rape and potatoes. The average yield of this land is 100 kg/mu. In addition to farming, each household has livestock. In total, the village has 60 yaks, 3,000 sheep, 33 mules and 15 cows. Villagers take turns to herd the yaks and cows in mountain areas surrounding the village. Average cash income is approximately 300 rmb/person/year (2000 rmb a year per household). People earn cash by selling butter, yak hair and livestock, collecting caterpillar fungus (a medicinal herb). Some young men work outside the area, doing roadwork.

The villagers of Jiawu Jiangri rely almost solely on yak dung and wood for fuel. Coal is too expensive to buy and transport to the village.

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The Canada Fund provided 30 solar cookers valued at 4,350 rmb for 30 impoverished households. The local contribution was 600 rmb (each household contributed 20 rmb).

15 On the afternoon of the same day, we went to Quma Tibetan Administrative Village, located

12 kilometers south of the capital town of Huangnan Tibetan autonomous Prefecture. Quma has nine villages. Quma is home to approximately 300 households and 1,550 people. All are Tibetan. Villagers live in adobe-wood rooms constructed around a central rectangular-shaped open courtyard.

The Canada Fund provided 40 solar cookers valued at 5,800 rmb for 40 impoverished households in Quma. The local contribution was 800 rmb (each household contributed 20 rmb).

The village has 750 mu of irrigated land and 1,200 mu of unirrigated land. The main crop is wheat, which people use for self-consumption (bread, noodles), and to pay tax levies. Other crops include barley, rape, potatoes, and beans. Much of the agricultural work is the duty of women. Agriculture is difficult as drought is common. The unirrigated fields are rocky and difficult to cultivate, and irrigated land is very limited. Cultivation of crops is non-mechanized. Plowing is done with mules and horses. Other activities, such as weeding and harvesting, are done by hand. In addition to farming, each household has livestock. In total, the village has 300 cows, 1450 goats, 30 mules, and 50 donkeys. Villagers take turns herding the yaks and cows in the mountains.

Average annual cash income is approximately 220 rmb/person. People earn cash by selling wool. Young men work outside the area collecting caterpillar fungus (a medicinal herb), doing any kind of construction work, and gold mining. Despite these outside sources of income, several households in each natural village do not have an adequate supply of food during the year.

The mail fuel is yak dung, even though there isn’t much around. Before this project, two or three people from each household spent more than two days per week collecting yak dung on the grassland 100 km. away, and transporting it to the village by tractors. They told us that one tractor load of yak dung lasts only a month. Since the arrival of the solar cookers, villagers boil water, and cook simple dishes on the cookers, and they think a tractor load will last for two months, at least. They also told us that neighbors come to boil water on their solar cookers whenever they are not using them. In this place, we heard the same positive things about the solar cookers we had heard in many other villages.

16 On the morning of August 6, we went to Kajia village in Maba Township, located in the east

of Tongren County about 15 minutes drive from the town. Maba Township has more than ten villages but Kajia is considered to be the poorest. It is home to 56 households, but the households are living separately. One group of families, 37 households, has already moved down to the bottom of the mountain where they have irrigated fields. There are 230 people in those 37 households and they have 110 mu of irrigated land. Since 1996, drought is common and the yields are very low. The other 19 households are still living on mountain. The way from the bottom to the top of the mountain is very steep. No vehicles are able to go to their village. It is steep, and they have to be very careful. The households at the bottom of the mountain have only a few fields and no sources of money, so they have to buy everything with wheat and barley. In addition to farming, a few well-off families have livestock. The richest families in this village have 20 goats and 45 sheep. Most families do not have any livestock.

The village used to collect brush from a nearby forest, but currently, cutting trees and bushes is forbidden. Now villagers are experiencing a fuel shortage. They burn dung and straw for heating and cooking. Straw produces a lot of smoke, and a bundle of straw is required to boil a kettle of water. Women and girls spend most of their time collecting fuel. Many children are not sent to

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school because they are needed to herd livestock and collect fuel. Young girls especially are kept at home to do all the housework and have no chance to go to school.

We found the above information when we were visiting households, and had two hours’ conversation with village leaders and elders. We also heard the following positive things about solar cookers:

• A large kettle of water can be boiled in 16 minutes • Villagers burn much less firewood and straw than before • The straw can now be used to feed livestock or heat sleeping platforms (kang) • Food, such as potatoes, bread, and meat, can be cooked in a more hygienic way. • The burden on women to collect organic fuels is generally decreased. The Canada Fund provided 30 solar cookers valued at 4,350 rmb for 30 impoverished

households in Kajia. The local contribution was 300 rmb (each household contributed 10 rmb).

17 On the afternoon of the same day, we went to Qunwuyang Village, home to approximately 96

households and 530 people. All residents are Tibetan. Villagers live in adobe-wood rooms constructed around a central rectangular-shaped open courtyard.

When we arrived there, villagers were busy with harvesting, and young people were not available at all. Fortunately, most village elders were boiling water on the Canada Fund provided solar cookers, and doing some simple work at the threshing ground. We took some photos of old people boiling water and cooking simple food on the solar cookers, and had a long conversation with village elders at the threshing ground.

The village has 800 mu of irrigated land. The main crop is wheat, which people use for self-consumption (bread, noodles), and to pay taxes. Other crops include barley, rape, potatoes, and beans. In addition to farming, each household has one cow. The village doesn’t have any yaks or sheep. Average annual cash income is approximately350rmb/person. People earn cash by selling wheat. Some young men work outside the area collecting caterpillar fungus (a medicinal herb), building roads, constructing animal shelters, and gold mining.

Qunwuyang used to cut trees from a nearby forest, but now it is prohibited. Now, some well-off families buy coal, but most families spend a lot of time every day collecting yak dung on the grassland, one hour by foot from the village. After the Canada Fund supported solar cooker project, villagers have more time to do other things. Women do not have to spend as much time in the smoky kitchen. Children do not have to collect yak dung any more, and can attend school.

The Canada Fund provided 35 solar cookers valued at 5,075 rmb for 35 impoverished households in Qunwuyuan. The local contribution is 350 rmb (each household contributed 10 rmb).

On August 7, we finished visiting those eight project sites, collecting feedback and data. We left Tongren for Jianzha by bus.

18 Early on August 8, we hired a car and went to Gabu Tibetan Administrative Village. Gabu

consists of four natural villages and is home to approximately 300 households and 1,250 people. Villagers live in adobe-wood rooms constructed around a central rectangular-shaped open courtyard. We visited five of the 25 families that had received the solar cookers, and interviewed about six village elders.

The village has 700 mu of irrigated land and 1,170 mu of unirrigated land. The main crop is wheat, which people use for self-consumption (bread, noodles) and to pay the government’s tax levies. Other crops include barley, rape, potatoes, and beans. Much of the agricultural work is the

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duty of women. Agriculture in the village is difficult because drought is common. Unirrigated fields are rocky and difficult to cultivate, and irrigated land is very limited. In addition to farming, each household has livestock. In total, the village has 600 yaks, 1,500 sheep, 1,000 goats, 250 mules, and 50 donkeys.

Average annual cash income is approximately 120 rmb/person. People earn cash by selling wheat. Some young men work outside the area collecting caterpillar fungus (a medicinal herb), building roads, and constructing animal shelters. Despite these outside sources of income, several households do not have an adequate supply of food during the year.

The Canada Fund provided 25 solar cookers valued at 3,625 rmb. The local contribution was 500 rmb (each household contributed 20 rmb).

19 On the afternoon of the same day, we went to Leijian Village, which is located nine

kilometers west of the administrative center of Jianzha Tibetan Autonomous County, Huangnan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Qinghai Province. It is home to approximately 98 households and 745 people. All are Tibetan. Leijian has two separate parts--11 families on the mountain and 87 families at the bottom of the mountain. Villagers live in adobe-wood rooms constructed around a central rectangular-shaped open courtyard.

The village has 500 mu of irrigated land and 100 mu of unirrigated land. The main crop is wheat, which people use for self-consumption (bread, noodles) and to pay taxes. Other crops include barley, rape, potatoes, and beans. Much of the agricultural work is the duty of women. Here too, drought is common. When drought strikes, crop yields are low. In addition to farming, some well-off families have goats. In total, the village has 500 goats.

The average cash income is approximately 1500 rmb/family. People earn cash by selling vegetable, and young men work outside the area collecting caterpillar fungus (a medicinal herb), and doing any kind of construction work. Despite these outside sources of income, several households do not have an adequate supply of food during the year.

A few well-off families are able to buy some coal during winter, but most families still had to struggle to collect fuel on the mountains. After the project was funded, villagers held a meeting and selected 39 impoverished families, including the 11 families on the mountain who deal with many problems, such as water, and fuel. They agreed to give one to the village primary school. Villagers were very excited and satisfied with the quality of the cookers, and told us of many advantages:

• Decreases use of organic fuel • Limits erosion; • Limits deforestation • Increases enrollment of girls in school • Saves families money that can be used to pay other much needed expenses • Improves woman’s health by decreasing the time they are exposed to fresh dung collection and smoke-

filled kitchens The Canada Fund provided 40 solar cookers valued at 5,800 rmb. The local contribution was

400 rmb (each household contributed 10 rmb). 40 impoverished Tibetan families in Lejian Village now have solar cookers.

On August 9, we returned to Xining and had a three-day vacation (August 10-12, 2003) to put together the information we’d collected, and to prepare for our next trip.

20 On August 13, we left for Gangcha County in Haibei Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture,

Qinghai Province. There was one solar cooker project for a nomadic village nearby the county town.

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The Canada Fund provided 30 solar cookers valued at 4,800 rmb, and the local contribution was 300 rmb (10 rmb/household).

We visited the village few days after the solar cooker were delivered. At that time, most families had moved to their summer places, and there weren’t many people in the village except elders. We saw solar cookers in a family yard and an old man taking care of them. He told us they’d already chosen 30 impoverished families. They planed to give cookers to them when they come back some time in October. There wasn’t anybody who knew much about the village at that moment. So we spent the night at Gangcha, and next morning, returned to Xining.

[In March 3, 2004, Joline told me that they’d distributed the cookers to those 30 families last October, when they were back from their summer places. The sunny days in autumn and spring make it possible for the solar cookers to be put to good use.]

On August 15th, we began our trip to Gansu Province. The Canada Fund funded four solar cooker projects in Tianzhu Tibetan Autonomous County, and ten solar cooker projects in Gannan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, providing 350 solar cookers valued at 54,020 rmb.

21 Late in the afternoon of August 16, we arrived at Delong Tibetan Buddhist Monastery.

Delong is located about 18 km. northwest of the administrative center of Xiahe Tibetan Autonomous County, Gannan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Gansu Province. It is home to approximately 25 monks’ quarters and 50 monks. All monks are Tibetan. They rely solely on wood for fuel. Coal is too expensive to buy and transport to the monastery. Families have to support the monks.

This project was helpful for Delong monastery, because the weather there is very hot, and the Canada Fund supported solar cookers can be used more than 250 days in a year. When we were visiting monks’ houses and observing the solar cookers, monks told us that before this project, their families had to collect firewood from the village forest, if they had one, and transport it to the monastery twice a year. They also told us that a kettle of water can be boiled in 15 minutes and they can easily cook some simple food such as potatoes on the solar cookers. They thought now, one tractor load of wood would be enough for them for one year, because they would not have to make a fire to boil water and cook in the summer.

The Canada Fund provided 25 solar cookers valued at 3,750 rmb for Delong. The local contribution was 250 rmb (each household contributed 10 rmb).

We next went to Labrang Tibetan Buddhist Monastery and spent the night there. Next morning around 9:, we left for Hezuo and arrived there around 10:30 on the same day (August 17).

22 After we had brunch at Hezuo Town, we hired a car and left for Mairi Tibetan Village, which

is home to 16 households and 135 people. Mairi Village is in an arid mountain area characterized by poor transportation. Villagers support themselves by raising livestock (yak and sheep). The village has, in total, 1,700 sheep, and 200 yaks. In addition to herding, each household has some fields to grow barley and edible-oil bearing plants. In recent years, drought is common, which means that returns from raising livestock and farming have become increasingly less, making life difficult for many families. Younger men and older boys attempt to earn money by doing construction work, business, and digging for medicinal herbs.

The 16 solar cookers purchased with Canada Fund’s donation is significantly changing conditions in Mairi in these ways:

• Less organic matter is taken from the forest and mountains, and solar cookers produce no smoke

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• Women have more time to do other things and no longer spend so much time collecting fuel. • Women and girls had been collecting the bekhum bush, because of the diminishing forest

resources. This bush has a poisonous substance that harms the collectors’ faces. Now they no longer will collect this bush.

• Impoverished elderly village women who did not own donkeys had to carry dung on their backs long distances. The solar cookers have eased their plight.

• When the village women reached steep mountainous forests, donkeys were unable to navigate and women and girls had to carry the wood on their backs. The solar cookers have eased this dangerous situation.

• Villagers are able to easily boil water and cook such items as potatoes. • Bathing is easier and more frequent because of the amount of available hot water. • It is easier to wash clothing because warm water can be used. The local contribution was 160 rmb (each household contributed 10 rmb).

23 On August 18, we took a bus to Maqu at 8: a.m. and arrived at around 4: p.m. There was road

construction all the way from Hezuo to Maqu, and it took more than eight hours to reach there. The Canada Fund provided 19 solar cookers, valued at 3230 rmb, to 19 impoverished

households in the poor nomadic village of Nima. Morning on August 19, we went to see the solar cookers in Nima. Unexpectedly, we saw the

cookers were in the village leader’s family yard, being looked after by his relative. This relative told us the solar cookers were delivered only one day before our visit. Most villagers, including the village leader, had gone to Labrang Monastery for the 11th Panchen Lama’s visit. He told us that the village had held a meeting and selected the 19 impoverished households to receive the Canada Fund supported solar cookers. In the village leader’s family yard, we installed one solar cooker and boiled water on it. It took 17 minutes. We couldn’t wait for the villagers’ return.

That afternoon, we left for Gongba village in Luqu County.

24 Gongba Administrative village is home to 200 households and 1,000 people. Villagers

support themselves by raising livestock (yak and sheep). The village has, in total, 30,000 sheep and 7,200 yaks. Well-off families have more than 70 yaks. Generally, this village is richer than any of the 23 villages we’d visited so far, but about 30 families only had 2-3 yaks.

The Canada Fund provided 24 solar cookers valued at 3,840 rmb for 24 impoverished households in Gongba. The local contribution was 240 rmb (each household contributed 10 rmb).

Villagers burn yak dung for cooking and heating. Women from each household collect yak dung from grassland and carry it on their backs, every day. The girls’ and women’s’ hands are red and painful from handling the dung. The solar cooker project has brought considerable comfort and unbelievable benefits to the local environment and local communities.

The 24 solar cookers purchased with Canada Fund’s donation have been significantly changing conditions in Gongba, especially for the 24 most impoverished households.

• Less work to be done in the smoky kitchen • Less time spent in collecting yak dung • Easier to boil water and cook simple items such as potatoes • Bathing is easier and more frequent because of the amount of available hot water • Easier to wash clothing because warm water can be used • Milk cows give more milk, because they can drink warm water

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25 On the morning of August 20, we took the bus to Hezuo, and visited Adoulou on the way.

Adoulou Tibetan Village is home to 17 households and 200 people. It is located in an arid mountainous area troubled by poor transportation facilities. Villagers support themselves by raising livestock (yak and sheep), and farming (barley, rape, beans). Seven or eight families in this village do not have any livestock at all, and the richest family has less than 100 sheep.

In recent years, drought has been common. Therefore, economic returns from raising livestock and farming have lessened considerably, and life has become more difficult for many. Younger men and older boys attempt to earn money by doing construction work, herding others’ livestock, and building roads and houses.

The 17 solar cookers purchased with Canada Fund’s donation are significantly improving the quality of peoples’ lives there. The local contribution was 170 rmb (each household contributed 10 rmb).

We visited ten households out of the 17 that had received cookers. We interviewed four women and six men. They said under the village leader’s direction, young people from the village moved the solar cookers to each household and installed them on the roofs where the sun is most available. They also told us of the many advantages the solar cookers have brought.

• Less organic matter is taken from the forest and mountains, and solar cookers produce no smoke.

• Women have more time to do other things and spend less time collecting fuel. • Women and girls no longer need to collect the bekhum bush for fuel. This bush has a

poisonous substance that harms the collectors’ faces. • Impoverished elderly village women who did not own donkeys had to carry dung on their

backs. The solar cookers have eased their plight. • When the village women reached steep mountain forests, donkeys were unable to

navigate the terrain and women and girls had to carry the wood on their backs. This is a very dangerous situation that the solar cookers have eased.

• Villagers are able to easily boil water and cook such items as potatoes. • Bathing is easier and more frequent because of the amount of available hot water. • It is easier to wash clothing because clothing may be washed in warm water. • Milk cows give more milk because they can drink warm water. All villagers told us that having a solar cooker helped to solve these major problems. Afterwards, we spent three hours visiting other households, interviewing villagers, asking

questions (village leader and some elders) to get village historical information, especially on the collection of fuel. We arrived at Hezuo that evening.

26 Early the next day (August 21), we took the bus to Lingchen and arrived there about 2: p.m.

After two hours’ walk, we got to Xialade, which is located in a valley surrounded by shrub-covered mountains. It is home to approximately 19 households, a primary school, and 117 people. All are Tibetan. Villagers live in adobe-wood rooms constructed around a central rectangular-shaped open courtyard.

The village has 200 mu of unirrigated land. The main crop is barley. Other crops include big beans, potatoes, and small beans. Much of the agricultural work is the duty of women. Agriculture in the village is difficult for a number of reasons. Drought is common. When it strikes, crop yields are low. The fields are rocky and difficult to cultivate. Chemical fertilizer, which local people believe greatly increases crops yields, is expensive and thus rarely used. The cultivation of crops is

26

nonmechanized. Mules and horses are used for plowing, and other related activities, such as weeding and harvesting, are done by hand.

In addition to farming, each household has livestock. In total, the village has 700 yaks, 250 sheep, 200 goats and 19 mules.

Average village cash income is approximately 500 rmb/person/year. People earn cash by selling butter, yak hair, wool, livestock, and cheese.

The Canada Fund provided 20 solar cookers valued at 3,200 rmb for 19 households in Xialade, and the primary school. The local contribution was 200 rmb (each household and the school contributed 10 rmb).

The solar cooker project’s launch has brought considerable comfort and benefits to the local environment and local communities. The communities, which principally reside in the mountains, have been having a fuel shortage dilemma due to historical forest exploitation. Cutting trees has been the principle fuel resource, but because the forests are depleted, villagers are now forced to spend money buying coal in the town. In addition, they dig up bushes from the mountains (which speeds erosion), and collect yak dung from the grassland and carry it on their backs. The girls’ and women’s’ hands are red and very painful in winter from handling the dung.

27 In the afternoon (August 22), we took bus to Huergou Village, Gansu Province. Huergou is

home to approximately 47 households--26 Tibetan and 21 Chinese--and 241 people--143 Tibetan and 98 Chinese. We visited about eight families out of the 25 that received the cookers. The information below came from the village leader and village elders.

Villagers live in adobe-wood rooms constructed around a central rectangular-shaped open courtyard. The village has 180 mu of irrigated land, and 250 mu of unirrigated land. The main crops include wheat, barley, potatoes, rape, and beans. Much of the agricultural work is the duty of women. Agriculture is difficult because drought is common, the unirrigated fields are rocky and difficulty to cultivate, and sometimes hail destroys crops. Each household has to buy 500 kg of flour year.

In addition to farming, each household has livestock. In total, the village has 77 yaks, 650 goats, 140 sheep and 19 mules. Villagers take turns herding the yaks, goats and sheep in mountain areas surrounding the village.

The village cash income is approximately 550 rmb/person/year. People earn cash by selling butter, yak hair, wool, livestock, cheese, and working outside the area collecting caterpillar fungus (a medicinal herb), doing roadwork, constructing animal shelters, and gold mining.

The Canada Fund provided 25 solar cookers valued at 4,000 rmb for 19 households in Huergou. The local contribution was 250 rmb (each household contributed 10 rmb).

When we finished, it was too late to leave for the next village, so we spent the night there.

28 Early next morning (August 23), we left for Zhaxi Qukour Lang Monastery in Zhaoni County,

Hezou Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Gansu Province. It is considered to be one of the biggest monasteries in this area, and is home to approximately 273 monks’ quarters and 500 monks. All monks are Tibetan, and they are from 18 different villages nearby. Two or three monks live together in some monk’s quarter, but more generally, one.

Monks there rely solely on wood for fuel. Wood is collected by the monks’ families and transported to the monastery.

The Canada Fund provided 45 solar cookers valued at 7,200 for Zhaxi Monastery. The local contribution was 450 rmb (each household contributed 10 rmb).

27

One monk said that after he received the cooker, half of his fuel was saved because he boiled water for drinking and washing, and cooked simple dishes and noodles on it.

29 On the morning of August 25, we hired a car to take us to Gehongdao, Kajiadao Township,

Hezou County, Gannan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Gansu Province. Gehongdao Tibetan Administrative Village is composed of seven natural villages. It is home to 99 households and 750 people. Gehongdao is in an arid mountain area characterized by poor transportation. Villagers support themselves by raising livestock (yak, sheep and goats), and farming (barley, rape). In total, the village has 400 sheep, 240 yaks, 200 goats and 130 mu of unirrigated land.

In recent years, drought is common, meaning that returns from raising livestock and farming have become less, making life difficult for many families.

The 25 solar cookers purchased with Canada Fund’s donation are significantly improving the quality of peoples’ lives there. The local contribution was 250 rmb (each household contributed 10 rmb).

Before the Canada Fund solar cooker project, collecting fuel used to be a challenge for villagers. They used to collect yak dung for four seasons, and sometimes they had to buy fuel or go about five km. away cut trees secretly. The cookers helped villagers to solve many problems. In addition to boiling water, simple dishes can also be cooked on the cookers easily.

30 On August 26, we hired a car and went to Jiamaogong Tibetan Buddhist Monastery, which is

located about 60 km. southeast of Hezuo, the capital town of Gannan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Gansu Province. It contains approximately 230 monks’ quarters and 480 monks. All monks are Tibetan. The monastery is located on the side of a mountain above a river valley, and is surrounded by mountains. Monks here are from a number of locales, and their families support their fuel needs. Sending fuels to the monastery is not easy, because of the distance and poor road-conditions. Also, collecting dung, wood, and grass roots requires a lot of time and labor. Some monks’ families do not have any dung or wood to send them. Those monks have to buy expensive coal, even though they do not have enough money.

The Canada Fund solar cooker project helped to solve the following major problems: • The families of monks do not need to send them as much fuel, and their work is easier than before; • The monks do not have to waste time burning straw, dung, and firewood in the stove; • On summer, cloudless days, they do not even have to make fire in their stoves; • There is more space in their rooms because they use less dung, straw, and firewood; • The environment of the monastery is clearer because of less ash in the air. For instance, in front of the monastery, there used to be a big stack of ashes. Winter wind would blow the ashes around. But now the solar cookers will stop the stack of ashes from getting bigger; • The sky will be clearer because there will be less dust and smoke that come from each family’s chimney; • The mountain will be greener because less grass, fewer leaves, and fewer branches will be taken from it. To put it simply, the monastery will pollute the environment less. We were told that a medium-sized kettle of water is boiled in about eight minutes on the solar

cooker, between 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on cloudless days. They can cook tomatoes, noodles, meats vegetables, boil water and soup, etc. Monks have more time to concentrate on their studies (less worry about fuel collection) and are happy about the Canada Fund supported solar cooker project.

28

The Canada Fund provided 40 solar cookers valued at 6,800 rmb. The local contribution was 400 rmb (each household contributed 10 rmb).

This was the last project site we had to visit in Gannan, so we spent the night at Hezuo and got back to Xining on the next day (August 27). We took a two-day break to wash our clothes and analyze the information we had collected.

31 On August 30, we went to Chagan Mongghul Village in Tiantang Township, Tianzhu Tibetan

Autonomous County, Gansu Province. Chagan is home to 25 Mongghul households and 160 Mongghul. It has about 170 mu of unirrigated land. The main crop is wheat. Other crops include rape, barley, potatoes, and beans. The village has 25 mules to do farming, and no yaks. Five families own about 150 sheep and goats in total.

Average cash income is approximately 1500 rmb/household/year. People earn cash by working outside the area doing any kind construction work, and digging caterpillar fungus. Despite these outside sources of income, several households in the village do not have an adequate supply of food during the year. Young people leave the village in April and work outside the area until August. At that time, 20 young men from the village were working in Xinjiang. Lionel’s parent also returned recently, to do the harvest.

Coal is the main fuel for the village because cutting trees is forbidden, and there isn’t any yak dung. There is a coalmine somewhere nearby. Villagers work there after harvest, and get some coal as their salary.

The Canada Fund provided 20 solar cookers valued at 3,000 rmb, and the local contribution was 200 rmb (10 rmb/household).

32 On the morning of September 18, I left Xining to visit four villages in Hualong Hui

Autonomous County, Haidong Region, Qinghai Province. Unfortunately, there was a heavy rain in Hualong and I couldn’t get to my destination, Banmatang Village, on that day. The next day, I hired a motorcycle and went to visit Banmatang, which is located on the side of a mountain and surrounded by other mountains. It is home to approximately 57 households--46 Tibetan and 11 Chinese--and 216 people, 180 Tibetan and 36 Chinese. Villagers live in adobe-wood rooms constructed around a central rectangular-shaped open courtyard.

The village has 1,000 mu of unirrigated land, but the government is planning to take about 500 mu of Banmatang’s fields to plant grass. If this happens, some families will lose all their land. The main crop is barley. Other crops include wheat, rape, potatoes, and beans. Much of the agricultural work is the duty of women. Agriculture is difficult because drought is common, so crop yields are low. The un-irrigated fields are rocky and difficult to cultivate. Chemical fertilizer, which local people believe greatly increases crops yields, is expensive and thus rarely used.

In addition to farming, few well-off families have some sheep and goats. In total, the village has 30 yaks, 57 mules, and 300 sheep and goats. Villagers take turns to herd the yaks, mules, goats and sheep in the mountain area surrounding the village.

Average cash income is approximately 2,000 rmb/household/year. People earn cash by selling butter, yak hair, wool, livestock, and cheese. Young men work outside the area collecting caterpillar fungus (a medicinal herb), doing roadwork, constructing animal shelters, and gold mining. Despite these outside sources of income, several households in each natural village do not have an adequate supply of food during the year.

The Canada Fund provided 30 solar cookers valued at 3,900 rmb for 30 impoverished households in the village. The local contribution was 300 rmb (each household contributed 10 rmb).

29

The afternoon of the same day, I took a bus to Hualong, and from there I hired another motorcycle and left for Zhaxizhuang Village in Chuma Township.

33 Zhaxizhuang Village is located 25 km. south of the administrative center of Hualong Hui

Autonomous County, Haidong Region. It is home to approximately 70 households and 500 people. All are Tibetan. The village is located beside a river, in a valley surrounded by mountains. Villagers live in adobe-wood rooms constructed around a central rectangular-shaped open courtyard.

The village has 300 mu of unirrigated land. The main crop is wheat, and other crops include barley, rape, potatoes, and beans. Much of the agricultural work is the duty of women. Drought is common, and when it strikes, crop yields are low. The fields are rocky and difficult to cultivate. Chemical fertilizer is expensive and rarely used.

In addition to farming, a few well-off families have some yaks and sheep. In total, the village has 16 cows, 200 sheep and 70 mules.

Average cash income is approximately 200 rmb/person/year. People earn cash by selling butter, yak hair, wool, livestock, and cheese. Young men often work outside the area collecting caterpillar fungus (a medicinal herb), doing roadwork, constructing animal shelters, and gold mining. Despite these outside sources of income, several households in each natural village do not have an adequate supply of food during the year.

The Canada Fund provided 30 cookers valued at 3,900 rmb for 30 impoverished households in Zhaxizhuang. The local contribution was 300 rmb (each household contributed 10 rmb).

34 Early the next day (September 20), one of my middle school classmates, who now teaches Tibetan in

Jingyuan Primary School, sent me to Awuju Village on his motorcycle. Awuju is located 15 kilometers east of the administrative center of Jingyuan Tibetan Township, Hualong Hui Autonomous County, Haidong Region. It is home to approximately 42 households, ten monks’ quarters, and 287 people. All are Tibetan. Villagers live in adobe-wood rooms constructed around a central rectangular-shaped open courtyard.

The village has 300 mu of unirrigated land. The main crop is wheat, which people use for self-consumption (bread, noodles), and to pay the government’s tax. Other crops include barley, rape, potatoes, and beans. Much of the agricultural work is the duty of women. Drought is common, and when it strikes, crop yields are low. The un-irrigated fields are rocky and difficult to cultivate. Chemical fertilizer is expensive and rarely used. Cultivation of crops is nonmechanized.

In addition to farming, most households have some livestock. In total, the village has 100 yaks, 42 mules, 15 donkeys, and 360 sheep and goats. Villagers take turns to herd the yaks and cows in mountain areas surrounding the village.

Average cash income is approximately 2000 rmb/household/year. People earn cash by selling butter, yak hair, wool, livestock, and cheese. Young men often work outside the area collecting caterpillar fungus (a medicinal herb), doing roadwork, constructing animal shelters, and gold mining. Despite these outside sources of income, several households in each village do not have an adequate supply of food during the year.

They got fuel from the small wood near the village, but is difficult, as it has been forbidden. Now villagers must purchasing coal for their fuel, but it is very expensive. Most of the villagers are unable to purchase coal. So the solar cookers are very helpful for them. After they received the cookers, they do not need to buy so much coal for their fuel.

The Canada Fund provided 25 solar cookers valued at 3,250 rmb for 25 impoverished households in Awuju. The local contribution was 250 rmb (each household contributed 10 rmb).

30

35 In the afternoon of the same day, I visited Ketang Tibetan Administrative Village, which is

located 18 km. south of Jingyuan. Ketang is composed of five natural villages: • Yegaotang 14 households • Jiangcangnang 85 households • Daoda 50 households • Zhimaza 34 households • Kelaonaka 90 households These are home to approximately 273 households and 1,150 people. All are Tibetan.

Villagers live in adobe-wood rooms constructed around a central rectangular-shaped courtyard. The village has 1,000 mu of irrigated land, but they can irrigate their fields only once a year

because there are many villages in the same valley. The main crop is wheat, and other crops include barley, rape, and potatoes. Much of the agricultural work is the duty of women. Drought is common, and when it strikes, crop yields are low. The fields are rocky and difficult to cultivate. Chemical fertilizer is expensive and thus rarely used.

In addition to farming, each household has livestock. In total, the village has 1,400 sheep, 3,200 goats, 273 mules and 43 donkeys. Villagers in each natural village take turns to herd the sheep, goats, mules and donkeys in the mountain area surrounding the villages.

Average cash income is approximately 150 rmb/person/year. People earn cash by selling butter, yak hair, wool, livestock, and cheese. Young men work outside the area collecting caterpillar fungus (a medicinal herb), doing roadwork, constructing animal shelters, and gold mining. Despite these outside sources of income, several households in each natural village do not have an adequate supply of food during the year.

The Canada Fund provided 25 solar cookers valued at 3,250 rmb for 25 impoverished households in Ketang. The local contribution was 250 rmb (each household contributed 10 rmb).

31

c. Expenditures

(i) Expenses Table 1. Summary: Financial Accounting

Contribution Item Spent Amount

Remaining Amount

1,240 solar cookers

183,444.00 The Canada Fund’s Contribution 185,473 rmb

Fred’s salary 2,000.00

29.00

Expenses 8,646.80 19 solar cookers 2,715.00

Local Contribution 14,945 rmb

Fred’s salary 3,350.00

234.00

Interests 341.43Total rmb 604.43

Table 2. Eight Tibetan villages and one Tibetan Buddhist monastery in Hainan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, and one Private Middle School in Golok Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture in Qinghai Province

Receipt # Date Description Amount rmb1 2003/07/22 Breakfast 62 2003/07/22 Taxi (Education College-Bus station) 153 07/22 Bus tickets (Xining -Laxiwa) 36.64 07/22 Food and drinks 305 07/23 Food and drinks 256 07/23 Bus tickets (Laxiwa-Gonghe) 347 07/23 Lunch 228 07/23 Bus tickets (Gonghe-Dongba) 109 07/23 Bus tickets (Dongba-Gonghe) 1010 07/23 Supper 2011 07/23-07/24 Hotel (Two nights) 8012 07/24 Breakfast 913 07/24 Car rental (Gonghe-Lagan) 4014 07/24 Drinks 915 07/24 Car rental (Lagan-Gonghe) 5016 07/24 Supper 2717 07/25 Breakfast 718 07/25 Car rental (Gonghe-Jiarang-Gonghe) 6019 07/25 Food and drinks 2820 07/25 Bus tickets (Gonghe-Guinan) 4021 07/25 Motorcycle rental (Guinan-Yuanyi) 1822 07/26 Car rental (Guinan-Kangxiang-Guinan) 12023 07/26 Food and drinks 4524 07/26 Bus tickets (Guinan-Tongde) 4025 07/26 Supper 1926 07/26 Hotel 5027 07/27 Breakfast 6

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28 07/27 Car rental 9529 07/27 Lunch 3030 07/27 Supper 10.531 07/27 Drinks 2532 07/27 Hotel 3033 07/28 Breakfast 734 07/28 Bus tickets (Tongde-Hebei) 4035 07/28 Cat rental (Hebei-Zang Monastery) 8036 07/28 Food and drinks 4037 07/29 Car rental (Zang Monastery-Jungong) 12038 07/29 Drinks 1639 07/29 Lunch and supper 3640 07/29-07/30 Bus tickets (Jungong-Huangyuan) 11041 07/30 Bus tickets (Huangyuan-Xining) 742 07/30 Taxi (Bus station-Education college) 1543 07/30 Lunch 2844 07/30 Supper 745 07/31 Lunch 1846 07/29 Supper 26

Total rmb 1,597.10 Table 3. Four Tibetan villages in Xunhua County, Haidong Region, and eight Tibetan villages in Huangnan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture in Qinghai Province

Receipt # Date Description Amount rmb1 2003/08/01 Breakfast 72 2003/08/01 Taxi (Education College-Bus station) 153 2003/08/01 Lunch + drinks 554 08/01 Car rental (Xunhua-Ser’chang) 565 08/02 Car rental (Ser’chang-Muhong-Taigalong-Xunhua) 1256 08/02 Drinks 107 08/02 Car rental (Xunhua-Wendu) 258 08/02 Car rental (Wendu-Zhongkuzhasa) 559 08/02 Lunch 1510 08/03 Car rental (Wendu-Beicaomu-Xiangyi-Wendu) 6011 08/03 Bus tickets (Wendu-Tongren) 3412 08/03 Drinks 613 08/03 Supper 714 08/03 Hotel 7015 08/04 Breakfast 516 08/04 Car rental ( Tongren-Huangzhi-Tongren) 13017 08/04 Supper 2718 08/04 Hotel 7019 08/05 Breakfast 520 08/05 Car rental (Tongren -Jiangri-Tongren) 11021 08/05 Lunch 4922 08/05 Car rental (Tongren-Quma-Tongren) 4023 08/05 Hotel 50

33

24 08/06 Breakfast 525 08/06 Car rental (Tongren-Kajia-Qunwuyang-Tongren) 6026 08/06 Drinks 1227 08/06 Lunch 2028 08/06 Supper 3829 08/06 Hotel 5030 08/07 Breakfast 531 08/07 Car rental (Tongren-Wunmo-Tongren) 10032 08/07 Drinks 1033 08/07 Lunch 3534 08/07 Bus tickets (Tongren-Jianzha) 2235 08/08 Breakfast 1036 08/08 Car rental (Jianzha-Gabu-Jianzha) 8037 08/08 Lunch and drinks 5038 08/08 Car rental (Jianzha-Leijian-Jianzha) 3039 08/09 Bus tickets 3340 08/09 Lunch and drinks 4041 08/09 Taxi (Bus station-Education College) 1542 08/10 Lunch 2243 08/10 Supper 744 08/11 Lunch 3045 08/11 Supper 1746 08/12 Lunch 3047 08/12 Supper 1248 08/13 Breakfast 549 08/13 Bus tickets (Xining-Gangcha) 4450 08/13 Lunch and drinks 4851 08/13 Supper 1052 08/14 Breakfast 853 08/14 Bus tickets (Gangcha-Xining) 4854 08/14 Drinks and lunch 3055 08/14 Supper 10

Total rmb 1962

Table 4. Seven Tibetan villages and three Tibetan Buddhist monasteries in Gannan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, and one Mongghul village in Tianzhu Tibetan Autonomous County in Gansu Province.

Receipt # Date Description Amount rmb1 2003/08/15 Breakfast 52 2003/08/15 Taxi (Education College-Bus station) 153 2003/08/15 Bus tickets (Xining-Xunhua) 424 08/15 Food and drinks 365 08/15 Supper 76 08/15 Hotel 707 08/16 Breakfast 108 08/16 Food and drinks 259 08/16 Bus tickets (Xunhua-Linxia) 30

34

10 08/16 Lunch 711 08/16 Bus tickets (Linxia-Wanggertang) 3012 08/16 Bus tickets (Wanggertang-Xiahe) 1013 08/16 Supper 1014 08/16 Hotel 4015 08/17 Breakfast 716 08/17 Bus tickets (Xiahe-Hezuo) 3017 08/17 Lunch 4518 08/17 Car rental (Hezuo-Mairi-Hezuo) 11019 08/17 Supper 1320 08/18 Breakfast 721 08/18 Food and drinks 2822 08/18 Bus tickets (Hezuo-Maqu) 4723 08/18 Lunch 2724 08/18 Supper 1825 08/19 Bus tickets (Maqu-Gahai) 1326 08/19 Lunch 3227 08/19 Car rental (Gahai-Gongba) 4528 08/20 Bus tickets (Gongba-Amqu) 3029 08/20 Lunch 1030 08/20 Car rental (Amqu-Adoulou-Amqu) 6031 08/20 Bus tickets (Amqu-Hezuo) 2032 08/20 Supper 1533 08/20 Hotel 4034 08/21 Breakfast 535 08/21 Bus tickets (Hezuo-Lingchen) 3136 08/21 Food and drinks 3537 08/21 Supper 838 08/21 Hotel 6239 08/22 Bus tickets (Lingchen-Xialade) 1340 08/22 Lunch 4041 08/22 Drinks 1342 08/22 Bus tickets (Xingchen-Yingtan) 1843 08/22 Bus tickets (Yingtan-Cangku) 1244 08/23 Car rental (Cangku-Zhaxiqingkorlong) 8545 08/24 Bus tickets (Ningba-Hezuo) 4146 08/24 Lunch 3547 08/24 Supper 1548 08/24 Hotel 4049 08/25 Lunch 3250 08/25 Car rental (Hezuo-Gahongdao-Hezuo) 10551 08/25 Breakfast 1052 08/25 Supper 3053 08/26 Breakfast 654 08/26 Food and drinks 2855 08/26 Car rental (Hezuo-Jiamaogong-Hezuo) 11556 08/26 Supper 3257 08/26 Hotel 30

35

58 08/27 Food and drinks 3559 08/27 Bus tickets (Hezuo-Xining) 8460 08/27 Lunch 4661 08/27 Supper 1762 08/28 Lunch 2363 08/28 Supper 664 08/29 Lunch 1765 08/30 Breakfast 666 08/30 Taxi (Education College-Bus station) 1567 08/30 Bus tickets (Xining-Huzhu) 1468 08/30 Lunch 3069 08/30 Bus tickets (Huzhu-Qiaotou) 2470 08/31 Car rental (Tiantang-Qiaotou) 3071 08/31 Bus tickets (Qiaotou-Huzhu) 2472 08/30 Food and drinks 3073 08/30 Bus tickets (Huzhu-Xining) 1474 08/30 Taxi (Bus station-Education college) 1575 08/30 Supper 36

Total rmb 2241

Table 5. Four Tibetan villages in Hualong Hui Autonomous County in Haidong Region, Qinghai Province

Receipt # Date Description Amount rmb1 2003/09/18 Breakfast 3.52 2003/09/18 Taxi (Education College-Bus station) 153 2003/09/18 Bus tickets (Xining-Kangwuyang) 13.34 09/18 Bus tickets (Kangwuyang-Jianzha) 45 09/19 Bus tickets (Jianzha-Zaba) 76 09/19 Car rental (Zaba-Banmatang-Zaba) 857 09/19 Lunch 418 09/19 Bus tickets (Zaba-Hualong) 89 09/19 Car rental (Hualong-Chuma-Jingyuan) 12010 09/20 Gas 1011 09/20 Lunch 3612 09/20 Car rental (Ketang-Liuji) 8013 09/20 Bus tickets (Liuji-Xunhua) 1014 09/20 Hotel 5015 09/21 Supper 1016 09/21 Car tickets 4017 09/21 Breakfast + Drinks 818 09/21 Taxi (Bus station-Education college) 15

Total rmb 555.8

36

Table 6. Other expenses Receipt # Date Description Amount rmb

1 2003/07/08 Bus ticket (Xining-Xunhua) 212 2003/07/09 Bus ticket (Xunhua-Xining) 213 07/09 Bus ticket (Xunhua-Solar cooker factory) 104 07/09 Bus ticket (Solar cooker factory – Xunhua) 105 07/09 Taxi (Education College- Bus station) 156 07/10 Taxi (Bus station – Education College) 147 07/09 Hotel 508 08/14 Film development fee 999 09/08 Film development fee 59.4010 07/07 Taxi fee to transfer 1st payment to the solar cooker factory 2711 07/17 Taxi fee to transfer 2nd payment to the solar cooker factory 1812 07/21 Four rolls of film and one battery 11013 07/21 One note book and one pen 814 07/21 Taxi to buy 2615 09/14 Metal paper clips 416 08/15 Four rolls of films 8017 09/16 Three floppy disks 1518 09/21 Rented camera for three days 1519 07/21 Supper 27

Total rmb 629.4

Table 7. Telephone bills Receipt

# Date Description Amount

rmb 1 2003/10/01 21 long distance phone calls using Kevin’s personal

telephone 104.60

2 2003/10/01 17 long distance phone calls using Keith’s (Mr. Zhaxi Bemba) personal telephone

84.60

3 2003/08/11 Telephone bill for July (147 calls) 203.234 2003/09/10 Telephone bill for August (440 calls) 777.285 2003/10/20 Telephone bill for September (786 calls) 423.966 2003/10/01 17 long distance phone calls (using a public phone) 68.68

Total 1,662.35

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(ii) Solar Cooker Factory Receipts (iii) Student Agreements for Local Contribution (iv) Student Receipts d. Students’ Reports (i) Summary # Location Solar

Cooker # Unit Price

Total Price Canada Fund Contribution

Local Contribution

1 Yuanyi Village, Sengduo Township, Guinan County, Hainan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Qinghai

25 160 4,000 4,000 250

2 Meiri Village, Zayi Township, Larang County, Gannan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Gansu

16 150 2,400 2,400 160

3 Lejian village, Marktown Township, Jiantsa County, Huangnan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Qinghai

40 145 5,800 5,800 400

4 Honri, Kohtse, Chimar, Ningda, and Ningjia Tibetan villages in Shunpan Township, Tongren County, Huangnan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Qinghai

80 145 11,600 11,600 800

5 Gehongdao Village, Kajiadao Township, Hezuo County, Gannan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Gansu

25 150 3,750 3,750 250

6 Quonwu Village, Maba Township, Tongren County, Huangnan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Qinghai

35 145 5,075 5,075 350

7 Axia Village, Gaomang Township, Tongde County, Hainan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Qinghai

25 170 4,250 4,250 375

8 Lurixi Village, Mari Township, Jiaonai County, Gannan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Gansu

25 160 4,000 4,000 250

9 Jiamaogong Tibetan Buddhist Monastery, Jiamaogong Township, Hezuo County, Cannan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Gansu

50 150 7,500 7,500 500

10 Adulu Village, Amjo Township, Xiahe County, Gannan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Gansu

17 150 2,550 2,550 170

11 Zang Gong Ga Dan Dong Zhi La Dan Lang Monastery, Hebei Township, Tongde County, Hainan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Qinghai

40 170

6,800 6,800 400

38

12 19 130 2,470 2,470 190Zhaisai Village, Wendu Township, Xunhua Salar Autonomous County, Haidong Region, Qinghai

13 Gonqin Village, Cishizi Township, Tianzhu Tibetan Autonomous County, Gansu

25 150 3,750 3,750 250

14 Quma Tibetan Administrative Village, Nandu Township, Tongren County, Huangnan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Qinghai

40 145 5,800 800

Gongba Village, Lamu Township, Luqu County, Gannan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Gansu

24 160 3,840 240

5,800

15 3,840

16 Baicaomao Village, Wendu Township, Xunhua Salar Autonomous County, Haidong Region, Qinghai

41 130 5,330 5,330 410

17 Dongguo Village, Doogshun Township, Janzha County, Huangnan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Qinghai

25 145 3,625 3,625 250

18 Kuba Village, Jingyuan Township, Hualong Hui Autonomous County, Haidong Region, Qinghai

25 130 3,250 3,250 250

19 Xiangyi Village, Wendu Township, Xunhua Salar Autonomous County, Haidong Region, Qinghai

35 130 4,550 4,550 350

20 Tashi Village, Chuma Township, Hualong Hui Autonomous County, Haidong Region, Qinghai

30 130 3,900 3,900 300

21 Delong Tibetan Buddhist Monastery, Wanggatang Township, Xiahe County, Gannan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Gansu

25 150 3,750 3,750 250

22 Sairu Village, Qiagai Township, Joni County, Ganan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Gansu

20 160 3,200 3,200 200

23 Sahara Village, Nina Township, Maqu County, Gannan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Gansu

19 170 3,230 3,230 190

24 Kongxong Village, Mangla Township, Guinan County, Hainan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Qinghai

40 160 6,400 6,400 600

25 Ahwuju Village, Jingyuan Township, Hualong Hui Autonomous County, Haidong Region, Qinghai

25+5 130 3,900 3,250 300

26 Jaren Village, Donba Township, Gonghe County, Hainan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Qinghai

30 150 4,500 4,500 300

27 Taigalong Tibetan village, Douwei Township, Xunhua Salar Autonomous County, Haidong

65 130 8,450 8,450 650

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Region, Qinghai 28 Gapu Village, Zhigang Township,

Jianzha County, Huangnan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Qinghai

25 145 3,625 3,625 500

29 Bamatang Village, Xongxian Township, Hualong Hui Autonomous County, Haidong Region, Qinghai

30 130 3,900 3,900 450

30 Zhaxi Qukour Lang Monastery, Joni County, Gannan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Gansu

45 160 7,200 7,200 450

31 Ne’u-na Village, Luohantang Township, Guide County, Hainan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Qinghai

30+4 150 5,100 4,500 600

32 Ajiong Village, Jioangri Township, Banma County, Golok Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Qinghai

30 170 5,100 5,100 300

33 Ayangou Village, Tanshanling Township, Tianzhu Tibetan Autonomous County, Gansu

14 150 2,100 2,100 140

34 Chagan Mongghul Village, Tiantang Township, Tianzhu Tibetan Autonomous County, Gansu

20 150 3,000 3,000 200

35 Kajia Village, Maba Township, Tongren County, Huangnan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Qinghai

30+7 145 5,365 4,350 370

36 Heimajuanhe Village, Sonshan Township, Tianzhu Tibetan Autonomous County, Gansu

25 150 3,750 3,750 250

37 Jima Jiacan Private School, Raja Township, Maqin County, Golok Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Qinghai Province

10 170 1,700 1,700 100

38 Zhimai Village, Shaliuhe Township, Gangca County, Haibei Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Qinghai

30 160 4,800 4,800 300

39 Wechui Village, Teigai Township, Gonghe County, Hainan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Qinghai

25 150 3,750 3,750 500

40 Lagan Village, Teigai Township, Gonghe County, Hainan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Qinghai

30+3 150 4,950 4,500 450

41 Jiawu Jiangri Village, Jiawu Township, Tongren County, Huangnan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Qinghai

30 145 4,350 4,350 600

Total 1240+19 186,360 183,645 14,645

40

(ii) Photographs (iii) Reports

1

Canada Fund Solar Cooker Project 25 Solar Cookers for:

Yuanyi Tibetan Village Sengduo Township

Guinan County Hainan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture

Qinghai Province

September 8, 2003 Rodanjia (Victor)

Ι. Project Information 1. Name: Solar Cooker Project 2. Location: Yuanyi Tibetan Village, Sengduo Township, Guinan County 3. Donor: Canada Fund 4. Applicant: Yuanyi Tibetan Village Community 5. Supervisor: Kevin Stuart 6. Local Contribution: 250 rmb 7. Reporter: Rodanjia (Victor) 8. Goals:

• To alleviate the need for families to buy expensive fuel (coal, wood) at the local market.

• To reduce the time needed for women to collect fuel (yak dung, wood) for cooking.

• To reduce health risks from the smoky kitchen in each household. • To reduce the family workload so that more girls can attend school.

9. Contents: Ask for 50 Solar Cookers from Canada Fund to help local villagers, to reduce time needed to collect fuel, and to save money for other things (flour, oil, candle).

10. Effects: 25 Solar Cookers were provided by the Canada Fund. We gave them to the 25 poorest families in the village to improve their life conditions.

ΙΙ. Project Application

Yuanyi Tibetan Village is located in Guinan County, southern Qinghai Province, about 270 km. from Xining, the provincial capital. The township is located in eastern Guinan County. It has 16 Tibetan villages in mountain areas. With a population of 400, it is among the most remote inhabited locations in the county. Villagers live in a summer location and a winter location. Most of the villagers live in the winter place, which is located on the top of a mountain. Transportation is difficult, they need to carry water up from the Mongla River, at the bottom of the mountain, and spend most of their time collecting fuel from a small forest near the river. Local people’s lives are based mostly on livestock. Because little rain has come for the past several years, the grass on the mountain has dried. Income has dwindled, as many of the animals

41

have starved. Aside from herding, many young people also go out to dig medicinal herbs from the mountain areas. Most of the women spend their time collecting fuel. Therefore, typically they cannot attend school; instead they cook in the smoky kitchen for their family. Every year, each family needs to buy expensive coal for cooking and heating. 25 poor families received solar cookers that allow them to do other work for family income. In addition, labor time is balanced more equally between men and women.

ΙΙΙ. Project Activities

1. List by date Date Activities Participants

April 20, 2003 Write proposal to Canada Fund Yuanyi villagers & Victor May 15, 2003 Had a meeting with Fred Victor May 18, 2003 Filled proposal form Victor June 13, 2003 Project was funded Factory workers &Victor July 15, 2003 Solar Cookers were delivered to

Yuanyi Village

July 18, 2003 Solar Cookers were delivered to recipient families

Local villagers

2. Names of those receiving solar cookers.

42

Family # Name

1

A- =$?- (R?-eJ,

2 A- =$?- fJ,

3 A- =$?- ,A,

4 ^- 2,

5 P$?- 0,

6 ]R- 29%- 2!/- .<,

7 SA- 3J.,

8 g- 2R:A- 2/- .J,

9 o- hSJ- 2/- .J,

10 !/- ,<- o=- 2/- . J,

11 A- =$?- :):- 3 R,

12 2?3- $+/,

13 ]R- h29%- o- 35S,

14 z- 3R- ,<,

15 5K- .2%- o=,

16 .R/- :P2- o=,

17 5K- <A%-*2?,

18 t$?- S,

19 5K- <A%- i3- o=,

20 24/- / J,

21 z- .!<,

22 $;%- S%- o=,

23 {- hR- o=,

24 K$- hR<,

25 5K- hR- 3:A- 2/- .J,

44

3. Villagers’ Letter of Appreciation 2!:- SA/- 8- ;A$

%- 5S:A- #J- 2- / A- HA3- 5%- s- 2&- z$- $A?-P2-0:A- :VR$- =?- 2- ;A/- 8 A%- , .L<- .$/- 3J.- 0<- / R<- =$- :5 S- *R%-

L?- +J- :5 S- 2- < R=- 2- ; A/, *J- 2:A- =R- :$:A- <A%- =, /3- ^- =- :I<- wR$- (J/- 0R- L%- 8A%- .?- o/- .%- 3AP- :S- 2<- (<- (- 3A- :22- 0:A- ,/- 0- L%- 2?- l- .%- l A- >A%- i3?- {3- 0- .%- /R<- =$- $A- P%?- :2R<- G%- w2- :I<- IA?- )J- *%- .- ?R%- , .J- 2?- 3%- 5S$?- GA- ;R%-

|R- G%- =R- < J- /?- ) J- *%- .- ?R%- 2?- 3A- .3%?- G A- :5S- 2- =- .!:- #$- (J/- 0R- 29 R?, #J- 2- ;R%?- GA- aR2- $?R- :.- >J?-8/- 0- .%-aR2-

8$?- aR2- 3-@- &%- *%- 2:A- #<-2.- 3J.- i3?- GA- P%?- :2R<- .J- =?- G%- *%- , o- 35/- /A- 2.- 3J.- i3?- GA?- HA3- =?- LJ.-

.$R?- L%- !J- #R- 5S?- (- =J/- 0- .%-, :2.- >A%- :,- 2, .- .%- 9- 3- =?- 2- ?R$?- (- 5S.- 3%- 0R- 8 A$- 2+%- / ?- =?- !- =?- .$ R?-

L%- 2?, #R- 5S- =- aR2- 9- :PR- 2:A- $R- {2?- *J?- 0- =?- @- &%- .! R/,

+$- +$- .?- :.A<- HJ.- #- /- +- 5S$?- 0:A- %- 5S- #J- 2- =- <R$?- *R<- $/%- 2:A- *A- ,2- :L R<- L%- 2?, %- 5S- .$:- 2- :23-

IA?- MR?- >A%- } <- ;RA.- GA- .!:- #$- o2- +-*<- /?-:5S- 2- $?<- 2:A- =3- .- 2*R., #J- 2:A- /%- $A- 2.- 3J.- i3?- =- aR2- 9- :PA3- 0:A- $R-

{2?- w/- 8A%- , #R- 5S?- *A- ,2- =?- !R- <J- 24S- 2, )- {R=- 2, 9- 3- =?- 2- ?R$?- !2?- )J- 2.J<- ?R%- 2- <J., .J- 2?- %J.- #J- 2: A- ~A%- ,$- 0-

/?- HJ.- GA- <R$?- *R<- =- 2!:- S A/- (J- 8- 2- .%- (2?- &A$- eJ?- K R$?- ;%- ;%- ,$?- #<- $/%- 2<- (R/- :./- 8- 8,

8J?- $;R/- $8A?- #J- 2:A- #J- 3A- ;R%?- /?,

,A- h=R- 2003=R:C- ̂ - 85K?- 23*A/,

4. Translation August 23, 2003

Dear Canada Fund, Yuanyi Village contains 50 households, and our lives depend on livestock. We graze sheep

and yaks in order to make a living. During the past few years the weather has changed gradually and there has been less rainfall than normal. Because of that, the grasslands have become dry and many livestock have died of starvation. That being the case, many villagers have difficulty earning money from selling animals. The education condition is poor and few families send their children to the local school. This is true especially for girls, because they often need to do more housework than men, such as cooking, and carrying water long distances (almost four km.).

During this difficult time, our village received 25 Solar Cookers from the Canada Fund. This solved many problems that have grown through the years, and freed a lot of women to attend school to study. Now the villagers are using solar cookers in many ways. They can make bread, boil water, cook food, and make hot milk tea, so we want to say thank you to the Canada Fund, and we eagerly hope the Canada Fund can help us again in the future.

Faithfully yours,

Yuanyi Tibetan Village Committee

46

2 Canada Fund Solar Cooker Project

16 Solar Cookers for: Meiri Village

Zayi Township Larang County

Gannan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture Gansu Province

September 15, 2003 Tim (Wangqingjia)

Letter of Appreciation Dear Canada Fund,

I am a student from Grade one Class A at the Qinghai Education College, My English name is Tim and my Tibetan name is Wangqingjia. Most Tibetans are not very rich, but our culture is not so bad. Several years ago the government cut down trees in the forest near my village. Now there is no forest in my hometown, and many women in my village work hard to collect yak dung for fuel. They are very sad because near the village there is not any yak dung, so they always go very far away to mountaintops or other areas to collect it. They collect dried yak dung and put it on yaks to transport because there are no good roads for trucks. They often come back late at night. It’s hard and dangerous work. When they cook food, they must spend time near the fire in the smoke, which is bad for their health. Fortunately, you gave the solar cookers to my village. You reduced their suffering. They said, “The solar cookers have no smoke and they are very convenient indeed. They are wonderful. Thanks a lot for your help; thank you very much.”

Tim

Translated Message from the Villagers of Meiri Dear Canada Fund,

The area around our village is very mountainous. The economy and the technology are very

backward, especially in education. There are no well-educated people in our village, because people can’t afford to send their children to school. Recently the government has forced people to carry wood from other places for fuel, so our villagers have trouble everyday. Most of our fuel comes from the yaks, but storing the yak dung is very hard. Also, during the winter, when the day is shorter than the night, people can’t find dried dung easily. Your generosity helped solve our big problem and we would like to express our thanks for your help. Many of our villagers couldn’t send their children to school because there are a lot of things to do in each family, including collecting yak dung for fuel. Your help has brought many of our children’s lives out of darkness and solved many other problems. Thanks again. Best wishes!

All Meiri Villagers, August 27, 2003

47

Project Activities Date Activities Participants

June 5th I heard about the project of solar cookers and was very glad. Kevin, Fred and me June 7th I wrote the application. Me June 8th I telephoned my village, told and discussed it. The villagers and me July 3rd I asked Fred the date of solar cookers will arrive in my

village. Fred and me

July16th The solar cookers arrived in my village. The villagers, me and others

July21st I gave the solar cookers to each households The villagers and me July23rd I asked villagers about the solar cookers The villagers and me July24th I wrote the final report Me

48

3 Canada Fund Solar Cooker Project

40 Solar Cookers for: Lejian Village

Marktown Township Jiantsa County

Huangnan Autonomous Prefecture Qinghai Province

September 5, 2003 Sean (Dahuadorjee)

A Translated Letter of Appreciation Dear Canada Fund,

We want to express the gratitude and appreciation of all the residents of our village for your generous help with solar cookers. Now there are 40 families in our village using Canada Fund solar cookers. This solved many problems for us, and all of the villagers are happy for that. We will keep this valuable friendship in the deepest part of our heart. This project provides much convenience, and parents are delighted with the opportunity to send their children to school, instead of having them work collecting wood. All the villagers hope that your generous contributions will be available in the future. Best Wishes!

1. Name: Solar Cooker Project. 2. Location: Lejian Tibetan Village, Marktown Town, Jiantsa County, Qinghai Province. 3. Supervisor: Kevin Stuart (English Teacher, Qinghai Normal University), and Fred

(Student in the English Training Program). 4. Applicant: Sean (A student in the ETP, and living in this village). 5. Project summary: I am student in the English Training Program, my English name is Sean and my Tibetan name

is Jahuadorjee. I received 40 solar cookers and installed them for the 39 most impoverished families, and in the primary school, in Lejian Tibetan village.

In the village, there are 745 people and 98 households. All depend on agriculture. Fuel comes from remote mountainsides. This requires much time, and coal is very expensive. After a meeting of the villagers, we selected 39 poor families, including the 11 families on the mountain, who have difficulty in every aspect their lives. One solar cooker went to the local primary school, as the villagers wanted. All the villagers were excited, and they appreciate your generous help.

Aims:

49

To decrease use of organic fuel; Limit erosion; Reduce deforestation; Increase enrollment of girls in school; Save families money that can be used for other much needed expenses; Improve woman’s health by decreasing the time they are exposed to fresh dung and

smoke-filled kitchens.

Activities:

Date Activities Participants

May 3, 2003 Proposal sent to Mr. Kevin Stuart Mr. Kevin. Sean

June 24, 2003 Meeting with Fred Fred. Sean. June 26, 2003 Hold village meetings Villagers. Sean June 28, 2003 Give local contribution to Mr. Kevin Sean. Mr. Kevin. Fred. July 6, 2003 Solar cookers are received and installed Villagers. Sean Sept. 12, 2003 Write final report to be send to Canada Fund Sean.

The Target Group and Impact

40 impoverished Tibetan families in Lejian Village, Marktown town now each have their own solar cookers. These families can:

a) Purchase and burn less coal, which frees more income for village households. b) Collect less grass, fewer leaves and fewer branches from mountainsides, consequently causing less

environmental damage. c) Boil water more easily and conveniently. Women are released from the task of boiling drinking

water in smoky kitchens. d) Increase feed for livestock. Straw that would be burnt for fuel can be used as feed. e) Improves hygiene and health, especially for the woman. f) Woman and children are released from the drudgery of collecting fuel. This allows more children

to attend school and also offers women more meaningful opportunities. g) Solar cookers do not pollute the air as do coal fires. Less organic materials collected from

mountainsides means erosion will be reduced and local uncultivated land will be more fertile. h) The project can introduce new appropriate technologies into the area, which has significant

benefits for local people.

50

4 Canada Fund Solar Cooker Project

80 Solar Cookers for: Honri, Kohtse, Chimar, Ningda, and Ningjia Tibetan Villages

Shunpan Township Tongren County

Huangnan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture Qinghai Province

September 7, 2003 Rex (Wendegomba)

Dear Canada Fund,

It is my pleasure to write to you and report how your funds (11,200 rmb) were spent. Honri, Kohtse, Chimar, Ningda, and Ningjia Tibetan villages are in the east of Rebgong

(Tongren) County, the capital of Rmalho (Huangnan) Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, and 200 km. from Xining City. These villagers say that their ancestors came from the region of Nagri, located in the present Tibet Autonomous Region, centuries ago. Honri Village is where the ancestors are believed to have first settled.

80% of Tongren County is arid mountains, with poor transportation. Villagers support themselves by raising livestock (cattle and sheep), and farming (barley, wheat, potatoes, and edible-oil bearing plants). Diminishing rainfall, particularly since 1994, means that returns from livestock and farming have decreased, making life very difficult for many families. Younger men and older boys attempt to earn money by doing construction work, business, and digging for medicinal herbs.

The official per person annual income in Tongren County is 1,230 rmb, however, we estimate the real, or disposable, cash income in these villages to be 100 rmb or around 12 US dollars per person per year.

In summer, one girl or woman per household spends on average 3-4 days per week collecting dung. This is an all day activity. Dung is collected from the grassland. To reach this grassland takes four hours on foot. Dung is collected and piled, and then the women return home. This effort in total requires at least ten hours. The following day, the woman or girl returns, as often, daily trips to the grassland are required. Their hands are red and very painful in winter from handling the dung.

In spring and autumn, on average, one girl or woman per household spends six hours everyday collecting firewood. This is requires walking two hours to a forest, spending around two hours using a sickle attached to the end of a long pole to cut tree branches, loading the branches on donkeys, and then spending another two hours to return home.

A few well-off families purchase coal in Tongren Town, transport it to the village, and use it as fuel. No families use bottled gas or electricity for heat or cooking.

Because of the amount of labor required to collect dung and wood, some families do not send their daughters to school. Rather, they keep them at home to collect dung and wood.

The 80 solar cookers purchased with Canada Fund’s donation have significantly improved these conditions in Honri, Kohtse, Chimar, Ningda, and Ningjia Tibetan Villages. Specifically:

• Less organic matter is taken from the forest and mountains, and solar cookers produce no smoke

• Women have more time to do other things. • Recently, women and girls collect the bekhum bush, because of the diminishing forest

51

resources. This bush has a poisonous substance that harms the collectors’ faces. • Impoverished elderly village women who did not own donkeys had to carry dung on their

backs. The solar cookers have eased their plight. • Often, in steep mountainous forests, donkeys couldn’t be used. Women and girls had to

carry the wood on their backs. Solar cookers have eased this dangerous situation. • Villagers are able to easily boil water and cook such things as potatoes. • Bathing is easier and more frequent because of the amount of available hot water. • It is easier to wash clothing because it can be washed in warm water. • Milk cows give more milk because they can drink warm water.

Sunday, September 7th, 2003 Dear Canada Fund,

My Tibetan name is Wendegomba and my English name is Rex. I am presently a college student majoring in English and Tibetan at the Nationalities Department of Qinghai Education

College in Xining City. I have been dreaming about doing this kind of project to make a change in people’s lives since I entered this English Program. The entire project took 20 days, including ordering the solar cookers, transportation, distribution, and installation. During the course of this project, the village leader and my brother, who both spent a lot of time on this project, and are always enthusiastic about helping other people, were really careful and diligent in choosing the poorest households. In terms of local contributions, we charged 10 rmb per recipient. With this, we were able to pay the

transportation costs. The solar cooker project has brought considerable comfort and benefits to the local

environment and people. The communities, which are principally in the mountains, have been facing a fuel shortage dilemma due to the historical forest exploitation practices. Cutting trees has been the principle fuel resource. But the forests are depleted, and villagers now must pay much money to purchase coal from town, and dig bushes from the mountains, which causes erosion. A solar cooker installed in many households helps to solve these major problems. Again, I thank you for your generosity and kindness. Sincerely, Wendegomba

52

Recipients’ Names 30 Solar Cookers to Honri Village

15 Solar Cookers to Kohtse Village

15 Solar Cookers to Ningta Village

1<- 2,  /3- 3#:, >- 2R- :23, :V$- lJ, 3,<- KA/, hR- eJ- 2N- >A?,

$&R.- 0- ,<, >- 2R- 2N- >A?, (R?- :1J=,

:1$?- 0- .R/- P2, |R3- 0- ,<, 2.J- 3(R$- (%- 2,

hR- eJ- 5K- <A%- , ]R- 2g/, $/3- z- 5K- <A%- ,

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<A/- (J/- :23, <A/- (J/- hR- eJ, 3,R/- 3R,

z- =%- 5K- <A%- , 2/- .J- 2N- >A?, ~A%- L3?,

L%- *2?- o=, hR- eJ- <A/- (J/, 2/- .J- 3#<- (J,

>- 2R- z- =%- , [- :23- ;$ L3?- 0- 5K- <A%- ,

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hR- eJ- o=,

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%$- .2%- ,

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>- 2R- 5K- <A%- ,

3#:- 3R- o=,

[- :23- ,<,

 :1$?- 0- hR- eJ,

53

10 Solar Cookers to Chimar Village

10 Solar Cookers to Ningjia Village

+A%- $R, $;%- ?%?- *2?,

$/3- z- 5K- <A%- , 5K- <A%- .R/- :P2,

2/- .J- 5K- <A%-(J , 2/- .J- o=,

:V$- lJ, >- 2R- 5K- <A%- ,

~A%- 3R- *A., $.$?- .!<,

[- :23- L3?, <A/- (J/- o=,

2/- .J- 5K- <A%- , +A%- $R,

:V$- o=- 3#<, >- 2R- *A.,

2?R.- /3?- . R/- :P2, g- $R,

hR- eJ- *A., !/- 29%- o=,

PHOTOGRAPHS

The tractor carrying solar cookers is arriving in Honri Village, and villagers are coming to unload them.

54

Villagers are unloading solar cookers.

Villagers are distributing solar cookers with village leader.

55

Village leader is managing the solar cooker receivers to carry their solar cookers safely. (The old man who is wearing a brown cap and a dark blue suit is village leader.)

56

5 Canada Fund Solar Cooker Project

25 Solar Cookers for: Gehongdao Village Kajiadao Township

Hezuo County Gannan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture

Gansu Province

September 11, 2003 Nelson (Sangjikao)

A Translated Letter of Appreciation

Dear Canada Fund, All of the villagers who received solar cookers want to say thank you very much to the Canada

Fund. Thanks for helping such a poor place. In this place, all the valleys were covered with woods long ago. But now everything is changed,

all the wood has disappeared. Now the government has given the responsibility of planting new trees to the villagers. So in regards to fuel, we depend on yak dung and branches fetched from the mountainside. For some rich families, they have yaks and sheep, so in winter or summer they can live on yak dung, but for us, we do not have many yaks so it is very difficult to gather fuel in winter. Sometimes we need to buy or go about five km away to cut the trees secretly.

Now, we are lucky that we received many good quality solar cookers. They are very useful for us. They decrease our dependency on scarce fuel, and also it reduces women’s housework. Now, they can cook food or boil water whenever needed easily.

Thanks a lot for your help. Best wishes,

All the villagers Project Activities

Date Activity Participants June 6th, 2003 I wrote the solar cooker proposal. Nelson June 20th I filled the solar cooker agreement. Nelson June 23rd and 24th. We had a meeting with Fred. Nelson July 1st I gave the local contribution 250 rmb to Fred. Nelson August 23rd Solar cookers arrived in my village. Ladai (village head) and NelsonAugust 24th Gave solar cookers to the villagers. Ladai and Nelson

The local contribution was 250 rmb.

Here are some issues the village head and I had to deal with:

• The villagers didn’t believe that a student can help them and they wouldn’t give the local

contribution to me without the village head’s help. • Many families wanted to get solar cookers. It was difficult to choose the recipients. In the end,

however, we made informed and effective decisions. • Often families didn’t know how to use the cookers, so the village head and I went to their homes

and helped them install and learn how to use the cookers. Also, we gave some information about how to take care of, and protect, the cookers.

57

6 Canada Fund Solar Cooker Project

35 Solar Cookers for: Quonwu Village Maba Township Tongren County

Huangnan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture Qinghai Province

September 15, 2003 Naomi (Jaobaji)

A Thank You Letter From the Applicant Dear Canada Fund,

I am very thankful to you for giving us solar cookers for each household. All the people in my village are very glad to get solar cookers.

For my village, the natural environment is quite bad. We used to cut trees from the forest for fuel, but now we are not allowed to. The government punishes us if we destroy natural resources. As a result, we go far away to collect yak dung. This makes life hard and uses much time.

In this time of difficulty, you have helped us to solve these problems. You have changed our lives. Now, many women can have time to rest and have time to do other things. Their lives have improved, and they’re better off than they were before.

All people in my village are thankful, and will never forget your timely help.

Best wishes, Naomi

Translated Letter of Appreciation

September 1, 2003

Dear Canada Fund, Our village is in the west of China. Everyone likes to use the solar cookers very much. They

boils water easily and conveniently. This has greatly helped the females of our village. Traditionally, women prepare food and collect drinking water at noon in summer and autumn. They also have to make the kitchen fire. The kitchen is generally located in a corner in a very small space with a window. Fuel for the fire is mainly straw, so the kitchen becomes very smoky, causing eyes to be irritated when cooking.

Furthermore, you have supplied our young people a great opportunity, and they will become useful for our society and nation. Females are going to have healthier and more restful lives.

Finally, all of people in our village are delighted to thank you very much. Best wishes!

Qunwu Villager Leader

58

1. Project: 35 Solar Cookers for Qunwu Village. 2. Location: Qunwu Village, Maba Township, Tongren County, Qinghai Province 3. Supervisor: Dr. Kevin Stuart 4. Applicant: Naomi (a student in the ETP and living in this village) 5. Activities

Date Activities Participants June 28, 2003 Wrote an application to Dr. Kevin. By myself June 28, 2003 Had a meeting in my village. Villagers July 17, 2003 Solar cookers were received and installed. Villagers and myself.

I received 35 solar cookers for Qunwu Village and I collected 10 rmb for per solar cooker,

which is 350 rmb in total as a local contribution.

59

7 Canada Fund Solar Cooker Project

25 Solar Cookers for: Axia Village

Gaomang Township Tongde County

Hainan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture Qinghai Province

September 14, 2003

Maryanne (Dorjiedrolma)

A Translation of the Letter of Appreciation Dear Canada Fund,

My name is Banmayang and I am the village leader. Thank you for your kindness and generous help in this project.

Our village is half farm and half grassland. Unfortunately, because of the pollution the grassland is almost gone, so there are not many livestock. The only fuel for our village is yak dung, and acquiring fuel has become a big problem. Around here, there is seldom rain. If we rely on farming, we cannot get enough to eat. There are not many trees. This is a difficult place to live, but we have no choice.

The villagers asked me to solve the problem. I felt guilty that I could not help. When the solar cookers arrived, everyone in the village was very happy. Now, we do not have to collect yak dung and worry about fuel. The solar cookers are very convenient. With them we can cook food very easily.

Thanks very much, Canada Fund, for helping Axia village. Banmayang

60

Dear Canada Fund, This project is truly helpful, and everyone in the village welcomed it. Here is a description of

how it was implemented. Axia village is home to more than 100 households, even though they have little grassland.

Because of this, every year, one young man from each household has to go other villages’ grassland to herd livestock. We leave old people and children to keep watch. The area is very dry. Although we have to go very far away from the village to get water, this is not the biggest problem. The biggest problem is fuel, everyday we have to collect it. Sometimes, we cannot find any. When the solar cookers reached the village, the people were very pleased. I told them where the solar cookers come from, and then they expressed thanks again and again to the Canada Fund.

It is clear that the Canada Fund helped the village, as we will have to spend much less time on collecting fuel.

I express sincere appreciation to the Canada Fund for helping my village. Sincerely, Dorjiedrolma (Maryanne)

Project Activities Date Activities Participants 1\6 I gave the application to Dr Kevin Maryanne 20\6 I called to my village’s leader to vote Maryanne 21\6 I called to my village’s leader to collect the contribution and send it

to me as soon as possible Banmayang

28\6 I got the contribution Maryanne 4\7 I gave the contribution to Kevin Maryanne 12\7 I received the solar cookers but on the way to my village the truck

broke down Maryanne

13\7 The truck of solar cookers reached the village Banmayang and Maryanne

15\7 The solar cookers gave to the families who were chosen Banmayang and Maryanne

19\7 Asked the village people how they liked their solar cookers Banmayang and Maryanne

14\9 The final report is send to Fred Maryanne

I received 25 solar cookers for Axia Village and each of the 25 households that received the Canada Fund support solar cookers gave me 15 rmb. That’s 375 rmb in total that I gave it to Kevin Stuart as a local contribution.

61

8 Canada Fund Solar Cooker Project

25 Solar Cookers for: Lurixi Village Mari Township Jiaonai County

Gannan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture Gansu Province

September 15, 2003

Lillian (Drolma)

Translation of a Letter of Appreciation September 1, 2003

Dear Canada Fund,

Thank you very much for your help. This project has helped with a big problem for Tibetan villages. Resources are a serious problem in today’s world, and in this area, finding fuel is especially troublesome.

This village is very poor. People live off a little farmland, and there are few other way to make money. The villagers are uneducated, and this area is not developed. There are so many challenges facing us, such as education, arable land, fuel, water, and environment. Solar cookers save our resources, and are also convenient.

Since the villagers received their solar cookers, they have saved a lot of labor, and also cut down fewer trees. Perhaps if they cut fewer trees, that helps to protect the local environment, as deforestation sometimes makes rivers dry up, sometimes causes flooding, and damages crops.

Let me speak for all the villagers of Lurixi Village when I offer my thanks to you. Best wishes,

Lillian (Drolma)

Summary: I received 25 solar cookers for Lurixi village. The local contribution was 250 rmb. This village has 47 households, and is mixture of Chinese and Tibetan. There are 25 Tibetan families, and they are poorer than the rest. Most of them are always short of food and fuel. Most of the families have no cattle. They manage to earn a living with just a bit of arable land. There is forest nearby in the mountains, and in the past, all people were able to make money with this natural resource. People used a lot of wood as a fuel for boiling water and cooking, and to build houses. Because of deforestation, this resource is almost gone. In 1998, the government forbid people cut wood from the forest, even for fire. This made it difficult to get fuel. There is a school in the village. It has just one teacher and doesn’t offer any Tibetan lessons. It has only two grades. When students are ready for grade three, they have to go another school, which is 20 miles away. So most people in this village are uneducated. There is no way to make money to buy fuel, especially coal. So fuel is a serious problem here. Really, none of them are able to burn coal. On August 20th, the solar cookers were delivered to the Tibetan families. After receiving the cookers, they can boil water, cook beans, potatoes, and meat. In

62

the past, they boiled 2-3 kettles after spending 7-8 hours collecting fuel. Now it’s about the reverse, villagers can boil 7-8 kettles after spending 2-3 hours collecting fuel.

Project Activities: Date Activities Participants

June 1st, 2003

I got the information about this project. The monitor

June 2nd I wrote the application. Lillian June 20th I gave the application to Fred. Fred and Lillian June 24th We had a meeting with Fred. Fred and others. June 24th I made a phone call to my family and told them about this

project. My father and me

June 27th I received the local contribution from my father My father and me. July 4th I gave the local contribution to Fred. Fred and me. July 9th We had a meeting with Fred about the final report. Fred and others. July 20th I went to my village with the truck, which took the solar

cookers. Lillian

July 21st The solar cookers were delivered to the villagers. Lillian, and villagers.

Sept. 1st I wrote the Final Report. Lillian

63

9 Canada Fund Solar Cooker Project

50 Solar Cookers for: Jiamaogong Tibetan Buddhist Monastery

Jiamaogong Township Hezuo County

Gannan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture Gansu Province

September 12, 2003 Joel (Zhoujiake)

Letter Of Appreciation

!,, 2lJ- w/- IA- #- /- +:A- <R$?- *R<- 5S$?- 0- =$?,

 HJ.- IA-,$?- eJ:A- <R$?- <3- =- ~A%-,$- 0- / ?- 2!:- SA/- (J- 8- 8A%-,<R$?- *R<- i3- P%?- :.A- *A.- %R- 3- 1/- ,R$?- (J- 2- :.$- 0?, *A- ,2- :,R2- 0:A- 9- 2- i3?- .$:-3R- o?- >A%-2!:- SA/- 8- =- .$:- 2?- o- (J/- 0R- :,R2,

 .J- ;%- <R$?- *R<- i3- P%?- :.A?- $/.- .R/ -(J/- 0R- ,$- 2& .- 0- !J, <%- L%- ,R/- #%?- Y%-*R%-(9- 2:A- HA3- 0?- /$?- =?-2.-

>A%- >A/- +- *%- %- 43- =?- 3 A- $&R.).%- <%-L%- #R<- ;$- &$?- 24S$- =- 2!$- :$R$-L?- 0- .%-(,=- 2- .%- .- 2- >A/- +-/?- )J-

*%- .- :PR), 3A$- }<, HJ.- GA?- 3HJ/- $?=- v<, :.A- .$- /A- :63- \A%- <%- 28A/- IA- $/.- .R/-(J- P?- ?- I<- ;R., .J-2?- i3-

P%?- :. A- /A- .R/- ~A%- .%- w/- 0- 8 A$- < J., .J<- 3- 9., 9- 2- i3?- =- }<- =?- a R2- $*J<-IA- .?-5S.- 3%- 0R- ;R.(:2.- o- 2.$-

$*J<- .%- ,2- !<- :2.- 0:A- .?- 5S.- )J- *%- .- :PR- ),

#R%- 5 S<- *A- ,2- :,R2- eJ?- <%- <%- $ A- *A- ,2-3R- 0:A- %%- 9- >$- +- :HJ<- 8 R<-%- =- ,J%?- $&A$- 3A/-0<- HJ.- =- 2!:- SA/- 8?- >A$-

&J?- %$- {=-;%- ;%- $/%- , 3)$- 3,<- %?- ;%- 2*<-HJ.-=- 2!:- SA/- (J- 8?- 0- ; A/,

  8J?- *A- ,2- :,R2- 0:A- 9- 2- i3?-GA?-2003,8,24 =- 8?- 0- :V$- o=- 3#<- IA?- VA?- 0:R,,

Dear Canada Fund,

Thanks a lot for your help. This project was truly helpful. The monks who received the solar cookers were very happy and thankful.

This project solves several large problems: It saves natural resources (the families of the monks will cut much less firewood in the forests); It helps reduce pollution (there will be much less ashes and smoke); And it allows more time for the monks to study (they will have to spend much less time to burn fuels or gather and protect their fuel).

After they received the solar cookers everybody carried their own solar cookers happily to their houses and asked me several times to thank you for them.

Thanks again! Sincerely,

Joel

64

Summary: I contacted Dr. Kevin Stuart and received 50 solar cookers for Jiamaogong Tibetan Monastery.

On August 20th, 2003, 20 solar cookers arrived at Jiamaogong in a truck. I examined the cookers and stayed at the monastery three nights to protect them. On August 23rd, 2003, the rest of the cookers, 30 of them, were delivered from the factory. Immediately, I chose the poorest, oldest 98 monks and made a list of their names. On August 24th, leaders of the monastery and I chose 50 monks from among the 98, judging by conditions, and gave them the solar cookers, having them mark a receipt with their fingerprints. On August 26th, I went to the monastery and interviewed some monks in order to know how they use them and what they think about this project.

Some information about Jiamaogong Tibetan Buddhist monastery and the Solar Cooker Project: • There are around 480 monks and 230 households in the monastery. • Sending fuels to the monastery is difficult for the families of the monks because of the

distance, roads, time, and the source of fuels. • The monks have only a little cash income.

In the past, it was difficult to collect ox or yak dung and cut firewood on the mountainside, and gather straw on the cornfields. And it took a long time getting little fuel, because of the path and the distance between the mountains and the homes. After the families gathered the fuel, it must be delivered to the monks in gigs. But some monks’ families really couldn’t send enough fuel to them. So they had to buy fuels. But they are poor.

Since they received the solar cookers, the situation has changed: (1) The families of monks now send much less fuel to the monks, making their work much easier than before; (2) The monks do not have to waste time on their chores such as burning straw, dung, and firewood in the stove; (3) in summer unclouded days, they do not even need to make a fire at all; (4) there is more space in their rooms, because they don’t use as much dung, straw, and firewood; (5) the environment of the monastery is cleaner. In front of the monastery, there used to be a big pile of ashes. Winter wind blew the ashes in the sky of the monastery. But now the solar cookers stop the stack of ashes from growing; (6) The sky is clearer because there is less dust and smoke; (7) And the mountain will be greener because less grass, fewer leaves, and fewer branches will be taken from it.

I was told that a medium-sized kettle of water is boiled in about eight minutes on the solar cooker between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. on unclouded days. They can cook tomatoes, noodles, meats, vegetable, boil water and soup, etc. So the cookers are useful in many ways. This project was welcomed and helpful. The monks are very happy and thankful.

Project Activities: Date Activities Participants June 5th I heard the solar cooker project Joel June 6-8 I wrote the first application Joel June 6th I called home Namk, Joel June 15 I telephoned the monastery to ask the situation of the monastery Luozhi, Joel June 18 I wrote the second application Joel June 24 Made the Canada Fund Solar Cooker Project Agreement Fred, Joel July lst I gave the local contribution to Dr. Kevin. Joel, Fred July 8th Discussed how to transport the solar cookers with Fred Fred, Joel Aug. 10 I called Fred and Joseph to ask when would the cookers arrive Fred, Joseph, Joel Aug. 20 20 solar cookers were arrived Joel Aug. 23 The rest arrived. I asked the leaders of the monastery about the

condition of poor monks and decided whom would get one. The leaders, Joel

Aug. 24 I gave the solar cookers to the monks and made an agreement with the monks.

The leaders, the monks, Joel

Aug. 26 I interviewed some monks who received the solar cookers The monks, Joel

65

10 Canada Fund Solar Cooker Project

17 Solar Cookers for: Adulu Village

Amjo Township Xiahe County

Gannan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture Gansu Province

September 18, 2003 Jason (Danzhengzhaxi)

Translated Letter of Appreciation Dear Canada Fund,

Every family and all the Adulu people thank you very much for your solar cookers.

They are very useful and help us in many ways. Usually most of the children in our village herd livestock in the winter cold and summer heat but now after we received those solar cookers they have a chance to attend school. If many children can go to school, then they can get education and improve the Adulu village in many ways. This project helps us to quickly advance to a more comfortable an efficient way of life. After we received those solar cookers, most of the young people could do other work and make money and change their lifestyle. Old people do not need to do difficult and dangerous things any more. Thank you so much.

All Adulu villagers

Project Aims: The young people do not have to collect fuel any more. The children can go school now. Their life can be improved. They spend the time which they used to spend on collect fuel now can spend on the other work.

Project Activities:

Date Activities Participants June 7, 2003 Send project proposal to Mr. Kevin. Jason

June 8, 2003 Discussed about the project with villagers. Villagers, Jason

July 7, 2003 Had a meeting with Fred. Fred, Jason

July 16, 2003 Transported the solar cookers to my village. Villagers, Jason

66

11 Canada Fund Solar Cooker Project

40 Solar Cookers for: Zang Gong Ga Dan Dong Zhi La Dan Lang Monastery

Hebei Township Tongde County

Hainan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture Qinghai Province

September 14, 2003 Ian (Danzhengcairong)

Dear Teacher Kevin Stuart,

This certifies that Zang Gong Ga Dan Dong Zhi La Dan Lang Monastery received 40 the

Canada Fund supported solar cookers on 27th Autumn 2003. Zang Gong Ga Dan Dong Zhi La Dan Lang Monastery Committee

1st August, 2003

Translated Letter of Appreciation

Dear Canada Fund,

Thank you very much for this project. There are about 800 monks in Zang Gong Ga Dan Dong Zhi La Dan Lang Tibetan Buddhist Monastery. They are from Huangnan Prefecture, Golok Prefecture and Hainan Prefecture. Most monks whose homes are far away must buy yak dung for fuel, and other monks whose homes are near bring it from their homes. Near the monastery, there is no place to collect yak dung. All the grassland around the monastery belongs to individual nomadic families and yak dung is very expensive. Per bag, yak dung costs 3.5 rmb, so this is very difficult for monks. Therefore, the solar cookers are very helpful, as they can cook meat and boil butter tea etc., without needing so much fuel.

The solar cooker can cook something in 10-20 minutes. It saves much of monk’s time and money. After the monks understood how useful their solar cookers were, they were cheerful.

They said: “Thanks a lot for the solar cookers. They are very useful us, with them we can save money and time, so we always will pray for you.”

Zang Gong Ga Dan Dong Zhi La Dan Lang Monastery Committee

67

1st August, 2003 To whom did I give those 40 solar cookers?

First of all I had a discussion with Zang Gong Ga Dan Dong Zhi La Dan Lang Monastery

Committee. Secondly, I asked 40 monks, whom the Monastery Committee thought faced many difficulties in obtaining fuel, to write an application. Thirdly, I read those 40 applications and visited those 40 monks with the Monastery Committee. Finally we gave the Canada Fund supported solar cookers to those poorest 40 monks in the Monastery.

Project Activities: Date Activities Participants

4/ 2-3 I wrote the application with Frank and Justin Ian, Frank and Justin

4/ 4 I gave the application to Dr. Kevin Ian 7/1 I gave the village contribution to Dr. Kevin Ian 7/15 I went to Xunhua and waited for the truck Ian 7/28 I took the solar cookers to Zang monastery Fred and Joseph 7/17 I went to the monastery and discussed with the

leader of monastery how to distribute the solar cookers Danba and Quzeng

7/18-19

The monks wrote applications to me Ian

7/20 I collected the applications Ian 7/21 I checked the applications with leaders Danba and Quzeng 7/22 Leaders and I are went to each house and asked them some

questions Danba and Quzeng

7/23 I discussed some more Danba and Quzeng 7/24 I Gave the solar cookers to monks Danba and Quzeng 7/25 I went to each house and told them how to use and set up the solar

cookers Danba and Quzeng

7/28 I asked about solar cookers questions and took some photos Danba and Quzeng

68

12 Canada Fund Solar Cooker Project

19 Solar Cookers for: Zhaisai Village

Wendu Township Xunhua Salar Autonomous County

Haidong Region Qinghai Province

September 14, 2003 Hugo (Suanandorji)

Translated Letter of Appreciation September 2, 2003

Dear Canada Fund, Each household of our village received a solar cooker on July 20th. The people were deeply moved by

your kindness, and we thank you from the bottom of our hearts. Every family in our village cooks on them now.

All the farm fields of our village are on mountainous land. As a result of natural disasters, we have had no harvest for several years. Most of our families need to buy flour from stores. Before we received the cookers, we would go to the forest five km. away, in order to collect firewood. By working hard from dawn until afternoon, we could get enough firewood for about three days’ worth of cooking.

The solar cookers that the Canada Fund supported have helped us overcome many problems. We needn’t spend so much time collecting firewood. Instead, we can use that time to make more money to live. We can boil water on the cookers during the day. In the evening or the next morning we can use the boiled water to make noodles or tea. When the temperature is high, we can make steamed bread, and cook vegetables. The solar cookers can do everything that a stove could do, so we needn’t spend much money on cooking. Thanks again for your help, and we bless the Canada Fund.

Best wishes!

All the villagers

Summary: I received 19 solar cookers for Zhasai Village. The local contribution was 190 rmb. Project Activities Date Activities Participants1\6 I wrote the application Hugo 20\6 I made an agreement to give 190 rmb in total for 19 solar cookers to Dr Kevin

before 5\7. Hugo

24\6 I collected 190 rmb from my village. Hugo 29\6 I gave the 190 rmb to Kevin. Hugo 18\7 I phoned my father asked him to come to township on 20\7. Hugo 20\7 My father gave the solar cookers to every household Zhaxi 10\8 I took the photos of the solar cookers used by my village Hugo 3\9 I wrote the final report Hugo

69

13 Canada Fund Solar Cooker Project

25 Solar Cookers for: Gonqin Village

Cishizi Township Tianzhu Tibetan Autonomous County

Gansu Province

September 11, 2003 Geoffrey (Ceihuaja)

Translated Letter of Appreciation

Dear Canada Fund, We are very grateful to you for giving us solar cookers. Here where we live, not only is the

elevation high, but also the living condition is poor. The bad transportation and lack of natural resources make our life difficult.

For a village like ours, the whole family’s living expenses depend on income from the farm, but what we get from the farm is barely enough to eat. There is nothing extra to sell, therefore every one is suffering from various difficulties. The solar cookers have solved the problem of shortage of fuel, and lighted the dark of cold, and also keep the environment clean.

In this village the main fuel is wood from the forest. For a farming family, the weather is important, but the weather is in some way connected with the forest, so we are in fear of taking the wood. If we continue to cut wood, it is no wonder the weather causes some problems, but you saved us from this fear.

The local people want to say, thank you very much. Best Wishes

Gongqin villagers Dear Canada Fund,

I want to thank you to you for helping my village. Your help will stay in our mind forever. My Tibetan name is Ceihuaja and my English name is Geoffrey. I am 21 years old. I have been

studying English in Qinghai Normal University for almost two years. There are 42 households in my village and they are all farmers. The condition there is not good. The average income is about 2,000 rmb per year. The average fuel cost is about 400-500 rmb (because the forest is very limited they do not have many yaks to collect dung from, so they have to buy coal). I visited 11 of the households that received them. They expressed their appreciation to the Canada Fund for its support. One of the old women, Mrs. Zhoma (born 1951) said:

“The solar cooker helps us all, especially in summer. In summer now, we do not have to use fuel if we have a solar cooker. We can save much fuel for winter. I do not have to go outside to find fuel everyday. I can stay at home to do some light work and get some rest. I am really happy to have the solar cooker.” After the entire project was completed I listed several main benefits of the solar cookers:

• They give the villagers more time to do other things. • They save the villagers’ money. They do not have to buy coal in summer. • Some students will go back to school due to the saved money and time. • Old men and old women will have to do less work outside. • Everyone’s health will improve because these cookers produce no smoke.

The villagers and I are all very grateful to you and we hope you are all well.

Truly, Geoffrey (Ceihuaja)

70

Summary: Gonqin village is located in the northwest of Cishizi Township, Tianzhu Tibetan Autonomous County, Gansu Province. There are 42 households and about 225 people in the village. On August 5th and August 31st, 2003, I received 25 solar cookers in total from the Canada Fund for Gongqin. I wasn’t there as often as I would have liked, but I had contact with the local leader often. The leader has a good reputation. Villagers selected him to be the leader three times. When we decided the names of the households, I asked both my father and the leader observe. We chose the families by their average income. This is a list of households that received the solar cookers: 1 2?R.- /3?,

2 .<- o- ?,

3 0.- 3- . R/- P2,

4 .A/- 0, 

5 A- #- *A- 3, 

6 <2- o- ?,

7 35S- *A.,

8 =A- &A/- 5K,

9 @- #A=, 

10 A- #- >J?- <2, 

11 A- #- .R/- P2, 

12 .!R/- n- ;R/, 

13 ;%- ;/- @R/, 

14 .R/- P2- 5 K- <A%- ,

15 1R=- 3,

16 <A/- (J/- hR- eJ, 

17 =A- 5S/- ;R/, 

18 ]R- 29%- ,

19 {=- 29%- 2N- >A?, 

20 =A- 0R- 5S/, 

21 5K- 2g-/,

22 5=- OA3?, 

23 N:- +J- ;R/, 

24 3J- +R$- ^- 2, 

25 5K- .0=- *2?,

71

Local contribution was 250 rmb, each household contributing 10 rmb. Project Activities:

Time Activity Participants June 6 I wrote the application Geoffrey June 20 I filled in the project agreement Geoffrey June 26 I called the local leader for the contribution Geoffrey and the local leader July 4 I met with Fred and gave him the contribution Fred and Geoffrey July 9 I visited the local leader Geoffrey and the local leader July 10 I met all the villagers who would get the solar

cookers Geoffrey, the local leader and the 25 villagers who would get cooers

August 5

11 solar cookers arrived and were given to the villagers on that afternoon.

The local leader and the 11 households who would get the solar cookers

August 14

I visited the 11 families and ensured all the solar cookers were all working well.

Geoffrey and the other 14 households

August 31

The village leader received the other 14 solar cookers and gave them to the villagers on that afternoon.

The local leader

General conclusion:

25 Tibetan families in Gongqin village now each have a solar cooker. A total of about 125

people benefited from the Canada Fund Solar Cooker Project. The solar cookers are practical, convenient, safe and useful. They are making a significant difference. The families did not have the money to purchase a solar cooker by themselves, and they are very grateful to the Canada Fund for its support for this project.

72

14 Canada Fund Solar Cooker Project

40 solar cookers for: Quma Tibetan Administrative Village

Nandu Township Tongren County

Huangnan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture Qinghai province,

September 14, 2003 Enrico (Renchenkar)

Dear Canada Fund,

My Tibetan name is Renchenkar and my English name is Enrico. I am from a remote village in Tongren County, Huangnan Autonomous Prefecture. I am 19 years old. I asked Dr. Stuart to help me do a solar cooker project for my village. I think doing this kind of work is particularly useful for poor village like mine. I hope I can do more development projects for my hometown in the future.

Thanks a million for your help. I gave solar cookers to 40 households, which live in a poor condition. Villagers needn’t go to the forest any more to collect firewood. They won’t contribute to deforestation anymore. As far as I’m concerned, this is the most useful small project in the world. I speak for around 250 family members when I thank you. Villagers are very glad because solar cookers are very useful in their life. Therefore I am very glad too. I won’t forget your help until all the seas go dry and rocks melt with sunshine.

THANKS!

Enrico (Renchenkar)

Summary: • Received 40 solar cookers for Quma village. • Family members say a solar cooker is more useful than their stove. • They have more time to make money from other work. • They can make tea as much as they want.

The local contribution is 800 rmb and each household contributed 20 rmb. I interviewed Caomao, a 33-year-old resident of Quma. She said before this solar cooker project, she had to go to the nearby forest and spend whole day collecting fuel, but now she doesn’t need to.

• They can cook and boil hot water • When the temperature is high, they said can make bread and cook meat • Villagers can wash clothes in warm water in the winter. • Most importantly, solar cookers save the forest by stopping deforestation. • Before, some children could not go to school because they have the responsibility to collect

fuel. This is no longer the case, so cookers can improve my village’s education.

73

Which families were chosen? • The poorest families • Family’s with members who are physically or mentally handicapped • Families who have several children in school • Families with several elderly members

My own problems:

• For villagers, I spent lot of my own cash. However, I knew that is something I can do for them, and I am willing because they are Tibetan.

• Some villagers who didn’t get solar cooker this time are angry with me when I see them. PROJECT ACTIVITIES

Date Activities ParticipantsJune 6 I wrote the application. Enrico June 20 I signed the project agreement. Enrico June 23 I telephoned my father and let him collect the local contribution money. Enrico June 26 Fred told me the number of the truck, which carried solar cooker. Fred June 27 I telephoned my father and let him to go to the Rebgong city to wait for the

truck, which carried the solar cooker. Enrico

July 13 I went home and gave the solar cookers to the households and took some pictures.

Enrico

July 20 I asked the villagers whether solar cookers were useful or not. Enrico August 28

I wrote final report. Enrico

74

15 Canada Fund Solar Cooker Project

24 Solar Cookers for: Gongba Village Lamu Township

Luqu County Gannan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture

Gansu Province

September 13, 2003 Dylan (Danzhengcairang)

Letter of Appreciation

2!:- SA/- :6.- 3,:- V=- 2:A- #- /- +:A- 5S$?- 0:A- {- 3./- .,  HJ.- 5 S:C- {- =?- 2.J- ,%- .%- _2?- ( J/- IA- L- 28$- ,3?- &.- ;<- % R:C- ^- 28A/- :1J=- 2:A- 353?- 8, 

.J- <A%- U/- (%- $ A?- HJ.- &$- =- 2N- >A?- 0:A- .<- .!<- 8 A$- :2=- 3- ,2- <%- , %?- z.- 3J.- GA- ?J3?- $+3- :$:- 8 A$- . J- ;A- 5=- .- :2=, 

U/- (%- =- /?- 0- 8/- ;%- =R- /- c/- 0:3- HA3- 5%- .2=- 2R- =- z$- 2?3- .!<- 0 R:A- <R$?- <3- LJ.- o<- .$:- 3R., :R/- G%- ?- 8A$-

$A?- %- =- < R$?- *R<- LJ., .J- :S:A- 1/- ?J3?- =$- 0-nR%- 3#/- HR.- 3A/- ?,—#- /- +- 5 S$?- 0, 

.- ,J%?- GA- *A- ,2- .$- $A?- =R- /- c/- .%- HA3- 5%- .2%- 2R- i3?- =- 3R- *A.- .A/, :.A- :S:A- 3R.- *A.- GA- :L%- #%?- HR.- 3A/- ?—#- /- +- 5S$?- 0, 

:.A<- %:A- *A- ,2- *J<- 28A- )A- v<- !J<- 2:A- {R<- 43- 2>., ^- 2o.- 0:A- 5K?- 2&- $&A$- * A/, %- .%- #J- .0R/- i3?- .%- 3*3- .- *A- ,2- .J- .$- =R- /- c/- 0- .%- HA3- 5%- .2=- 2R- *J<- 28A- =- !J<- o- ,$- 2&.,  

o- 35/- /A, 

1) =R-/- c/- 0- i3?- ,A- =J- $&A$- $* A?- ;R.- 0:A- ?<- tA- 2- :,- <- :PR- .$R?, 

2) HA3- 5%- .2=- 2, 

3) =R- /- c/- 0- .%- $8/- IA- <R$?- *R<- 3J.- 0, 

*A- ,2- .J- .$- =- 1/- ;R/- (J- 2, 

1) =?- !- *%- 2, 

2) $/3- 3- :,3- .?- 9- 3- .%- (- 2{R=- ,2- 0, 

3) #R- 5S:C- 2>.- o<- % J.- &$- =- * A- ,2- .A/- 3#/- i3?- =- 2!:- S A/- (J- 8- 2- ;A/, o- 35/- =R- :.A<- % J.- &$- $A?- t A- 2- *%- 43-

2!R=- 2:A- (R$ ,  $R%- $A- o- 35/- .J- .$- $A- .2%- $A?- HJ.- &$- %- =- :.A- :S:A- $R- {2?- 29%- 2R- 8A$- !J<- 2- ~A%- ,$- 0- /?- 2!:- SA/- (J- 8- 2- .%- z/, {- 82?- #J- 7/- =-

2!:- SA/- (J- 8- 2- ;A/, #R- =?- %?- (J?- 29%- 2:A- #- /- +- 5S$?- 0- fJ., HJ.- &$- =?- %?- 1/- ?J3?- GA- %<- #- ,J%?- .%- 0R- MR%- , 

a.- 3<- HJ.- &$- $A- L- 28$- *A/- 28A/- =J$?- :P2- L%- 2- .%-z$- 2?3- IA- 363- 3.%?- %- =- ;%- /?- ;%- .- .A/- 0<- 3HJ/, 3HJ/, 

U/- (%- , g- 3PA/- 5K- <A%- $A?, 

2003=R:C- ^- 92:A- 5K?- 12*A/- 29%- 2R<- 1=, 

75

Letter of Appreciation Dear Canada Fund,

Today I do not have any thing to give you, but I want to tell you some words from my heart. I want to say thanks for your help. I really want to help old people and poor families, but I do not have the means, so this is great opportunity you gave me. On August 11th, village leaders and I had a meeting. We decided those solar cookers should go to 24 poor families out of 250 families. During the summer, old people fetch fuel a mile away from their home and carry it on their back. They are poor and have nobody to take care of them.

• With the cooker, the old people have less work to do. • They can boil water and cook food with it. • In good weather, they work well. • Poor families said, “Thanks for these good solar cookers, because now we do not have to find

so much fuel.” So thank you Canada Fund for giving me this great chance to help poor families. I also want to thank Mr. Kevin. For the first time I was able to share the taste of helping. At last I want to say, in the future, please offer me your generous help. Thank you!

Best wishes. Dylan.

Project Activities:

Date Activities Participants June-10th-2003 Wrote proposal. Dylan June-20th-2003 Filled the proposal agreements. Dylan

June-23th and 24th-2003

Had meetings with Fred. Dylan & Fred

July-1rst-2003 Gave contribution 240 rmb to Fred. Dylan August-11th-2003 Village leaders and I had a meeting. Xiba, Huadan (village leaders) &

Dylan August-15th-2003 I received 24 solar cookers. Dylan August-20th-2003 24 solar cookers gave to 24 poor

families. Xiba, Huadan (village leaders) &

Dylan Septemper-13th-2003 I gave my final report to Fred. Dylan

I received 24 solar cookers for Gongba Village. The local contribution is 240 rmb. Each household contributed 10 rmb.

76

16 Canada Fund Solar Cooker Project

41 Solar Cookers for: Baicaomao Village Wendu Township

Xunhua Salar Autonomous County Haidong Region Qinghai Province

September 14, 2003 Dustin (Puhuadongzhi)

Appreciation Letter

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77

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78

Translated Appreciation Letter

Date: September 14, 2003

Dear Canada Fund, I speak for all the residents in Baicaomao Village in giving thanks for your helping this

impoverished village. I hope all will be successful for you in the future. I’m happy to report on the solar cooker project for Baicaomao. It greatly helped 41 households. This village is an agricultural village, so the only thing that people can do is work on the farm. There is no cash income from the farm except to use for food. The government’s tax is high, and consequently, it is hard for them to make money for furniture and other useful items for their family. As for solar cookers, they already knew how useful they were, but to buy one is a big dream. In the recent years, some of them bought one from their work outside. However, the quality of the solar cookers they bought was bad, so it broke in one or two years. The solar cookers from this project are different from the old ones; these are made well.

This project greatly decreased the use of organic fuels in the area. Furthermore it lessened the women’s responsibility to boil water in the smoky kitchen and to collect fuel in the mountains, such as leaves roots and yak dung. In addition, more female children can attend school, straw can be used to feed the livestock instead of as fuel, and erosion is limited because we won’t need to cut down trees, or dig for plant roots.

Here is a story that took place in a family with a solar cooker. An old man called Laguo, who is a farmer, tried to cook some vegetables with it. First, he put an empty pot on the solar cooker shelf, and then he went inside to get some oil. As soon as he came back he found the pot was broken in two. He was astonished to see that. He said that he didn’t know that the solar cooker was such powerful thing. From this, we can understand the efficiency of this project.

Thank you so much for such a great gift!

Name: Village leader, Cailuo.

79

The Canada Fund Solar Cooker Project 1. Project period: April 14, 2003 to September 11, 2003 2. Project Site: Baicaomao Village, Wendu Township, Xunhua Salar Autonomous County, Haidong

Region, Qinghai Province.

3. Executing organs: Baicaomao Village, Wendu Township.

4. Responsible persons: Kevin Stuart (Teacher in Qinghai Normal University.), Fred (Graduated

Student in Qinghai Normal University.) & Dustin (Student in Qinghai Normal University.)

5. Supervisors: Kevin Stuart

6. The Canada Fund contribution: 5330 rmb

7. Local villagers’ contribution: 410 rmb

8. Total cost of the project: 5740 rmb

9. Aims: • To reduce woman’s work collecting fuel in the mountains, and make the kitchen less smoky. • The old grandparents can help boil water, especially, when it is harvest time. • More women can attend school. • Solve the problems of fuel. • Reducing the teachers and the students’ time spent cooking, so they can study more. • Reducing the family’s need to buy fuel. • Straw can be used to feed the livestock, instead of as fuel.

10. Project Implementation Record

Date Activities Participants April 14 The fist proposal was given to Mr. Kevin. Dustin. June 15 The second application was handed to Mr. Kevin. Dustin. June 29 Had a meeting with Fred. Dustin and Fred. June 2 Discussed delivering the solar cookers with Fred. Dustin and Fred. July 4 Nine solar cookers were delivered to the village. Dustin and the

villagers. July 5 The other 32 solar cookers were delivered, and a

village meeting was held. Dustin, Cailuo, Gadai and the

villagers. July 5 p.m. The families received the solar cookers. Dustin and the

villagers. August 10 Interviewed the families. Dustin. Sept. 11 The final report was given to Mr. Kevin. Dustin.

80

17 Canada Fund Solar Cooker Project

25 Solar Cookers for: Dongguo Village

Doogshun Township Janzha County

Huangnan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture Qinghai Province

September 8, 2003

Nihung Jiumei (Dave)

Dear Canada Fund

With gratitude and appreciation from the villagers, I thank you for your generous help with solar cookers.

Now, there are 25 families in the Dongguo Tibetan Village using Canada Fund assisted solar cookers, which solves many problems for the local people. Villagers are happy to get something so suitable for the environment in which they live. We will keep this valuable friendship in the deepest part of our heart.

This project provides convenience, and parents are glad of the opportunity of their children’s attending school, instead of spending time on the collection of wood. And villagers have learnt a new technology. All the villagers hope that your generous contribution is available in the future.

Best wishes

Dave

1. Project name: Solar cooker purchase for Dongguo village. 2. Project location: Dongguo Tibetan Village, Dongsheng Township, Jiantsa County,

Qinghai Province. 3. Supervisor: Kevin Stuart (English Teacher, Qinghai Normal University)

Fred (Student in ETP) 4. Applicant: Dave (A student in the ETP, and living in this village) 5. Aims To decrease use of organic fuel Limit erosion Limit deforestation Increase enrollment of girls in school Save families money that can be used other much needed expenses Improve woman’s health by decreasing the time they are exposed to fresh dung collection and

smoke-filled kitchens 6. The target group and impact. Impoverished Tibetan families in Dongguo Village with a solar cooker now can:

1. Boil water easily and conveniently. This has greatly helped women. Traditionally, women prepare food and drinking water. At noon in summer and autumn, they had to make kitchen fires. The kitchen is generally located in a corner of the home and has a very small window. Straw is the main fuel, thus kitchens become very smoky and it irritates villagers’ eyes.

2. Increase fuel availability for livestock. Straw is the only fuel for many families. Burning it as a fuel meant it could not be fed to livestock.

81

3. Heat food for livestock. The families can now conveniently boil livestock food, such as potatoes. Animals eating warm food will have more weight gain than those eating cold food. This is especially true for swine.

4. Save money. During this summer, when the solar cooker operates at peak efficiency, it may do the work of 120 kg. of coal/month, which costs about 30 rmb. The solar cooker can be used for at least eight months a year at good efficiency, and thus saves 240 rmb. This is more than the cost of the cooker. The cooker has a life of 10-15 years.

5. No pollution. The solar cooker is a clean source of energy. Not using coal has significant environmental benefit.

7. Activities realized in the framework of the project: Coal need not be purchased Less grass, fewer leaves, fewer branches will be taken from the mountains, and solar cooker

produce no smoke, reducing environmental impact. Women now benefit from a reduction in smoke inhalation. Straw that would have been burnt for fuel will now be fed to livestock.

8. General conclusion on realization of project aims: A) 25 impoverished families in Dongguo now each have a solar cooker. A total of 136 people

benefited from this project. The solar cookers are practical, convenient, safe and clean. B) Less straw burned means more straw can be fed to livestock, and money not spent on coal can

be spent on the other items. C) Women’s health will be better with less exposure to smoky kitchens. Furthermore, women will

not have to spend as much time, particularly in summer, to simply boil water. D) Solar cookers do not pollute the air as do coal fires. Less organic materials collected from

mountainsides means erosion will be reduced. Local uncultivated land will be more fertile. E) The project can introduce new appropriate technologies. 9. Project Activities

Date Activities Participants June 25 Proposal sent to Dr. Kevin. By myself June 28 Village meetings held. Villagers July 5 Have a meeting with Fred Fred and me July 20 Have a meeting. Fred and me Aug. 5 Solar Cookers receive at our country. By myself Aug. 6 Solar cookers couldn’t send to our hometown. By myself Aug. 8 Have a meeting. Villagers and I Aug. 9 Send the solar cookers to our home Villagers and I Aug. 15 Write the report to Canada Fund. By myself 10. The local contribution is 250 rmb and each household contributed 10 rmb.

82

18 Canada Fund Solar Cooker Project

25 Solar Cookers for: Kuba Village

Jingyuan Township Hualong Hui Autonomous County

Haidong Region Qinghai Province

September 14, 2003 Arthur (Guanque)

Letter of Appreciation

Dear Canada Fund, I am a student from Kuba Village, Jingyuan Township, Hualong County, Haidong Region,

Qinghai Province. In my village, we were able to collect 10 rmb from each family, totaling 250 rmb as a local

contribution. They use your solar cookers every day. According to the villagers, the solar cookers are very useful. For example, when the temperature is high and the sun is shining, solar cookers can be used to cook food. They can also be used to make hot water or pots of tea.

Now, we do not need a lot of money or time for collecting wood or other fuel. According to my mother, before we received the solar cookers, people would go out and collect wood from forests. That was not good for the environment.

I think in the future solar cookers will be used instead of wood or other fuel for fire. I represent all of my villagers when I thank you a lot for the contribution you gave to us.

Sincerely, Arthur (Guanque)

Project Activities

Date Activities Participants June 6th, I wrote the application Arthur June 13th I wrote the project agreement Arthur June 28th I telephoned the Village head and told him this project Village head and

Arthur July 10th I went home Arthur July 20th The village head asked me about the solar cookers Village head and I July 25th Village head and I telephoned Dr. Kevin Dr. Kevin, Village

head and I August 17th I asked Dr. Kevin about Fred’s phone number Dr. Kevin and I August 25th I telephoned to Fred and asked him when the solar cookers

will come Fred and I

August 28th We waited for the solar cookers come to my hometown Villagers September 4th

The solar cookers arrived at my hometown and the village head gave one to each family

Villagers

September 14th

I wrote the final report Arthur

I received 25 solar cookers for Kuba village. The local contribution is 250 rmb and each household contributed 10 rmb.

83

19 Canada Fund Solar Cooker Project

35 Solar cookers for: Xiangyi Village

Wendu Township Xunhua Salar Autonomous County

Haidong Region Qinghai Province

September 14, 2003 Brad (Duojiezhaxi)

Letter of Appreciation Dear Canada Fund,

I am a student from grade one class A, my English name is Brad, and my Tibetan name is Duojiezhaxi. Most of Tibetans are poor. Recently, the government ordered cutting trees in the forest stopped. Thus many Tibetan women work harder to collect firewood. Around the village there was no more ox dung or firewood, so in the morning when the birds hadn’t yet awoke, they always went to the mountaintops or other areas to collect fuel. When they cook food, they always stay near the fire and smoke, particular in the summer it is very hard. Their lives were very uncomfortable. Fortunately you gave the solar cookers for many Tibetan households, and saved their suffering.

Before, children in this village couldn’t go to school, because they had to collect firewood. Now each family received a solar cooker from Canada Fund.

Some people in my village said that solar cookers are very useful. Each solar cooker can boil ten teapots everyday. They can also be used to cook many kind of food. For example it can cook meat, bread, vegetables, and potatoes. Solar cooker make their life better than before. So they thank you a lot for your help! Best wishes! Brad (Duojiezhaxi)

1.Project name: 35 solar cookers for Xiangyi Village 2. Project location: Xiangyi Village, Wendu Township, Xunhua County, Qinghai Province 3.The local contribution: 10 rmb for per solar cooker, 350 rmb in total

84

4. Project Activities Date Activities Participants

June 7th I wrote the application With my friendsJune 8th I telephoned to my father and asked him about the project Brad June 25th

I wrote the agreement With my classmates

June 29th

I borrowed some money from my sister and give it to Fred for local contribution

Brad

July 3rd We had a meeting and I asked Fred for the number of the truck With my classmates

July 9th I telephoned my father and let him come to our Wendu Township and waited for the truck that carried the solar cookers

By myself

July 12th I telephoned my father and asked whether the solar cookers were received or not

Brad

July 14th I went to my home and gave the solar cookers to all households and collected the local contribution

With our villagers

July 25th I asked some questions to villagers about the solar cookers With villagers August 8th

I wrote the final report Brad

85

20 Canada Fund Solar Cooker Project

30 Solar Cookers for: Tashi Village

Chuma Township Hualong Hui Autonomous County

Haidong Region Qinghai Province

September 14, 2003 Daphne (Xiawuji)

Translated Letter of Appreciation Dear Canada Fund,

I am the leader of the village. First, I stand for all of my villagers and thank you for your contribution. This project solved a big problem in my village. The condition is not as good as other villages, and we are always running short of fuel and money. So this time we eagerly need others help. In front of this village there are many problems that we cannot solve by ourselves.

So this project is important to us. In my village, there are only a few trees and we have a hard time getting fuel or wood. Each family has wanted to buy a solar cooker for a long time. Unfortunately, they have no money to buy one, or to pay the tuition for the children. After you helped us, all of us feel that the solar cookers are very useful and convenient. It can save a lot of fuel and time, so it is also economical. I thank you with all of our hearts again!

Best wishes!

Village Leader

Summary: 1. I received 30 solar cookers for Tashi Village 2. The local contribution is 300 rmb, each household contributed10 rmb.

Project Activities

Date Activities Participants 25/4 I gave the application to Dr Kevin Dr Kevin and I22/6 I went to my village voted families I and villages 25/6 I collected contribution from villagers I and villages 2/7 I gave the village contribution to Kevin Dr Kevin and I 10/7 I received the solar cookers and took them to the village Daphne 10/8 I asked village people how about the solar cooker I and villages 7/9 The final report is to Dr Kevin Dr Kevin and I

86

21 Canada Fund Solar Cooker Project

26 Solar Cookers for Delong Tibetan Buddhist Monastery

Wang ga tang Township Xiahe County

Gannan Tibetan Autonomous prefecture Gansu Province

September 15, 2003 Vivian (Wanmacao)

Translation of the appreciation letter from Delong Tibetan Buddhist Monastery

Dear Canada Fund,

This project was helpful for Delong Temple. We want to say thanks for Canada Fund’s support.

We can easily cook some food and boil water by solar cookers. They can save our time. We think they are very useful.

Before, in the temple all the people used wood for fuel. We often had to go to the forest to collect firewood and cut down trees. The road from the monastery to the forest is very dangerous, but we had to go there.

This project has made our life more convenient and better. So we want to say thanks again for Canada Fund’s assistance.

Sincerely, Vivian

Summary:

1.Received 26 solar cookers for Delong Temple. 2. Local contribution was 10 rmb for per household, 250 rmb in total. How did people get fuel before this solar cooker project?

• Collect fire wood from the forest • Buy coal from coal store • Use electronic stove

How have the solar cookers helped the monastery?

• Don’t need to collect more firewood from forest • Can save more money without using electronic stove or buying coal • Can do other housework during day time

What do the people use solar cookers to do?

• Cook food more easily and conveniently • Boil water • Bake bread, when the temperature is high

87

The monks think that this project is very useful because they do not have to go to the forest for fuel. Instead they use the time doing other things. In addition they can save a bit of money to afford their food and clothes. Project Activities

Date (2003) Activities Participants May, 25th I gave the application to Dr Kevin Vivian June, 14th I wrote agreement of doing this project Vivian July, 15th I called my father to collect the local contribution form the

temple Vivian

July, 20th I gave the local contribution to Fred who is responsible for the whole term of this project

Vivian

August, 12th I received 26 solar cookers and gave them to the temple Vivian and her father

September, 14th

I wrote final report for this project Vivian

88

22 Canada Fund Solar Cooker Project

20 Solar Cookers for: Sairu Village

Qiagai Township Joni County

Gannan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture Gansu Province

September 12, 2003 Bethany (Baimacuo)

Translated Letter of Appreciation

Dear Canada Fund, I am the leader of my village and my name is Rongdijia, from Sairu village, Qiagai Township,

Joni County, Gannan Tibet Autonomous Prefecture, Gansu Province. I sincerely thank you for your generosity protecting the natural environment and natural

resources. Our village economy and education are lagging far behind others. This is caused by the following two problems: The place of our village is a plateau, and most of mountains surrounding us are cliff and covered by forest before, but now there are not any trees and we are depending on yak dung. But some families do not have any livestock and can’t depend on it. Our food is depending on farmland, but there’s not much of it and our cash income is very low.

You generously offered us solar cookers, which made our life much better than before and also you answered natural’s call from suffering and brought us away from destruction. So I thank you for generosity.

From Sairu Villagers,

August 26th 2003 Dear Canada Fund,

Before my village received your help, they always collected fuel far away. Women got up very early for collecting fuel. There were many trees besides our village before, but now we can’t see any trees. So we need to go far away and most time we get warm just with yak dung. Although we are herdsmen, some of households do not have livestock, so they depend on coal, but their cash income is very low and they do not have enough money to buy coal.

When we received your help, we resolved some of these problems. Women needn’t work in smoky kitchens to boil water and men needn’t carry the yak dung from pastures. Especially, children can go to the school.

Also the cookers can cook food without destroying the environment. It helps to protect the wild plants and give wildlife a peaceful home.

I am a girl. People always think the girls can’t do anything, except herding yaks and collecting fuel. So this time I got your help and made them think differently.

Thanks so much for your helping and I hope we get more help from you. It can change the villagers’ thoughts and minds. Thank you!

89

0 . - 3 - 3 5 S, (Bethany) September 11th 2003

The local contribution is 200 rmb, each household contribute 10 rmb. Project Activities:

Date Activities ParticipantsJune 6th, 2003 Wrote the application Bethany June 20th, 2003 Filled the project agreement Bethany June 23ird Called the local leader for the contribution Rongdijia July 6th, 2003 I collected contribution from the leader of the village Rongdijia July lst I gave the village contribution to Kevin Kevin July 9th, 2003 I received the solar cookers and took them to the village Bethany August 2ed, 2003 I asked the villagers how are the solar cookers working Villagers September 12th, 2003 I will give the final report to Dr Kevin

This is a list of households that received the solar cookers:

2!/- 0,

5K- <A%- #<,

2!/- :6 B/- 5K- <A%- ,

3$R/- 0R- .R/- :P2,

2?R.- /3?- - .2%- o=,

K$- hR<- 5K- <A%- ,

0.- 3- 35S,

2/- .J- 3#<,

z- 3R- *2?,

29%- :.?- *2?,

n- 3/- @/,

%R2- ,/- ?/,

/R<- 2- 5K- <A%- ,

o=- +J,

g- 3PA/- o=,

1-.0:- 5K- <A%- ,

hR- eJ- 35S,

2N- >A?- .R/- :P2, 

K$- hR<,

%R2- 2/-O A/,

90

23 Canada Fund Solar Cooker Project

19 Solar Cookers for: Sahara Village Nina Township Maqu County

Gannan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture Gansu Province

September 15, 2003 Degla Caireng (Beckham)

Dear Canada Fund, Thanks that you for contributing 19 solar cookers to Sahara Village. The cookers are useful

and convenient. Before, the villagers always collected the fuel from mountains and other areas. Some families collected fuel for four to six hours every day. In winter, we did not have much money to buy coal. It is very hard to live. The villagers think the solar cookers are great. Of course, if it is a foggy or cloudy day we can’t boil water, but that is a small problem.

The villagers said that if there is a solar cooker in a family, they could save their money to send children to school. There are only 19 families in this village, so I didn’t have many problems, just two things: When I came the first time to collect their fingerprints, two families had gone to town to buy something, and the second time, when I to take photographs, seven families had gone to Labrang Monastery to meet the Pan chin Lama. I didn’t finish my work very well. Please forgive me.

Sincerely, Beckham

Project Activities

Date Activities Participants On June 5th I heard about the project of solar cookers. Some students and me.On June 8th I wrote the application. Some students and me.On July 1st I telephoned to my village and told it to them. Myself. On August 14th. The solar cookers arrived in my village. Sender and my family. On August 15th I gave the solar cookers to each household. The villagers and me. On August 18th Fred and Joseph came to village to watch Fred, Joseph and me On August 21st I collected villagers to print fingerprints. The villagers and me. On August 25th I collected villagers to take photographs. The villagers and me. On August 27th I wrote final report. Myself

I received 19 solar cookers for Sarah Village. Local contribution is 190 rmb and each household contributed 10 rmb.

92

This is a list of household heads that received the solar cookers:Rabco Soba Lanak Tucarkyi Tashilamo Norkyi Lob sang Yishitso Tsebo Tamtso Tsepak Latke Lamokyi Rabgy Gongbotashi Shrub Tseko Tse`angkyi Yishitso

93

24 Canada Fund Solar Cooker Project

40 Solar Cookers for: Kongxong Village Mangla Township

Guinan County Hainan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture

Qinghai Province

September 14, 2003 Barry (Hkongartyl)

Appreciation Letter Translation

Dear Canada Fund, My name is Dazhenjie and I am one of the ordinary villagers who received the Canada Fund

supported solar cookers. I represent all our villagers to say thanks a lot for your help. Now, this village has many big problems. For instance, all of the people drink from a small well, and they often get sick from bad water.

The main fuel of the village is wood. In the winter, villagers spend a lot of time to get firewood from the forest. No wonder that the beautiful forest is getting smaller and smaller, and the spring is also getting drier and drier. Every one in the village knows these bad things, but they couldn’t stop it because they do not have other kinds of fuels.

Your donation has greatly helped the villagers, and this project worked as successfully as you wanted.

At the end of the letter I say thanks a lot again to you. Best wishes

Villager: Dazhenjie

Dear Canada Fund: My name is Hkontargyl and my English name is Barry. First, I say thanks for your help. I asked an old man called Lajia about when he was young: How could people from this

village get fuel? He answered sadly, “When I was young, this village was not like this pale place. Around the village was just a big forest, and if a guest wasn’t familiar with this place, he couldn’t find the way here. We also took branches for our fuel. It is an easy thing to get deforestation.”

I went to another family and talked to a young woman. She said, “Before, we always destroyed nature, but now nature is punishing us. You can see we have no beautiful forest and no water for drinking. Isn’t this very dangerous? So those solar cookers are very powerful for our life to save.” So, Canada Fund, you solved the biggest problem that our village had.

Best wishes, Barry

Summary:

I am in Kongxong Village, Mangla Township, Guinan County, Hainan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Qinghai Province. The village has a population of 413, 105 families. Only 30% of the children go to school. The village has 3000 sheep and goats, and few other livestock. The livelihood of the family relies on animal husbandry. I received 40 solar cookers for Kongxong Village. The local contribution was 15 rmb for per solar cooker and 600 rmb in total.

94

Project Activities:

Date Activities Participants 16th June

I wrote proposal Barry

18th Proposal is give to Dr. Kevin Barry 22nd Dr. Kevin gave a list (about solar cooker) to me Dr. Kevin 23rd The students who received solar cookers had a meeting in the library Barry et al 27th I telephoned the leader of our village to collect the local contribution Danzen 30th I received 600 rmb sent from my village Barry 5th July Give local contribution to Dr. Kevin Dr. Kevin 18th Solar cookers are received by my village Barry 19th The villagers had a meeting All the

villagers 20th Solar cookers are installed 21-22 I checked solar cookers and villagers who put the solar cookers near

grass are asked to move them Barry

1st Aug.

Fred came to this village and checked Fred

25th I made the final report Barry

95

25 Canada Fund Solar Cooker Project

25 Solar Cookers for: Ahwuju Village

Jingyuan Township Hualong Hui Autonomous County

Haidong Region Qinghai Province

September 15, 2003 Aaron (Khulrgyltar)

Appreciation Letter

.$:- $?- :R?- 0:A- #- /- +- ,J2?- l- 5S$?- 0- =,

HJ.- i3?- 0?- ,$?- eJ- ,/- IA?- $9A$?- +J- %- 5S:C- 1 - ;=- =-3#R- 2!R=- (J- 2:A- *A- :R.- /?- 0:A- ,2- !- 30- $/%- 2- . J- .-

=R:A- .L<- #- /?- 29%- <%- #J- 2:A- HA3- 5%- ? R- ?R- /?- 2! R=- 3$R- 2l3?, 2#R3?- lA?- L?- 0- v<- /- $/%- ,A/- ,R2- 0:A- ..- HA3-

.J- .$- $ A?- <%- $ A- :2.- m-?- 3%- 0R- 8A$- 9- 3- 2{ R=- 2<- 3- 2{ R=- 2<- PR/- (%- LJ.- ,2- 0- L%-?- 9., )- #R$- 3- $%- 2{ R=- 2<-

;%- .?- 5S.- {<- 3- :$:- 3- $+ R$?- 3 R- .$R?- 2?, .%R?- $/?- :2.- m? .! R/- 0:A- ?- #=- =- 3J.- .- 3A- <% - 2:A- HA3- 5%- $ A- ;R-

L.- & A$- ;A/- 0- 5?- 3A- .$R?, :.A<- %- <%- o- (J- 2:A- #J- .3%?- ; R%?- GA- 52- L?- + J- HJ.- i3- 0<- 2!:- SA/- ~A% - /?- 8- 2- .%-

(2?- & A$- eJ?- ?- ;%- H J.- &$- $ A?- *A- :R.- /?- 0:A- ,2- !- $/%- ,A/- LJ.- 0:A- L- :$=- .J- ?- #=- $8/- 0<- %J=-2<- 3HJ/- 3HJ/,,

8J?- [- o=- ,<- /?- $?- 1=, 2003=R:C- ̂ - 9- 5K?- 5-= 

Translation of the thanks letter Dear Canada Fund,

Thanks for taking time to read my letter. As a result of your generous help, now there are 30 families in the village using solar cookers, which provide a lot benefit for the local people. For instance, they reduce the females’ work and increase the number of students, and reduce the diseases that are caused by the smoke in the kitchen. So now all of the villagers are very happy and do not know how to thank you. So, here I represent all of the villagers to thank you again. I think it is very good project, especial for the farm place, because they do not need to move places as nomadic places. And I hope you will do such fabulous project for other places next.

Best wishes,

All Villagers

96

1. Project name: Solar cooker project in Hualong. 2. Project site: Ahwuju Village, Jingyuan Township, Hualong Hui Autonomous County, Qinghai Province. 3. Supervisor: Kevin Stuart (English teacher, Qinghai Normal University) Fred (Student in ETP) 4. Applicant: Aaron (A student in the ETP, and native person of the village) 5. Project Summary:

My name is Khul Rgyl Tar and my English name is Aaron. I am a student in the English Training Program.

I received 30 solar cookers (25 solar cookers supported by Canada Found, five purchased by local contributions). I installed these solar cookers in the poorest households. I chose them by their income.

In my village, there are 52 households including the ten monks in the monastery nearby. The population of this village is about 287. Most of the people are uneducated and follow agricultural way of life. They have a few livestock, and got fuel from the small wood near the village. Now this has been forbidden. So now, villagers must buy coal for their fuel, but it is very expensive. Most are unable to purchase coal. So the solar cooker is very helpful for them. After they received solar cookers they do not need to buy coal for their fuel. They can spend the money, which they previously spent on the coal, on their children’s education.

Aims: Expensive coal need not be purchased. Straw that would have been burnt for fuel will be fed to livestock. Reduce the diseases caused by smoke in the kitchen. Save the money, which would be spent on coal. Increase the number of the students.

6. Project activities:

Time Activities Participants April 15, 2003 Sent proposal to Mr. Kevin. Aaron May 24, 2003 Had a meeting with Fred. Fred and Aaron May 27, 2003 Filled the second proposal form and sent it Mr.

Kevin. Aaron

June 6, 2003 Had a meeting with Mr. Kevin and Fred, and project was found.

Mr. Kevin Fred, Aaron

July 5, 2003 Had a meting with the villagers and gave the local contribution to Mr. Kevin.

Villagers Aaron

August 24, 2003 Transported the solar cookers to the village first time.

Aaron Dorjicaidan

August 27, 2003 Transported the solar cookers the second time. Dorjicaidan

Aaron

97

8. This is a list of households that received solar cookers:

98

26 Canada Fund Solar Cooker Project

30 Solar Cookers for: Jaren Village

Donba Township Gonghe County

Hainan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture Qinghai Province

September 15, 2003 Yullhater (Alton)

Dear Canada Fund,

Jaren Village is far from Hainan Prefecture Town, and the transportation is not convenient. This village is the poorest in Gonghe County. There are 65 families in Jaren. The fields and the grassland are not enough for the village people. There is no water for irrigation. Fuel is a big problem. If villagers can get a good crop, they can use straw as fuel. The people can’t afford to purchase coal.

Most of the women and children collect yak dung from near the village, but there is not enough. So, they go to Xiala grassland to collect yak dung. This is very far from Jaren, and the road is steep and dangerous. When they go there to collect yak dung, they need three or four days.

The villagers welcomed these solar cookers. They were happy with this project. They were also satisfied with the solar cookers’ quality.

In the village, most children do not go to school. They always go out to collect fuel. They can’t get the education .The primary school never develops the important thing of education. The government doesn’t notice this condition.

Now the village people can cook easily by solar cookers. They can cook some breads, vegetables and potato. Also they can boil hot water and meat. It is clear the Canada Fund supported solar cookers are saving much time. The women will have to spend much less time do housework. I represent Jaren village to thank Canada Fund. Every villager thanks your Fund and hopes your work gets even better. Thanks a lot for your support.

Best wishes, Alton

99

Project Activities Dates Activities Participants 24/4 I wrote the application with Frank. Alton and Frank 1/5 I gave the application to Dr. Kevin Alton 5/6 I called my village to tell them about the project Alton 15/6 I let the village select the poorest families Alton and Lamo Caidan20/6 The leader of village collected the contribution Lamo Caidan 23/7 The leader sent the contribution to me Alton and Lamo Caidan1/7 I gave the village contribution to Fred Alton and Fred 12/7 I received solar cookers and took them to village Alton and Lamo Caidan12/7 Fred and Joseph investigated my village Fred ,Joseph and Alton 13/7 I explain the whole project to villagers Pohua and Alton 14/8 I asked villagers how about the solar cookers Alton 15/9 The final report sent to Dr Kevin Fred and Alton

I received 30 solar cookers for Jaren Village. The local contribution: each household contributed 10 rmb, 300 rmb in total.

100

27 Canada Fund Solar Cooker Project

65 Solar Cookers for: Taigalong Tibetan Village

Duowei Township Xunhua Salar Autonomous County

Haidong Region Qinghai Province

September 22, 2003 Simon (Lijia)

September 2, 2003 Dear Canada Fund, I am glad to report on the successful completion of the solar cooker project for Taigalong Tibetan Village.

After receiving notification from Dr. Kevin that Canada Fund contributed a big amount of money for solar cooker projects for poor villages, I asked for 65 solar cookers for Taigalong Village, which is the poorest, and far from Daowei Township town.

Dr. Kevin gave students who are involved in this project proposal forms. I went there to investigate two things: How many families already have solar cookers; and the economic situation of the families who wanted to be solar cooker recipients. I chose the recipients carefully with help from a teacher (Xunhua Tibetan Middle School) from this village, and the village leaders. Finally, I filled out the form in Xining and gave it to Dr. Kevin and waited for the final decision.

When Dr. Kevin and Fred decided to fund my project, I signed a contract with Fred, and gave 650 rmb as a local contribution. I also discussed the date of delivering solar cookers in the village.

On the delivery day, I went to this village to organize villagers with the village leaders and distributed solar cookers to 65 families. Young men unloaded solar cookers from the truck and ladies took the solar cookers to each household, using carts. Workers from the factory went to some household to show the young men how to install the solar cookers.

Finally, on behalf of all the Taigalong villagers I would like to say thanks for your generous contribution and give you our best wishes.

Sincerely, Lijia (Simon)

Appreciation Letter Translation

Dear Canada Fund,

We, the villagers who received solar cookers in Taigalong Village very appreciate your generosity and kindness. Geographically, our village is located midway up north mountain in Duowei Township, and the villagers own much un-irrigated land which is unfertile. Although this is a farming village, the income from farming is very limited, therefore the men in the village have to go out in the summer to find cash income with labor work, such as construction work and building roads. When the men work outside for cash income, the women in the village have to be responsible for all the housework, raising children, herding livestock, doing farming work, collecting fuels, etc.

In local villagers mind, collecting fuel is women’s burden, so they do not worry about it. The women have to spend much time to go to mountains to collect fuel. Also, some families in the village

101

haven’t sent their daughter to school because they must help the mother to collect fuel, as well as do other housework. We know that this solar cooker, an advanced scientific tool, can greatly help all of us, especially the women because, they can use less time on collecting fuels, and spend less time in the dark kitchen. They can boil tea for their husbands and families without burning any fuel.

“Now I do not have to go to the mountain to collect fuel, so I can take some time to collect grass for my cow and donkey.” And, “So we can drink hot milk tea immediately without fire in the fire hole, especially in the summer.”

It is clear that Canada Fund supported solar cookers are saving much of the villagers’ time. They will have to spend much less time in the mountains collecting firewood and dung. We extend sincere appreciation to Canada Fund for helping these 65 Tibetan households. Thanks very much, Taigalong Village

Evaluation Before project implementation

(a) Collecting fuels is extremely difficult work in this village and is culturally defined as the responsibility of girls and women (b) Impoverished households can’t afford expensive coal (500 rmb/household/year) (c) Current organic materials are being collected from mountains far from this village (d) Women’s and girls’ eyes become irritated in smoky kitchens (f) Girls are not sent to school but, instead, are assigned to collect fuel

After project implementation a) Ladies use less time collecting fuels b) Family can use a smaller amount of money to buy coal c) Ladies do not spend a long time in smoky and dark kitchens d) Straw can be use to feed livestock instead of burning it as fuel e) More girls can go to school

Financial Summary Description Amount rmb

Canada Fund 65 cookers (65 solar cookers x 130 rmb) 8,450 Local contribution 650 Simon’s contribution 66 Total 9,166

Project Activities

Date Activities Participants 6/11--13/ Went to the village to choose the recipients Villagers &

Simon 6/14/2003 Filled up forms Simon 9/03--2003 Transported and distributed solar cookers to households in

Taigalong Village Villagers & Simon

10/01/2003 Work on final report Simon

This is a list of household that received solar cookers in June, 2003:

102

Household head Household No.

?%?- S, Sangba 009

z- =%- 5K- 2g/, Lhalongcaidan 018

2/- .J- o=, Wandegya 012

:R- 3R- &R$ Omojok 017

z- 3R- 35S, Lhamotso 019

[- o=- 5K- 2g/, Legyatsidan 005

:R%- T$ Ongzhou 021

1R=- 3- :23, Drolmabum 003

.0:- hR, huardo 010

z- =%- hR- eJ, Lhalongrdoje 002

[- o=, (%- , Legyal 016

z- =%- *A., Lhalongji 001

.2%- o=, Hanggya 012

2?3- $+/, Samdan 84

:)3- .L%?, Jamyang 86

z- =%- 5K- 2g/, Lhalongcaidan 96

3$R/- 0R- .R/- :P2, Gonbodongzhi

98

5K- 2g/- o=, Caidangya 83

0.- 3, Badma 82

0.- 3- 2N- >A?, Zhashi  94

hR- eJ, Dorje 38

:V$- .<, Zhoudai 35

o- 35S, Gyatso 34

><- 29%- , Shezong 33

~A%- t$?- L3?, Niangjakshem

31

?%?- o?, Sanggye 24

.R/- :P2, Dongzhi 28

<A/- (J/, Rengchin 97

{=- 29%- , Kalsang 27

5K- <A%- .R/- :P2, Cairengdonzhi

30

z- 3R- o=, Lhamogyal 26

3#:- :PR- o=, Kadrogya 89

5K- <A%- :V$ Cairengzhou 90

5K- =R, Cailo 25

;A- .3, Jidan 88

5K- .<, Caidai 87

:V$- lJ- o=, Zhoutsigya 86

3A%- 3J., Mangmei 91

z- =%- , Lhalong

]R- 29%- 1/- 5S$?, Losangpentsok

063

<A/- (J/- z/- 0R, Renchinlhenbo 082

.R/- :P2- o- 35S, Dongzhigyatso

064

.0:- hR, Huado 065

<A=- :#R<, Renkho 068

.R/- :P2- z, Dongzhigya 091

104

$.- z, Delha 092

[- :23- o=, (J- 2, Lumbengya 062

z- =%- , Lhalong 076

?%?- o?, Sanggye 067

~A%- t$?- .R/- :P2, Niangjijia  081

g- 3PA/, Hdadreng 040

:V$- o, Zhoujia 078

[- o- :23, Lenbengya 039

5K- <A%- , Caireng 042

hR- eJ- 5K- <A%- , Dorjecaireng 043

[- :23- o, (%- 2, Lumbengya

044

29R.- 0, Zoba 045

{=- 29%- *A- 3, Kalsangnima 046

0.- 3- o=, Padmagya 048

$;%- :23- o=, Yangbengya 050

2/- .J- *A., Wandeji 051

z- =%- hR- eJ, Lhalongdorje 053

><- 29R%- , Shezong 055

3#:-:23- o=, Khabengya 056

z- =%- .R/- :P2, Lhalongdongzhi

052

105

28 Canada Fund Solar Cooker Project

25 Solar Cookers for: Gapu Village

Zhigang Township Jianzha County

Huangnan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture Qinghai Province

September 14, 2003 Edgar (Tsedan)

14 September 2003 Dear Canada Fund,

I am a student from grade one. My English name is Edgar and my Tibetan name is Tsedan. I am from a small and poor village in Jianzha County, Huangnan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture. I am 19 years old. I wrote an application to the Canada Fund for the solar cooker project.

I want to introduce Gapu Village. Before we had solar cookers in our village, a person of each family went to collect wood. They spent 4-8 hours every day on this task, especially the women and children, so they had no time for other things. A lot of people cut trees from the forest for fuel.

The Canada Fund provided our village with 25 solar cookers. So now villagers do not go to cut trees. Each solar cooker can boil 10-15 teapots every day and cook a lot of things such as vegetables, meat, and bread. All of villagers realize how useful it is.

We are very delighted and wish to thank the Canada Fund very much. Best wishes!

Edgar

Appreciation Letter 2!:- SA/- 8- ;A$

2!:- SA/- 35%?- ̂ - V=- 2:A- #- /- +:A- $8%- 52- #%- =, 

:.A<- .2=- 1R%?- GA- $/?- ?- z%- 2:A- %- 5S:C- #J- 2- (%- (%- :.A- =- ,2- #%- .- :2- LJ.-GA- >A$- @- &%- .! R/, $=- +J-:2-

>A%- :,- <- :PR- .$R?- /- =J- .2<- 2&- $&A$- .%- 2&- $*A?- 43- IA- /$?- ?- :PR- .$R?, H.- 0<- .- *J- 2:A- =R- >?- <A%- =-/$?- 5=-

Y%- *R2- LJ.- 28A/- 3(A?- 2?, #J- 2:A- *J?- 0- .%- *J?- 3- i3?- GA?- L- 2- :. A- =- /%?- }- =%?- .%- .$ R%?- :KA- *=- |R- /?- :2.-

0- LJ.- 28A/- 3(A?, ,- /- <%- *A.- GA- 2- .%- 2- 3R- aR2- 9<- KA<- ]%?- + J- :2.- >A%- :,?- 0:A- =?- !- # R- 5S:C- U$- +- 28$- /?- =?-

:$/- tA- 3R- 8A$- =- 2lA- 28A/- 3(A?, .- {2?- 2<- .- $/.- . R/- :.A- ,$- 2&.- 3- ,2, 

106

;A/- /- ;%- , !2?- =J$?- 0- 8A$- =- #- /- +:A- $8%- 52- #%- $ A?- <R$?- *R<- :R$- %- 5S:C- #J- 2:A- .2=- 1R%?- GA- $/?- ?-

z%- 2:A- HA3- 5%- *J<- s<- *A- ,2- GA- <R$?- *R<- ,R2- 0- /A- %- 5S:C- #J- 2:A- $/.- . R/-<A$?- $=- (J/- 8A$- ;A/- 0<- 3- 9., %- 5S:A- #J- 2:A-

=R- $%- 3%-<A%- $A- ?J3?- #<- .%- .!:- %=- H.- .- 2?.- 0- .%- , 2.J- *A.- GA- $8%- =3- .- 1R/- 3J:A- $J- :OA.- L?- 0<- ~ A%- ,$- 0-

/?-.!:- SA/- (J- 8:R,,

<R$?- *R<- ,R2- 0:A- HA3- 5%- *J<- s?,

2003=R:C- ,A- ̂ - 90:A- 5K?- 14*A/,

Translation

Dear Canada Fund, Before our village received the solar cookers from Canada Fund, many people worried about

their cooking fuel every year. Also in these years, our township government made rules that families can’t cut wood from the forest, so our villagers were worried that they couldn’t find fuel.

In our village every family can only earn 1500-2000 rmb each year and that is not enough to buy things for their families. Therefore, some families’ sons and daughters cannot go to school. They have to stay home and earn some money to help their family.

Now, our village has received 25 solar cookers from Canada Fund. It has solved our village’s big problem and given us a new life. Finally, our villagers say thanks to the Canada Fund.

All villagers

September 14, 2003 Project Activities

Date Activities Participants

June 6th I wrote an application. With my room mates

June 20th I wrote project agreement. With my classmates

June 28th I called my father and let him collect local contribution. By myself

June 30th I received the local contribution with my father. By myself

July second I had another meeting. With my friends

July 5th I gave the local contribution to Fred. With my classmates

July 16th We received the solar cookers and installed them. With my villagers

July 19th We received 15 solar cookers and installed them. With my villagers

July 22nd Check up with solar cookers. With my brother

August 15th I wrote final report By myself

Local contribution: Each household contributed 20 rmb, is 500 rmb in total.

107

29 Canada Fund Solar Cooker Project

30 Solar Cookers for: Bamatang Village

Xongxian Township Hualong Hui Autonomous County

Haidong Region Qinghai Province

September 15, 2003 Todd

Dear Canada Fund,

I am Todd, who comes from Bamatang Village, Xongxian Township, Hualong County, Haidong Region, Qinghai Province.

In my mind’s eye, my hometown is a beautiful place, which has many honest Tibetans. At this time, although society is changing and developing, peoples’ life is poor. One of their living ways was logging to make money. But because the local government forbad deforestation, their life has become increasingly difficult. So, being in this kind of situation, people have to go out and make money to live. I thought if people do not use new ways, they will never change their lives.

Because you made a contribution to my hometown, we were happy to give a local contribution of 450 rmb, and received the best presents--30 solar cookers. According to the local people, the solar cookers are really helpful and useful. For example, we can on average boil 13 pots of tea on the cooker every sunny day. Also it can be used for boiling meat and potatoes.

People will not waste a lot of wood and not pollute the environment. The most important thing is people are happy to use the scientific ways, and taste the good results.

Finally, I represent all of my villagers and thank you for your wonderful help. Your energy encouraged me to do more things for my own people.

Best wishes! Todd (for all Bamatang Villagers)

108

Project Activities Date Activities Participants

June 8th I wrote the application Todd June 20th I wrote the solar cooker project agreement with Teacher Kevin Dr. Kevin and I June 22nd I telephoned my father and asked him to collect the local

contribution My father and I

June 25th I gave the local contribution to Fred Fred and I July 2nd I asked Fred about the number of trucks Fred and I July 14th I went home and waited for the trucks with solar cookers Villagers and I July 25th I telephoned Fred and asked him to arrange the trucks that

would transport the solar cookers to my hometown Fred and I

August 8th The trucks with the solar cookers arrived in my hometown Villagers August 9th The village head I and I gave the solar cookers to each family Village Head,

villagers and I August 15th I asked villagers whether the solar cookers were useful Villagers and I Sept. 13 I wrote the final report Todd I received 30 solar cookers for Bamatang Village. The local contribution, each household contributed was 15 rmb or 450 rmb in total.

109

30 Canada Fund Solar Cooker Project

45 Solar Cookers for: Zhaxi Qukour Lang Monastery

Joni County Gannan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture

Gansu Province

September 10, 2003 Joseph (Tsebhak Namgel)

September 5, 2003

Dear Canada Fund, I want to tell you some details of how I did this project and how helpful it is. When I heard about this project, I planned to help my village. I wrote the application and

applied for 160 solar cookers, because my village has about 200 households. Before I did this, I asked my father for advice. My father answered, “You should ask for this project, because in our place, everyone is burning the trees that are from the natural forest, and it is destroying the environment.”

On June 24, we had a meeting with Fred. He told how many solar cookers each student was to receive. I learnt that I was to receive 45 solar cookers. After the meeting, I told all the information to my father and let him tell the news to the leaders of my village. On July 4, I heard that they were pleased and thought it would be helpful and convenient. So they sent the local contribution to me.

On August 11, my father called me to say the villagers had decided to give the cookers to the monks who are from my village and living in Zhaxi Qukour Lang Monastery, which is about ten km. away. Condition of this monastery:

1. 450-500 monks from 18 villages. 77 monks are from my village. 2. 273 households. 43 households are monks from my village. 3. The monks’ life is just depending on their family. 4. The families are giving and sending them all things like tsampa, butter, cheese, fuel, money

for spending, house, furniture, and so on. 5. For my villagers, the hardest work is finding and sending fuel to the monks. 6. Because of the poorness, most monks who are from my village are staying two, three, or four

monks in one house.

We have much forest for cutting and making fire. But, because of low education, in villagers’ minds, trees are just for cutting. Condition of using the trees:

1. Building houses. 2. Building temples. 3. Making fire. 4. Building sheepfold and pigsty. 5. Building cowshed and yak pen. 6. Making furniture. 7. Making tools of farming and herding. 8. Making fences for houses, tents, farms, etc.

110

Condition of finding and sending the fuels: 1. 15--40 years old people get up at 6:00 a.m. and go to the forest. 2. We have a big forest around our village but it is for the mountain god, so the villagers do

not cut the trees there. 3. The nearest forest that can be harvested is eight km. from my village, and about 18 km.

from the monastery. 4. At most they can collect one handcart of fuel per day. Then they would be back about

sunset time of the next day. 5. For the families who have monk(s) in the monastery, they have to prepare two more

tractors of dried chopped trees for their monk(s). 6. One tractor of fuel = four handcarts of fuel. (One handcart of fuel is two full days of work.

It means the families who have monks in the monastery must work 16 full days to collect and move fuel of their monks to their home and then they have to move it to the monastery which costs about 100 rmb.) Otherwise, if they want to buy the fuel for a year, it costs more than 300 rmb.

7. Actually, 16 full days work + 100 rmb = 300 rmb, but they usually choose the first way for saving money.

8. For the villagers, cutting trees is a very dangerous work because the forest are on the mountains and the mountains are very steep, so accidents cannot be avoided.

Terrible results of cutting too many trees:

1. Flood; 2. Soil erosion; 3. Less rain, it makes less harvest; 4. Smaller river and dirty water; 5. Degraded environment.

Distribution of solar cookers: (I had received 45 solar cookers from this project.)

1. Gave 43 solar cookers to 43 households of 77 monks from my village; 2. Gave one solar cooker to a mani hall in my village; 3. Gave one solar cooker to a temple of my village in Zhaxi Qukour Lang monastery.

After the monks have solar cookers, 1. They estimated that they can save about 1/2 fuels by this solar cooker by about ten days’

experience; 2. The families of the monks use shorter time for collecting the fuel; 3. They do not have to make fire in sunny days in summer and fall; 4. They bought more thermoses for receiving guests; 5. They boiled water on solar cooker and poured it into thermoses in the daytime for making

supper. They are washing their clothes in warm water; 6. They have more time for studying;

What do they do with solar cookers:

1. Boiling water; 2. Making dishes; 3. Cooking lunch; 4. Making noodles; 5. Cooking meats: beef, mutton, and pork; 6. Making Tibetan tea; 7. Boiling milk from their families;

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The more solar cookers are used, the less damage to the woods and environment, like soil erosion. In addition, the transportation is always terrible and there has not been electricity for years. Even if they do not know about pollution of environment and where it comes from, if they learnt that the river is becoming smaller and smaller, they would think it is our destiny. So after your project, we are protecting the environment in another way because there is less cutting. And we are helping ourselves to have a wonderful place to live. I believe that it is your main goal in this project and it works as wonderful as you could imagine.

It is clear that the Canada Found supported solar cookers are saving much of the monks’ and their families’ time, and providing a lot of convenience. The villagers can spend much less time in the mountains for collecting the firewood and avoid a lot of danger. For example: A man called Wandai Cheera was killed by falling wood when he was putting it on a truck, ten years ago.

The monks can use much less time for making fire and boiling water. They can use more time for researching our traditional culture.

Let me represent my 1100 villagers and 77 monks of my village to say thanks for your support to this poor area.

We extend sincere appreciation to the Canada Found for helping these monks and villagers. Sincerely,

Tsebhak Namgel (Joseph)

Project Activities Date Activities Participants

June 1st, 2003. I got the information about this project Randal (monitor)

June 2nd, 2003. I made a phone call to my father and told all information about this project.

My father and me.

June 6th, 2003. I wrote the application Joseph

June 20th, 2003. I filled the application Joseph June 24th, 2003. We had a meeting with Fred in the library. Fred and others June 25th, 2003. I made a phone call to my father and told that I have got

45 solar cookers in this project. My father and me.

June 30th, 2003. My father sent me the local contribution. My father and me

July 4th, 2003. I gave local contribution to Fred. Fred and me. July 9th, 2003. We had a meeting with Fred and he told about final report. Fred and others. July 24th, 2003. I made phone call to my father and told about when we

would receive the solar cookers. My father and me.

August 18th, 2003.

The solar cooker truck got to Hezuo City and my father led the truck to the monastery.

My father.

August 19-20th, 2003.

My father delivered the solar cookers to the monks. My father and monks.

August 24th, 2003.

Fred came to the monastery and learnt the situations about this monastery.

Fred, Joseph and monks.

September 4th, 2003.

I wrote the Final Report. Joseph

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31 Canada Fund Solar Cooker Project

34 Solar Cookers for: Ne’u-na Villag

Luohantang Township Guide County

Hainan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture Qinghai Province

September 10, 2003 Justin (Tshe-dbang-rdo-rje)

30 June 2003

Dear Canada Fund, We are pleased to report to the Canada Fund on the very satisfactory completion of this solar cooker project. It benefited 32 impoverished Tibetan households, Ne’u-na Primary School, and Ne’u-na Temple. As soon as I received the grant, we (Tshe-dbang-rdo-rje and Gonchuk Dongzhi) met to discuss where to buy the solar cookers. I chose to buy the solar cookers from Liuji Solar Cooker Factory located in Gansu, very near the Qinghai border. I did a solar cooker project last year. I have tested many factories’ solar cookers, and found these to be the best. It is bigger than others, and is the fastest one for boiling water. Many people who use Liuji Solar Cooker Factory’s solar cookers say the quality is the best in Qinghai and Gansu provinces. On June 27, a truck carrying 34 cookers2 reached the village at 7:30 p.m. Around ten villagers were waiting near the village road. Before they unloaded the truck, I asked the old village leader, Gunbao Cairang, and five villagers, to list all the poor families’ names. By 10:30 p.m., they finished unloading. I told them to tell the poor families to come for the cookers in the morning. I asked some honest villagers to stay at my home to help me. I asked Wanma Ben, Caihua, and my parents to choose the 32 poorest families from the Ne’u-na Number One and Number Two Brigades. When we finished choosing, it was almost 12:30 a.m. My family was also chosen, but I did not put my family on the list, because there are many families as poor. I asked my family to buy one from the factory and my family agreed. At 5: a.m., people arrived at my home to take the cookers (June 28). I asked them to wait for the other families. Around 7: a.m. all the poor families had arrived. I told them who funded this project, who helped me doing it, how much they should pay for the local contribution, and I asked if they had questions. I read the 34 families’ names and let each family take a cooker, one by one. I also asked each family to make fingerprints and pay me the 20 rmb local contribution. I did not collect the money from Ne’u-na Primary School, Ne’u-na Temple, or the two poorest families (Zhaxi Ben and Jiahuo).3 On June 29, I went to the homes of all these families. I took pictures and did interviews. They were very pleased with the quality, and said they no longer had to kindle a fire during hot summer days. Most cooking was being done on the solar cooker. On June 30, in the morning, I also visited Ne’u-na Primary School. I watched a girl put a kettle of cold water on the solar cooker. There were more than 15 students studying around the cooker, and waiting for hot water.

2 The Liujie Solar Cooker Factory truck driver brought six more, and he told me that he was going to sell them to villagers in my home area. 3 I did not collect a local contribution from the school, monastery, and two families because their solar cookers are paid for by the 30 families’ contribution. Also, on the original proposal, I only wrote 600 rmb of local contribution.

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I was told that a medium-sized kettle of water boiled in eight minutes, between 11: a.m. and 3: p.m. on cloudless days. Certain village women could conveniently boil potatoes, meat, and various dishes. It is clear that the Canada Fund supported solar cookers are saving much of the villagers’ time. They will have to spend much less time in the mountains collecting firewood and dung. We extend sincere appreciation to the Canada Fund for helping this village. Sincerely, Tshe-dbang-rdo-rje (Justin) Gonchuk Dongzhi

Final Activity Report 1. Project name: Ne’u-na Village Solar Cooker Project 2. Project period: June 24, 2003- June 30,2003 3. Project Site: Ne’u-na Village, Luohan Tang Township, Guide County, Hainan Tibetan

Autonomous Prefecture, Qinghai Province 4. Responsible persons: Gongbao Cairang, village leader

• Tshe-dbang-rdo-rje, villager resident, University student in Xining • Gonchuk Dongzhi, University student in Xining • Kevin Stuart, English Teacher in Nationalities Department, Qinghai Normal University,

Xining.

5. Supervisors: Kevin Stuart 6. The Canada Fund contribution: 4,500.00 rmb 7. Local villagers’ contribution: 666.00 rmb4 8. Total cost of the project: 5,100.00 rmb 9. Aims: To purchase 32 solar cookers for the impoverished households, Ne’u-na Monastery, and

Ne’u-na Primary School, which would increase income and reduce household females’ work. Solve the problem of fuel. Children can enter school.

Students and teachers can boil hot very conveniently, and save time for studying. It also reduces teachers’ cooking expenses.

4 666.00 rmb of local contribution includes my own contribution 66 rmb.

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10. Project Implementation Record Date Accomplishments Participants

April 20, 2003

First proposal give to Kevin Stuart Tshe-dbang-rdo-rje (Justin)

May Have meeting with Kevin Stuart to fill another proposal form.

Justin, Jerry, Alton, Ian, Frank etc.

May Give second proposal to Kevin Stuart Justin, Jerry, Alton, Ian, Frank etc.

June 22 We had a meeting Project manager Fred, Justin, Ian, Alton, Victor, Frank etc.

June 26 Deliver the solar cookers from Liuji Solar Cooker Factory (Gansu) to Xining

June 27 Deliver the solar cookers from Xining to project site Justin, two factory drivers.

June 27 At night had a meeting with the villager leader and some old people to discuss and choose the households, which should receive the solar cookers.

Justin, Wanma Ben, Gongbao Cairang, Caihua and Justin’s parents

June 28 In the morning informed the villagers about this project, who supported. Then let each household who has been chosen take a solar cooker.

Wanma Ben, Caihua and Justin

June 29 In the afternoon check all households one by one and take pictures, teach them how to use it, take photos and do interview.

Justin and Zhaxi Ben

Receipts

The-dbang-rdo-rje’s Own Expense Date 2003

Receipt No

Item Location Total rmb

June 27

1 Taxi Qinghai Normal University to Bus Station 11 11

June 27

2 Roll of film

Xining City 20 20

June 27

3 Lunch Huangzhong County (Delivering solar cookers to Ne’u-na)

16 16

June 30

4 Bus Ticket

Ne’u-na to Xining (finished giving all the solar cookers and coming back to write the final report)

19 19

Total 66

Unit Price

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32

Best wishes to all,

I received 30 solar cookers for Ajiong Village. The local contribution was 300 rmb.

Canada Fund Solar Cooker Project 30 Solar Cookers for:

Ajiong Village Jioangri Township,

Banma County Golok Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture

Qinghai Province

September 15, 2003 Tess (Tseiranglamo)

Dear Canada Fund,

This project is really helpful. Our villagers live on a farm, and there are not many livestock. There are few trees, so we do not have enough fuel. The only way for us is to collect yak dung in a neighboring village. If it is raining or snowing then we just stay at home. So all of us are stressed out under this situation (fuel). Now because of your help, we do not have to collect fuel any more.

This project is important to Ajiong Village. Those solar cookers are a real convenience to peoples’ life. Thanks again to the Canada Fund.

Tess

Summary

My name is Tess. My Tibetan name is Tseiranglamo. I am from Ajiong Village, Jioangri

Township, Banma County, Golok Prefecture, Qinghai Province. My village is one of the poorest in my township. Rodents have everywhere spoiled the

grassland. Every year a lot of livestock die because there is no water to drink. Many people have moved to other places. It is terrible for the villagers who have to move.

Project Activities

Date Activities Participants 25/4 I gave the application to Dr. Kevin Tess, Dr. Kevin 20/6 I went to my village and families were chosen Tess 23/6 I received the local contribution Tess 3/7 I gave the village contribution to Dr. Kevin Tess, Dr. Kevin 3/9 I received the solar cookers and took them to the village and they

were installed

6/9 I asked villagers questions about the solar cookers

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33 Canada Fund Solar Cooker Project

14 Solar Cookers for: Ayangou Village

Tanshanling Township Tianzhu Tibetan Autonomous County

Gansu Province

September 12, 2003 Russell

Translation of the thanks letter

Dear Canada Fund, We are really glad to receive the Canada Fund supported 14 solar cookers. We have never

thought that we have such kind of luck. The solar cooker is really a helpful thing for our villagers: after we received it, we do not need to go far away to collect wood and dung every day, and the dark smoke can’t menace our health anymore.

We want to say, “ thanks a lot “ to the Canada Fund and the people who stand by this project. We shall never forget your favor; your favor is as great as a big mountain.

We wish your project would be successful forever. Best wishes,

All villagers

Summary:

I received 14 solar cookers for our village. There are 96 households of which 75% of them are herdsmen and 15% of them are farmers. Most have good conditions, so they can make money from their livestock and local products, but a few are poor, because they have few livestock. I gave the cookers to the poor households.

They told me they were very grateful for getting the solar cookers. Before, they had to go very far to collect wood and dung, and they had to buy coal. After they received the cookers, problems of fuel were mostly solved. If it is sunny, cooking food is no problem, and very fast. They use them to cook food, heat water, and also can roast sheep heads.

They’re really glad to get this help, and in their mind, they think the Canada Fund is so generous and so kind to the poor people, because they’ve never received this kind of help from the local government.

I chose the 14 poorest families and gave them the cookers. When I was doing this project, the biggest problem was finding details. Local contribution: 140 rmb-- each family contributed 10 rmb.

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Project Activities Date Activities Participants June 5th Meeting Mr. Kevin and the students who want to write

proposals June 6-16th

Looking for details The village head and some villagers

June 18th Gave the proposal to Mr. Kevin Mr. Kevin and me June 24th Talk about local contribution Fred and some students July 4th Gave the contribution Mr. Kevin and Fred July 24th Gave the solar cookers to the

villagers My father and the village head

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34 Canada Fund Solar Cooker Project

20 solar cookers for: Chagan Mongghul Village

Tiantang Township

This project provides much convenience for us, and it is as successful as you could have wanted. We have a lot of appreciation for your donation and we will keep this valuable friendship in the deepest part of our hearts.

Tianzhu Tibetan Autonomous County Gansu Province

September 10, 2003 Lionel (Songji Zhaxi)

Dear Canada Fund,

On behalf of the villagers, I thank you for what you have provided them. I want to tell you how the solar cookers work, and about the benefits to the villagers.

There are 20 families in Chagan Mongghul village now using Canada Fund assisted solar cookers. They are suitable for the environment there. After some days experience, we could easily imagine that fuel requirements would decrease almost by half. We needn’t spend so much time collecting fuel. Parents are delighted with the opportunities for their children to attend school, instead of spending time collecting fuel. The men do not need to do backbreaking work in the coal mines any more, and can stay at home more to help the women do farm work. That is what my mother wanted many years ago.

At the end, please receive our thankfulness again. Best withes

Lionel

Letter of Appreciation in Mongghul

Canada jijinhuira yiigu sge, Te sge sainisa? Budalsgela hudu nuqun tikii uladuge sauji. Ne gegardu dii sainha tikii moorgeda gua. Aadal

laanama juu neezhanggula ujegunu gua. Budalagenu tireegu ulasge shgangiila tashnu da xiruuna. uladire xijuusida yee ulon gua, tengesa dii shdaghuo juu hudu uquguan dangxi chenla xja. Dii kijiiduda uyasila baalu, qulghuo shdanii, saini guijinnu uyesi la shdasa aajigu tigii yunyigelia. Juu yaange shdasda zhuanmen nige kun heglegena, darong ghardu dundale yaange. Do saina, tesge budalsgedu ugosanu Taiyang Zao yesa, budalsge dii zaohuandu sawji zhuanmen shdagu mohggulegena. Tingera sainisa, budalsge juu Taiyang Zao dire qulghuo shda shdugena, han pujigda qina shdigena, han hudu sainijinnue, ne budalsge yanglesada tigee fuza gua. Nenge yaange do ayildugu kunsge yiguala kilena, “Taiyang Zao budalsgedu kilesa sainugula huguaiwa.”

Diree, bu pijig zangda muxiji guisandire, dii juresanu nigiiduda sainu guima, dii amasada nigewa--Budalsge tesgedu ganxielannii, nenu budalsgela hugugunge koresada lii mushda.

Dii budasge tasgedu saina mulongge yiina kiji molani. Jirashji (Tong Zhanhua)

2003fonnu 9ye 1udur

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Project location: chagan Mongghul Village, Tiantang Township, Tianzhu Tibetan Autonomous County, Gansu Province. Supervisor: Kevin Stuart, Fred Canada Fund donation: 20 solar cookers Local village contribution: 200 rmb Applicant: Lionel

Summary about the village: I am a Mongghul boy. My English name is Lionel, and Mongghul name is Songji Zhaxi. I am

17 years old, and I come from a remote village in Tiantang Township, Tianzhu Tibetan Autonomous County, Gansu Province.

My village is in an undeveloped area, where transport is poor. It has thick yellow soil, so the rough road changes rapidly during the summer. Everything must be moved with carts and tractors.

There isn’t any forest around our village. The nearest one is about six km distant, but cutting trees is not allowed there. We have little firewood, except branches cut from trees which we planted.

All of the people earn their living by farming, or doing backbreaking work in other places. Except for some mules, we don’t have livestock. The harvest is totally dependent on weather. There are no paddy fields. The main fuels in my village are coal and straw, and coal costs a lot. So the people work in the coal mine for months. At the end of the year they get some coal. The weather in our village is suitable for solar cookers because it is often sunny and very hot.

Each family’s annual income is about 1,000 rmb. After necessary expenses, it is about 400-500 rmb. Some families pay for school for two or three children with this.

Now, everything has changed because of your support. Based on these few days’ experience, we think we can save half of the fuel that we used before.

Project Activities Dates Activities Participants

April 25 Gave the application to Dr Kevin Lionel June 1 Got the agreement from Dr Kevin Lionel June 1 Telephoned my father to collect the local contribution Lionel, Ha Yinshan

I received the local contribution Lionel Jun. 5 I gave the contribution to Dr Kevin Lionel Aug. 14 Received the solar cookers Ha Shengku (Leader) Aug. 14 I went home from Xining Lionel Aug. 14 Held a meeting All the villagers Aug. 15 Installed the solar cookers Lionel and elders Aug. 28-29 The supervisors came to inspect Fred, Joseph Sep. 9 The final report is sent to Dr Kevin Lionel

Jun. 5

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The impacts from the solar cookers: When the villagers saw the solar cookers, they were cheerful and touched. Some of them said,

“Since we moved here, the government did not help us even once, but today one donor which has no connection with us is helping us. What can we say about that? We can’t forget this timely help.” Another said, “Having solar cooker is so nice. Before we received it, we need a special person to tend the fire, we couldn’t cook food easily, but now everything is changed, and it is also very convenient.”

During the sunny days, we can boil water, stew potatoes, heat food for livestock; We even can cook vegetables and other things on it. So we needn’t make fire to do these things, and we can easily economize a lot on fuel.

The difficulties that I’ve met during this time:

When I took the solar cookers to my village, all of my relatives and all the villagers asked me to give them one, but I only had 20 cookers.

In the end I asked all of my relatives to leave, because I had to be responsible. I explained to five other households why they didn’t get a solar cooker. At last, they halfheartedly agreed with me, but of course, I understand that everyone is selfish and they didn’t want to give the cookers to other families. It was hard work at that time.

The way that I chose the families that received the solar cookers: First I wrote the names of 22 poorer families from our village and took it to the elders and

asked if it is okay. In the end, elders from my village and I decided.

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35 Canada Fund Solar Cooker Project

01 September 2003

37 Solar Cookers for: Kajia Village

Maba Township Tongren County

Huangnan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture Qinghai Province

September 10, 2003 Gregory (Xierebjamsu)

Summary:

Maba Township is located in the east of Tongren County about 15 minutes driving from the town. Maba has more than ten villages and Kajia is considered to be the poorest. Kajia is home to 56 households but divided. One group of 37 households has already moved down. They now have irrigated fields, and live at the bottom of the mountain. The other 19 households are still living on the mountain. The way from the bottom to the top is very steep, so that no vehicles are able to go to the village. Even when people walk, it is very difficult, and one must be very careful.

The households at the bottom of the mountain have only a few fields, and no sources of money. They have to buy everything with wheat and barley. They can’t get any fuel from the forest nearby, so they only burn straw for cooking. Straw produces a lot of smoke, and takes a lot to cook a kettle of water. Villagers wanted to change this situation, but did not know how.

With Canada Fund’s support and local villagers’ contributions, each household received a solar cooker.

Appreciation Letter

Dear Canada Fund, This is my picture. My Tibetan name is Xierebjamsu. My English

name is Gregory. I am 19 years old, and from the village called Saji. At present, I am studying English at Qinghai Education College as a student of Dr. Kevin.

I think solar cookers are very useful for such an impoverished village as Kajia. They have just a little field, and from 1996, continuously have had droughts. They can ‘t get good harvest, or even much straw. Women and girls spend most of their time collecting dung and firewood. Many children are not sent to school because they are needed to herd livestock and collect fuel. Many young girls are kept at home to do housework, and have no chance to go school. Three years ago, they could get firewood from the local forest. These days it is forbidden. So villagers burn straw and yak dung for cooking. It is very smoky, and takes a long time to boil a kettle of water. Solar cookers can save a lot of women’s’ work. Villages also can

save the straw for livestock feed, and to heat sleeping platforms. The women and girls in households that have solar cookers do not have to work so hard. On behalf of all Kajia Villagers, I thank the Canada Fund for their support. Sincerely, Gregory (Xierebjamsu)

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Project Activities 2003, July 4

Solar cooker factory workers reached Kajia Tibetan Village with their truck, carrying 37 solar cookers.

My father, my brother (Sonam), my sister-in-law, and I took a taxi to Kajia to distribute the cookers. We met the factory truck at the road. When we reached there, the villagers were waiting for their solar cookers. Village youths and the truck driver unloaded the cookers, and one person printed the words, “Canada Fund Supported Project” on the backs of the solar cookers. My brother and I showed several village households how to operate them.

After distributing all the solar cookers with the help of the driver, who is leader of the factory, we went to one of the households for supper. When the village ladies and youths transported the solar cooker to their homes, they felt excited, telling each other how to use them, and which food can be cooked this way. Some villagers came to thank me. I said to them, “You should thank the Canada Fund.” I told them what the Canada Fund was doing. Many villagers were impressed by how NGOs do their work.

These factory workers were very hungry. They said they should drive back to the factory after supper, because they would have to deliver another student’s solar cookers. After eating, they drove back. My father, brother, and I stayed at the home a bit longer, and explained the process of the project.

When we gave solar cookers to the households, all the recipient families signed a paper to certify they had received a solar cooker.

Villagers’ Reaction

The week after giving the solar cookers, my father and three of my brothers went to the village again for a picnic, and paid a monitoring visit to a couple of households. All the villagers welcomed us. The leader of the village, Stondris, told us how they used the solar cookers, and why they were useful. They were impressed by the solar cooker’s power and saving of time. During the picnic, I chatted with the elders and heard many positive comments about them: • A large kettle of water can be boiled in 16 minutes • Villagers burn much less firewood and straw than before • With a solar cooker, the straw can be fed to livestock or heat sleeping platforms (kang) • Food, such as potatoes, bread, and meat, can be cooked in more hygienic way. • The burden on women to collect organic fuels is generally decreased.

From an old lady called Niangmojia, I heard, “These days, son and his wife and children are going to harvest and plow. I just stay at home and boil water. I also can cook potatoes on it. At lunchtime, a grandson comes to get their lunch. These days, they take two thermoses of water, and cooked potatoes. My son’s wife doesn’t have to come to make lunch for them. This is very useful.”

Mr. Shabojia said, “I am 78 years old. In my whole life, I have never seen a machine like this. Before now, I did all the cooking at home, and sometimes I had to go to get water. Now, I just sit with the solar cooker. My job is to change the water every 15 minutes and refill the kettle.”

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2. List of the receipts

124 124

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36 Canada Fund Solar Cooker Project

25 Solar Cookers for: Heimajuanhe Village Sonshan Township

Tianzhu Tibetan Autonomous County Gansu Province

September 14, 2003 Sabrina

Translation of the appreciation letter

Best wishes,

Sabrina

Dear Canada Fund,

With your support and help, we Heimajuanhe villagers received 25 solar cookers. On behalf of all the villagers, I say thanks to the Canada Fund.

Our village is located at the side of the town. It consists of farmers and nomads. Much of our life used to be based on wood for cooking and living. But now, development of the town has become the main purpose of the government. They made a law and banned people to cut the wood for the “Protection of environment”. It influenced our life directly; surely it made the villagers life worse and put our life in danger. Fortunately, we received the solar cookers with your help. We gave these to the old people who have no children to take care of them and also the people who got a difficult life condition.

Honestly, we have never expected and visualized that we will get these, it just like a dream. Really we do not know how to express our feeling, the only words we could say is thank you from bottom of our hearts.

Finally, thank again for your help.

All Heimajuanhe villagers (Wang Xiping)

Dear Canada Fund, I really do not know what I should say to you, because you gave us such a distinguished

contribution. Before you supplied the solar cookers to us, we spent plenty of time and money to make fire for cooking. That time in my village many children couldn’t be educated, because they lack money. This semester those children can go back to the school, so they said enthusiastically, ‘‘Canada Fund is our friend, we’ll strive for the development of our nation with their support.” Let’s wait for their wonderful future. We’ll see the result just like a piece of precious gold.

Some of my villagers received the contribution, but others didn’t receive it. Although they were unlucky, they said thanks to you. They said, “Canada Fund has given things to others without money, that is really great. We should always remember that. Actually we have learned a lot of marvelous things from this project.”

Best wishes,

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Project location: Heimajuanhe Village, Sunshan Township, Tianzhu Tibetan Autonomous County, Gansu Province The local contribution: 250 rmb in total, 10 rmb for per solar cooker Canada Fund donation: 25 Solar Cookers The way to get fuel before they had solar cookers:

They went to mountains to get yak dung and firewood, but at present, it has changed, the government is controlling deforestation, so the villagers use more and more coal. On the other hand, the coalmine is very far from the village, and they got coal in a very difficult way. How have solar cookers helped the villagers?

The solar cookers have helped them to save fuel and a lot of money. This time they just spend a little time to make fire. Most importantly, the boys who skipped from school can go back. Actually, solar cookers are good for development of the village.

The contribution of solar cookers:

People use solar cookers to boil water and cook food. Besides, it also can be used for heating food for the livestock and it also can protect the environment because now people do not use that much coal any more. The method of choosing the families that received the solar cookers: Choosing the families that received the solar cookers was really difficult for me, because the solar cookers were not enough. Therefore, I chose the families who are very poor or the families who have people who cannot work. The difficulties that I’ve met:

When I told my villagers that Canada Fund would help us with solar cookers, and then all of the villagers wanted the special things, of course they will not let the meat fly away in front of their eyes, but I haven’t received enough solar cookers for all of them, so at that time I had to figure out the problem, that meant I spent a lot of time to solve the problem. Finally I had a method, but some selfish villagers did not accept it happily.

Project Activities: Dates Activities Participants

April 25 I gave the application to Dr. Kevin. Sabrina June 1 I received the agreement from Dr. Kevin Sabrina June 1 Telephoned my uncle to collect the local contribution Sabrina, Wang Xiping

Sabrina July 4 I gave the local contribution to Fred Sabrina, Fred September 8 Solar cookers were arrived to my village Sabrina September 9 Divided the solar cookers to my villagers Wang Xiping September 12 Held the last meeting All the students who did

this project September 14 I received the thanks letter of the villagers Sabrina September 15 I gave the final report to Fred Sabrina

June 4 I received the local contribution

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37 Canada Fund Solar Cooker Project

Ten Solar Cookers for:

Qinghai Province

Best wishes,

Jima Jiacan Private School Raja Township Maqin County

Golok Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture

September 16, 2003 Osi Nima (Clifford)

Dear Canada Fund,

On 29th the solar cookers that your Fund gave us were received by Juime Jiancan Private School. The teachers and students from this school thank you from the bottom of their heart.

The school is near Rajia Township far from Golok Prefecture. The firewood is the biggest problem for them .The students from this school spent so much time to collect firewood instead of studying. The help from you, Canada Fund, handled the problem of firewood and saved much time for them.

This is just like giving food for hungry people. I helped my mother school as hard as I could, so now I can’t help feeling happy from my heart.

I hope your Fund can do everything as you thought to help my mother school again.

Clifford

Project Activities Date Activities Participants 6/5 I gave the application to Dr Kevin Clifford 8/5 I met Fred and discuss Clifford and Fred 20/6 I called the school to collect contribution Clifford and school leader 26/6 I received the contribution Clifford 2/7 I gave the money to Dr Kevin Clifford and Dr. Kevin 15/7 I called Fred in Golok Clifford and Fred 25/7 I went to school arranged the solar cookers for the students Clifford 29/7 I received the solar cookers Clifford 31/7 I asked teachers and students how the solar cookers work Clifford and some teachers 15/9 The final report was sent to Dr Kevin Clifford and Dr Kevin

I received ten solar cookers for Jima Jiacan Private School. The local contribution, each household contributed 10 rmb, is 100 rmb in total.

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38 Canada Fund Solar Cooker Project

30 Solar Cookers for: Zhimai Village

Shaliuhe Township Gangca County

Haibei Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture Qinghai Province

September 15, 2003 Joline

Appreciation Letter from Zhaimai Village

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Translation Dear Canada Fund,

How can we ever thank you for your help! Because of our knowledge is too limited that we cannot use good words to express our true feeling. We just use simple words to write this letter to say “thank you” from the bottom of our hearts. Please forgive our weakness and accept our pure words: Thank you very much!

Under your help, we got rid of a part of our life difficulties. It is a very good helper of us, especially for women. It is not only save our service charge to decrease family burden. Also decrease women’s work. Now, 30 families received solar cookers from your organization and they are using them. It is very useful. We can cook meal, boil water, even cooking meat with it. During the hot days, it just needs about 18 minutes to boil a kettle of water, and usually it needs about 18 to 20 minutes. Anyway, it is much more convenient and useful than stoves. So thanks again for you help! Yours truly, Zhimai Villagers

Summary: I found the notification that Canada Fund share a mount of money and do solar cooker project

to help poor families. Actually, I have desired for long time to do this kind of good things to my village. As soon as I heard the news about Canada Fund solar cooker project I wrote proposal for a total of 70 families and gave to Mr. Kevin. After that I had a meetings with Mr. Kevin to fill an application form.

Zhimer Village received 30 solar cookers valued at 4,800 rmb, from the Canada Fund. I went to Zhimer Village and held a meeting with the village leaders, Qietuojia and Garda, and some old villagers. On the meeting, we discussed about who will get the Canada Fund supported solar cookers. As a result, 30 impoverished families were chosen and 300 rmb was collected from these 30 families as a local contribution.

Now those 30 families received solar cookers and we have been using them for almost three months. According to three months’ use, we found that the solar cooker is not only very useful, but it also makes our lives easier in many ways. Before this project, in my village more than 70 families faced a lack of fuel and each family had to spend about 900 rmb on fuel every year. But most of our families had many difficulties to afford it. So we had to spend time to go far away to collect yak dung, stick for fuel. Mostly women do this. Men had to go outside to earn money by working in restaurants, building road and herding others’ livestock. Especially, in summer, most people from those impoverished families in my village herd some well-off families livestock. Sometimes, children and old men go to collect burned coal and plastic from garbage near the village. We had to go for fuel in every few days and dropout our kid, especially girls from school due to this. Now, this project solved 30 families’ problems and made a change in their lives.

As the villagers say, “It is really a good helper of us, specially of women.” “It is a magic stove! It can make tea, cook meat without any fuel.” “It is really strange, on sunny days, it can boil a kettle of tea in few minutes. You can’t imagine.” “I guess, it will save third of the money we used to spend on fuel every year.” Now we received 30 the Canada Fund supported solar cookers and do not need to collect as much fuel as we used to in the past. It gave us some free time to do other things, especially for women and children.

Two unexpected things happened after the solar cooker project. A man named Saila, who worked with his wife in a restaurant in summer, lent his solar cooker to a Chinese family because his family doesn’t have a strong safe yard to keep it. Garda and Qietuojia, two village leaders collected 10 rmb more to thank the ones who they helped this project. Because of this I went there again, but Qietuojia had already left for Qilian County and I heard that he wouldn’t be back for several years.

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No one knows why he left and no one knows whether the additional 300 rmb was spent or not. I cannot believe it. It’s embarrassing to tell you this, but this is the fact and I should tell the truth. Actually, I did my best, but… I really feel guilty about this.

Project Activities

Date Activity ParticipantsApril 20 First proposal was given to Mr. Kevin Stuart Joline May 15 Held a meeting with Kevin to fill another proposal form. Joline

May Gave the second proposal to Mr. Kevin Stuart. Joline June Had a meeting with Fred. Joline

July 4 Villagers held a meeting and chose the most impoverished families

Villagers& Joline

July 5 Gave the local contribution to Mr. Kevin Stuart. Joline July 10 30 solar cookers were delivered to Zhimei Village Joline

September 29 Visited the village again Joline October1-3 Visited each household and all recipients signed the list Joline

Recipients

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I received 30 solar cookers for Zhimai Village. Local contribution = Each household contributed 10 rmb for a total of 300 rmb.

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39 Canada Fund Solar Cooker Project

25 Solar Cookers for: Wechui Village Teigai Township Gonghe County

Jone, village leader; Lanzhejia a villager and university student in Xining. Gonchuk Dongzhi, university student in Xining. Kevin Stuart, English Teacher in Qinghai Normal University, Xining.

Hainan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture Qinghai Province

August 28, 2003 Jerry (Lanzhoujia)

September 3, 2003 Dear Canada Fund,

We are pleased to report to the Canada Fund on the very satisfactory completion of this solar cooker project. This project obviously benefited the 25 impoverished Tibetan households. This project was undertaken among Tibetan households in Wechui Village, Teigai Township, Gonghe County, Hainan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Qinghai Province.

Before this project was set up, local people burned wood, dung, hay, grass, bush roots and coal, but mostly all the people were burning hay, which is also used to feed livestock. If we burn hay, this means one needs to sit near the fire to add hay into the fireplace.

So this was really difficult. In this case it needed more labor. This takes one’s time and the women cannot do anything while she was making the fire. Especially during the hot summer time it is so hard to sit next to the fire in the smoky kitchen about more than one hour to boil water. The other big problem is Households need to take more time to collect fuel such as cut tree branches, dig some plants roots, and collect dung on the grassland. For this case also many families kept their children at home to collect fuel and to do housework because they do not have any more labors to do it. Some times households do not have enough straw for both fuel and feed livestock. Then the local people need to dig plants roots and cut trees, this will create a desert and will make the people poorer and poorer.

However, with the Canada Fund’s support this hard situation has now changed, thanks to the Canada Fund supported household-based solar cooker project. Households do not need to collect more fuel and this reduced the labor of families. Many children can go school and soil erosion is limited. Water can be boiled easily and conveniently and more straw will be saved to feed livestock. This has greatly helped females. Their life has progressed one step.

On behalf of all the villagers who received solar cookers supported by Canada Fund, we extend sincere appreciation.

Yours truly, Lanzhoujia

1. Project name: Wechui Village, Teigai Township Solar Cooker Project. 2. Project period: August 23, 2003- August 25,2003. 3. Project Site: Huluo-Si Village, Teigai Township, Gonghe County, Hainan Tibetan Autonomous

Prefecture, Qinghai Province. 4. Responsible persons:

5. Supervisors: Kevin Stuart

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6. The Canada Fund contribution: 3,750 rmb; local villagers’ contribution=500 rmb 7. Local villagers’ contribution: 500 rmb 8. Total cost of the project: 4,250 rmb 9. Aims: To purchase 25 solar cookers for the impoverished households that would increase income

and reduce household females’ work. Solve the problem of fuel. Children can enter school. Can feed more straw to livestock.

10. Project Implementation Record

2003 Accomplishments Participants April First proposal give to Kevin Stuart Lanzhejia (Jerry) May Have meeting with Kevin Stuart to fill another proposal

form. Jerry, Frank, Justin, Alton, Ian, etc.

May Give second proposal to Kevin Stuart Jerry, Frank, Justin, Alton, Ian, etc.

June 18 Have meeting with Gonchuk Dongzhi and sign a paper Jerry, Frank, Justin, Ian, etc.

July 22 Contact the Solar cooker company Frank & Gonchuk Dongzhi

July 23 Deliver the solar cookers from the company to Xining Two drivers July 24 Deliver the solar cookers from Xining to project site,

Wechui Village, Gonghe County, Hainan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture.

Two drivers

July 25 Village Leaders had a meeting to discuss and choose the 25 households that should receive the solar cookers.

Village leaders

July 26 In the morning informed the villagers about this project, who supported. Then let each household who has been chosen take a solar cooker and sign their names.

Jone (responsible for this project and the village leader)

July 26 In the afternoon go to all households one by one and take pictures and teach them how to use it.

Jone and other two leaders

Receipts No Date Item Quantity Amount 1 June 24,2003 Solar cooker 33*150 rmb 4,950 rmb

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Photographs

After the villagers received the solar cooker they help each other install solar cookers very carefully.

After they finish installing the solar cooker they immediately try to boil a pot of hot water, and clap their hands to thank the Canada Fund for its help.

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All family members are delighted that they received a solar cooker and stand around the solar cooker looking at the boiling pot of water and say thanks for the Canada Fund’s support.

The daughter is cooking lunch on the solar cooker and her father is glad that his daughter doesn’t need to sit near the fire during the hot daytime anymore.

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This old lady is pouring boiled water from the teapot to the thermos happily. She also said from now

on the women can boil water and they do not need to make a fire in the hot daytime.

This woman is adding oil to the hot pot on the solar cooker to cook lunch.

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40 Canada Fund Solar Cooker Project

Tsehang Suonan

33 Solar Cookers for: Lagan Village

Teigai Township Gonghe County

Hainan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture Qinghai Province

August 27, 2003 Frank (Tsehang Suonan)

Letter of Appreciation

June 30, 2003

Dear Canada Fund, We are pleased to report to the Canada Fund on the very satisfactory completion of this solar

cooker project. This project obviously benefited the 31 impoverished Tibetan households. This project was undertaken among Tibetan households in Lagan Village, Teigai Township, Gonghe County, Hainan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Qinghai Province.

Before this project set up, local people burn wood, dung, hay, grass, bush roots and coal, but mostly all the people were burning hay. This was really so difficult because one need to sit near the fire to add hay all the time and this take one’s time and that one cannot do anything while one was making fire. Especially during the hot summer time it is so hard for one to sit next to the fire in the smoky kitchen about more than one hour to boil water. Households need to take more time to collect fuel such as cut tree branches, dig some plants roots, and collect dung on the grassland. For this case many families kept their children at home to collect fuel and to do housework. Also, in the dry and poor harvest time households do not have enough straw for both fuel and to feed livestock. Then the local people need to dig plants roots and cut trees, and this caused more and more problems.

This hard situation has now changed, thanks to the Canada Fund supported household-based solar cooker project. Households do not need to collect more fuel and reduced the labor of families. Many children can go school. This has greatly helped females. The solar cookers mean that more straw will be saved and fed to livestock.

On behalf of all the villagers who received solar cookers supported by Canada Fund, we extend sincere appreciation.

Yours truly,

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1. Project name: Lagan Tibetan Natural Village, Teigai Township Solar Cooker Project 2. Project period: June 25, 2003- June 27,2003 3. Project Site: Lagan Tibetan Natural Village, Teigai Township, Gonghe County, Hainan Tibetan

Autonomous Prefecture, Qinghai Province. 4. Responsible persons: Donzhi Jia, village leader Tsehang Suonan, village resident, university student in Xining Gonchuk Dongzhi, university student in Xining Kevin Stuart, English Teacher Qinghai Normal University, Xining.

5. Supervisors: Kevin Stuart 6. The Canada Fund contribution: 4,500 rmb 7. Local villagers’ contribution: 465 rmb 8. Total cost of the project: 4,965 rmb 9. Aims: To purchase 33 solar cookers for the impoverished households that would increase income

and reduce household females’ work. Solve the problem of fuel. Children can enter school.

10. Project Implementation Record

Time Party April 20, 2003

First proposal give to Kevin Stuart Tsehang Suonan (Frank)

May Have meeting with Kevin Stuart to fill another proposal form. Frank, Justin, Jerry, Alton, Ian, etc.

May Give second proposal to Kevin Stuart Frank, Justin, Jerry, Alton, Ian, etc.

June 22 Contact with the solar cooker company Frank and Fred June 24 Deliver the solar cookers from the company to Xining June 25 Deliver the solar cookers from Xining to project site Frank, one company

person and driver June 25 At night had a meeting with the villager leaders and some old

people to discuss and choose the households which should receive the solar cookers.

Frank, Dongzhijia, and some villagers

June 26 In the morning informed the villagers about this project, who supported. Then let each household who has been chosen take a solar cooker. In the afternoon check all households one by one and take pictures and teach them how to use it.

Dongzhijia, Frank and one villager who know how to use the solar cooker.

August 27,2003

Write final report Frank

Accomplishments

Receipts

No Date Item Quantity Amount1 June 22,2003 Solar cooker 30*150 rmb 4,500 rmb

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41 Canada Fund Solar Cooker Project

30 Solar Cookers for: Jiawu Jiangri Village

Jiawu Township Tongren County

Huangnan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture Qinghai Province

September 15, 2003 Charlotte Pedersen

The villagers of Jiawu Jiangri wish to thank the Canada Fund for their generous help in

purchasing 30 solar cookers for their village. In this remote area of the former Tibetan region of Amdo, the Tibetan people struggle to

gather dung and wood for fuel for heating and cooking. Their environment is becoming increasingly denuded and the people are caught in a vicious cycle of poverty. The use of solar cookers as a partial substitute for dung and wood can help to alleviate this cycle; for this reason the Canada Fund’s contribution is greatly appreciated.

Activity Breakdown:

April: The villagers held a meeting to discuss the solar cooker project and the local

contribution. 60 solar cookers were requested and 1200 rmb was collected – each household contributing 20 rmb. Kabin Jah (village chief) did the background research and Lhama Tsering (Teachers’ School student) helped write the proposal for Kevin Stuart.

May: Money from the Canada Fund was allocated for 30 solar cookers for Jiawu Jiang Ri and the solar cookers were ordered.

June: On June 18th 2003, the solar cooker factory delivered 30 solar cookers to the village. The road into the village is in such a bad condition that it partially collapsed under the weight of the truck. Fortunately the villagers were near at hand and the truck was quickly unloaded and the road built up with rocks. The solar cookers were laid in the barley field until the next day when they were carried into the village. Kabin Jah supervised the delivery and stenciling of ‘Donated by the Canada Fund’ written in Tibetan on the back of each solar cooker. A list of names of beneficiaries with fingerprints was given to me (Charlotte Pedersen.)

Evaluation: I have visited the village twice since the solar cookers were installed. The first visit was at the

beginning of summer and many households were camping out on the grasslands with their livestock. Every household with a solar cooker showed great pleasure and appreciation in informal interviews with the villagers. I saw kettles on the boil but was not able to question anyone in detail at that point about how much difference the solar cookers had made in their lives in terms of time and energy. The children were on holiday from school.

Nevertheless the villagers held a reception for me in one of the houses and apart from thanking the Canada Fund, Kevin Stuart and me for our efforts, they appealed for the additional 30 cookers for the households who had not received cookers with Canada Fund money. There was a sense that despite the fair way the cookers had been distributed, some villagers felt they had been overlooked and hard done by. Their 20 rmb contributions had been returned in June.

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My second visit was on 15th September when the additional 30 cookers funded by Nigel Woodhouse in the United Kingdom, were delivered. The villagers were still very busy with the harvest and the sunny days have made it possible for the solar cookers to be put to good use; it is clearly a labor saver. Kuantage, a woman in her sixties told me she used the solar cooker to boil milk and potatoes as well as water.

BACKGROUND LOCATION: Jiawu Jiang Ri village is home to approximately 60 households and 420

people. All residents are Tibetan. The village is located on the side of a mountain above a river valley and surrounded by

mountains. It is the second last village along the track road going south before reaching large herding areas. Villagers live in adobe-wood rooms constructed around a central rectangular-shaped open courtyard. At least two of the rooms are used as stables or storerooms. There is a small Buddhist temple that has recently been repaired by the villagers. Transportation is on foot, by motorbike or mule. There are no cars or trucks in the village and the road leading into the village is little more than a track. There is no school, shop or health clinic. FUEL: The villagers of Jiawu Jiang Ri Village rely almost solely on yak dung and wood for fuel. Although electricity has recently been installed in the village, it is expensive, costing about 10 rmb a month to run two lights. Not all the households have plugs. Coal is too expensive to buy and transport to the village. The villagers contributed 600 rmb in total towards the 30 solar cookers (calculated as a 20 rmb contribution per household). This is a considerable contribution given the economic poverty of the village (see Village Income below).

AGRICULTURE. The village has about 1000 mu of un-irrigated land. The main crop of wheat and barley is used for subsistence and none is sold. Other crops include rape and potatoes. The average yield of this land is 100 kg/mu. There is no irrigation. The farmers rely only on rainfall in summer and melted snow in winter. Water is carried from the river in the valley below or from a spring about 20 minutes’ walk further up the mountain. In winter this spring is frozen. Much of the agricultural work is the duty of women. In addition to farming, each household has livestock. In total, the village has: 60 yaks, 3000 sheep, 33 mules, 15 cows

HERDING. Villagers take turns to herd the yaks and cows in mountain area surrounding the village. The shepherds are in the same area with their sheep. In the summer month of July the villagers go to the grasslands, which have been designated for their village. To reach these areas from the village requires three hours on foot.

VILLAGE INCOME. Average village cash income is approximately 300 rmb/person/year (2000 rmb a year per household). People earn cash by selling butter, yak hair and livestock, collecting caterpillar fungus (a medicinal herb) and (young men) working outside the area doing roadwork. Despite these outside sources of income, several households in the village do not have an adequate supply of food during the year. From 2004 there will also be restrictions on digging for the caterpillar fungus. This will be crippling for this village as well as the thousands of other Tibetans who rely on the income from selling the caterpillar fungus.

EDUCATION. There is no village school and the nearest primary school (six grades) is in the neighbouring village seven kms away. It takes about 30 minutes to walk along the footpaths. The village has about 60 children between the ages of 7 and 13 (35 boys and 25 girls). 30 children attend school. The girls are usually the ones who need to help their mothers draw water, collect dung and keep the household going and they are more likely to be out of school than the boys. Primary school fees are between 25 –30 rmb a term.

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Contact Information: On behalf of Kabin Jah, Village leader of Jiawu Jiang Ri Village, Charlotte Pedersen MA. English teacher Huangnan Minorities Teachers’ School

Tongren County, Huangnan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture Qinghai Province 811300 PR China

E-mail: jyekuteach@yahoo.com Telephone: 973 8795877 (h) Charlotte Pedersen has worked as a voluntary English teacher at the ROKPA charity orphanage and Tibetan Medicine College at Yushu, Yushu Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Qinghai Province (1999). She is currently working as a volunteer with the Voluntary Service Overseas (VSO) UK on a two-year contract at the Huangnan Minorities Teachers’ School. With thanks and appreciation. Signed: Dated: 15 September 2003

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Part Three: Tibet-Sichuan-Qinghai Border Region Project

Project Summary: Snowland Service Group (SSG) received 70,000 rmb from Dr. Kevin Stuart, donated by the

Canada Fund, which enabled SSG to purchase and distribute 360 solar cookers to seven locations in Sichuan, Qinghai, and the Tibetan Autonomous Region. Name of the Project: Canada Fund Supported Solar Cooker Project Implementation time: July through August 2003 Project background:

Traditionally, Tibetan residents in the Mekong, Yangtze, and Yellow river valleys gathered firewood from forests for fuel. However, since 1998, the nature preservation policy enforced by the central government prohibits commercial firewood collection and logging. Although this is environmentally sound, it has created severe hardship on local households due to insufficient fuel. The other possible forms of fuel are yak dung and coal, but unfortunately these are too scarce or too expensive to obtain.

With the lack of available fuel, solar cookers can fill several of the necessary functions of fuel. For example, without the use of fire, solar cookers are ideal for boiling water and cooking.

Solar cookers are beneficial in that they not only conserve nature by reducing the consumption of firewood, but they also allow yak dung to remain on the grasslands, which aids in fertilizing the land. Yak dung collection rapidly accelerates the deterioration of the grasslands. If approximately 5,000 bags of yak dung are burned daily in Jiegu Town, the capital of the prefecture, this would increasingly affect a large amounts of land. 5,000 bags of yak dung could fertilize 500 mu of land. Although the prefecture government has suggested the policy of ‘Leaving the yak dung on the grassland’, this is unreasonable because the government has not provided other fuel alternatives, and there are no other means of natural fuel resources available to the people.

Firewood collection can have extreme environment consequences. For example, Traleb Village has 61households, and each of these 61 households consumes five kilograms of wood daily (61 households x 5 kg =305 kg). There are at least 24 villages with the same rate of consumption as Traleb Village in Yushu Prefecture. Daily firewood consumption for 24 villages would devour 90 mu of shrub areas. Furthermore, once the wood has been chopped down, that wood is lost for several generations, for the rate of regrowth is slow on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau. One of the most common sources of fuel is the juniper tree, which requires 100 years to grow to maturity. The current rate of destruction is unsustainable.

The villages the project will affect: Qinghai

• Traleb Village, Pathang Township, Yushu County • Rawuphu Village, Jyekundo, Yushu County

Dodo Primary School, Surmang Township, Yushu County • • Trege and Bege Villages in Triwang Township, Trindu County

Sichuan Loshul District, Sershul County, Ganzi Prefecture •

Tibetan Autonomous Region • Meda Township, Sumda District, Chabmdo Prefecture

Total budget: 70,000 rmb

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Beneficiaries:

Village County Prefecture Province/Autonomous Region

Number of Solar Cookers

Traleb Trindu Yushu Qinghai 74 10

Rawuphu Yushu Yushu Qinghai 200 27

Dodo Yushu Yushu Qinghai 30 2

Tregu & Begu

Trindu Yushu Qinghai 389 41

Labna Trindu Yushu Qinghai 168 59

Loshul Sershul Ganzi Sichuan 350 60

Menda Sumda Chabmdo TAR 756 161

Total 1,799 360

Population

Implementation: Snowland Service Group

Project Monitor: Kunchok Gelek, Rinchen Dawa, Jinpa, Lozang Dondrub, Gasuo Danzhou, Zhaga, and Chuang.

Objectives: • Nature preservation • Alleviation of poverty • Popularization of the use of solar cookers • Introduction of new environmentally friendly technologies to Tibetan villages

Impact:

• The project’s success has prompted a positive change in 400 village families’ normal lives. During optimum times (sunniest parts of the day) a large kettle of water can be brought to a boil in 10-15 minutes. During summer, when the solar cooker operates at peak efficiency, it is equivalent to 120 kg of coal / month. This also means that the people will be saving more than 30 rmb a month just by using the solar cookers rather than coal (if they used coal and/or were able to afford it). In addition, the solar cooker can be used effectively for at least eight months out of the year, thus saving a total of 240 rmb annually. This savings of one year surpasses the cost of the cooker.

• The positive impact on the environment is great.

Project Activities

Time Activities Qty Responsible person

Title

July 15 to August 10 Solar cookers transported from Xining to Jyekundo

Rinchen Dawa

Director

August 13 Solar cookers delivered to Labnda Village 59 Lozang Dondrub

Secretary

August 13 Solar cookers delivered to Rawuphu Village 27 Jinpa Office Director

August 13 Solar cookers delivered to Traleb Village 10 Chonam Project Officer

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August 19 Solar cookers delivered to Tregu Village 30 Rinchen Dawa

Director

Solar cookers delivered to Begu Village 11 Rinchen Dawa

Director

August 17 to August 20

Solar cookers delivered to Loshul Village 60 Traga Project Officer

August 17 to August 20

Solar cookers delivered to Menda Township 161 Karzang Dondrub

Secretary

August 17 to August 18

Solar cookers delivered to Dodo School 2 Padma Project Officer

August 19

Beneficiary Interviews

Qinghai My name is Baong and I am a single woman without children. During the winter, in the

mornings, I would wake up before daybreak and accompany my neighbors to the local mountain to collect yak dung. By early afternoon we would return home with a full bag of yak dung. But unfortunately, a full of bag of dung is only enough to last through two days, after which I would have to collect dung again. After I received the solar cooker, villagers said that we should cook rice with sugar the first time we used the solar cooker to better ensure auspiciousness. I cooked rice, but I did not have sugar, so I put vegetables into the pot instead. Tibetan Autonomous Region

I am a 40-year-old woman responsible for seven other people in my family and six head of livestock. Seven years ago my husband passed away, leaving me with our six children and my mother. To support my family, I must constantly work. The problem was that fuel collecting required a large amount of my time to be spent in the mountains and forests collecting dung and wood. But now that I have a solar cooker, I am able to save a lot of time that can now be spent on other work, such as herding livestock or knitting sweaters. I do not know what environment protection is, but I know that wood has become increasingly scarce. I am sure that one day the forest will disappear.

I am a 50-year-old nun without a family. Apart from practicing religion, begging for food and

collecting fuel are my other two major activities. Because I am getting old, I cannot collect as much fuel as I used to. Therefore I had to sparingly use the fuel I could attain. I didn’t even use the fuel for heating. Now, with the solar cooker, I do not need to worry anymore about fuel because the sunlight is endless and it seems that my fuel is endless as well. Thank you. Sichuan

My name is Karji and I am a 49-year-old man with nine other people in my family. With so many people, I frequently am overloaded with work I must do alone, for my wife often is sick in bed and my children are too young to help me. Therefore, I have to collect fuel by myself. I used to cut wood in the forest, but several years ago the local government banned deforestation. Without wood, obtaining fuel was a serious proble, especially since we did not have many livestock and the nearest pastureland is located 50 km. from our village. That meant that during the cold winters I could not find adequate fuel for cooking or heating for my home. The solar cooker solved a major problem in my life, so now I am not so reliant upon fuel. I can even boil a kettle of water in just 15 minutes. The solar cooker has saved me the use of a lot of fuel.

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My name is Kunzang Dorje, and for me the most difficult thing is collecting fuel. I think it is unfair because I have seen nicely piled yak dung in some rich villagers’ homes only for decoration. Several rich households can afford coal from Xining, or a truckload of yak dung from the nomad pastureland. But for the average villager such as myself, we cannot afford to buy coal and yak dung. I had never known before that sunlight could boil water. It is really great.

SSG project officer

SSG hired two trucks and loaded them with solar cookers. The road was extremely bad; the surface was full of potholes. Sometimes, the road was so narrow that if two trucks encountered each other on the road it made it impossible for either one to get past. Moreover, the truck repeatedly got stuck in the mud. During the course of the three days, we had to load and unload the solar cookers from the truck eight times. These were all unexpected difficulties. During one episode, we managed to get stuck in the middle of a gushing river, for which we had to unload all the solar cookers one by one onto the other bank. Although the solar

cookers were saved, the truck remained in the water until next morning. By the time we arrived, the local people were expecting that our arrival, as Mr. Jambu Dorje,

the local lama, had prepared a list of the name of recipients beforehand. According to the list, we distributed the solar cookers to individual families based on a fair lottery.

I gave a demonstration with the solar cookers, and the people were astonished by the fact that solar light has the capacity to cook. The people excitedly carried their new solar cookers to their homes.

While I was transporting the solar cookers, I observed how the environment had been destroyed in this region. There are so many clear-cut sites due to the over collection of fuel. Local people told me that they were aware of the mass destruction of nature, but as they had no alternatives they continued. I explained to the people how the solar cookers have the capacity to protect the environment and to reduce labor involved in fuel collection.

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Table 1. Receipts

Date Description Unit Qty Unit Price Cost

07/28/03 Fiberglass solar cookers 60.00 150.00 9,000.0008/09/03 Metal-base solar cookers 100.00 226.50 22,650.0008/09/03 Fiber glass solar cookers 150.00 130.00 19,500.0008/09/03 Fiber glass solar cookers 50.00 105.00 5,250.0008/13/03 Transportation from Xining - Jyekundo Ton 18.00 230.00 4,140.0008/18/03 Transportation from Xining - Jyekundo Ton 15.65 230.00 3,600.0008/20/03 Transportation from Jyekundo to Tregu villages 440.0008/13/03 Transportation from Jyekundo to Loshul Village 1,000.0008/14/03 Transportation from Jyekundo to Rawupu Village 150.0008/16/03 Transpiration from Jyekundo to Traleb Village 300.0008/16/03 Transportation from Jyekundo to Lamda Village 700.0008/19/03 Transportation from Jyekundo to Dodo School 40.00

07/13/03 Expenses for purchasing solar cookers (450 around trip from Yushu and 260 in Xining) 710.00

07/16/03 Solar cookers loading fee in Xining Ton 18.00 10.00 180.0008/11/03 Solar cookers unloading fee in Jyekundo Ton 18.00 10.00 180.00

Transportation from Jyekundo to Manda Village 1,010.0008/20/03 Expenses while transporting to Pegu Village 100.00

08/17/03 Expenses and return fee for SSG program officer from Loshul Village 440.00

08/14/03 Expenses: sending solar cooker to Rawupu Village 50.00

08/14/03 Expenses while transporting solar cookers to Lamda Village 200.00

08/16/03 Expenses during transporting solar cookers to Traleb Village 80.00

08/18/03 Solar cooker loading fee for Manda Village in Jyekundo 81.00

08/15/03 Solar cooker loading fee for Pegu and Tregu Villages in Jyekundo 20.00

08/13/03 Solar cooker loading fee for Loshul Village in Jyekundo 30.00

08/13/03 Solar cooker loading fee for Rawupu Village in Jyekundo 14.00

08/15/03 Solar cooker loading fee for Traleb Village 5.0008/14/03 Solar cooker loading fee for Lamda Village 29.00

Total 69,899.00 Balance 101.005

08/25/03

5 Although there are no receipts to document this, SSG spent far more than 101 rmb on such expenses as related phone calls, vehicle expenses for monitoring visits, photographs, etc.

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Photographs

Figure 1: Solar cookers arrived in Menda Township, Chamdo County, Chamdo District, Tibet.

Figure 2: Local people are curious about a new thing

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Figure 3: An aged man in Tibet is pleased with his Canada Fund sponsored solar cooker .

sFigure 4: Local people in Tibet meet and discuss how to distribute Canada Fund sponsored solar cookers.

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Figure 5: Canada Fund sponsored solar cookers in Tibet prior to distribution.

Figure 6: Installing Canada Fund solar cookers in Tibet.

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Figure : Tibetan children in the Tibet Autonomous Region pose in front of a Canada Fund sponsored solar cooker.

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Figure 8: Villagers testing a Canada Fund solar cooker in Pegu Village, Sehuk Township, Trindu County, Yushu Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Qinghai Province.

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Figure 9: An aged nun boils water on her Canada Fund sponsored solar cooker in Yushu Prefecture, Qinghai Province.

Figure 10: Canada Fund label on the back of a solar cooker.

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Figure 12: Recipient is signing their names

Figure 13: He knows his solar cooker is from Canada Fund

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Figure 14: Housewife and her solar cooker

Figure 16: The housewife is signing

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Figure 17: Unloading Canada Fund supported solar cookers at Loshul Tibetan Village, Loshul Township, Sershul County, Ganzi Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Sichuan Province (1 km. from the Tibet Autonomous Region border).

Figure 18: Household recipient of a Canada Fund sponsored solar cooker in Loshul Tibetan Village, Loshul Township, Sershul County, Ganzi Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Sichuan Province (1 km. from the Tibet Autonomous Region border).

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Figure 18: Household recipients of a Canada Fund sponsored solar cooker in Loshul Tibetan Village, Loshul Township, Sershul County, Ganzi Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Sichuan Province (1 km. from the Tibet Autonomous Region border).

Figure 19: Household recipient of a Canada Fund sponsored solar cooker in Loshul Tibetan Village, Loshul Township, Sershul County, Ganzi Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Sichuan Province (1 km. from the Tibet Autonomous Region border).

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Figure 20: Household recipients of a Canada Fund sponsored solar cooker in Loshul Tibetan Village, Loshul Township, Sershul County, Ganzi Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Sichuan Province (1 km. from the Tibet Autonomous Region border).

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Figure 23: “Supported by the Canada Fund” is painted on the back of the solar cookers.

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Part Four: Rural Mongghul Project To: Canada Fund From: Dr. Limusishiden (Li Dechun) Subject: Solar Cookers for Hongyazigou Mongghul Area Huzhu Mongghul (Tu) Autonomous

County, Qinghai Province

Date: 15 September 2003 Summary

What? 164 solar cookers for Hongyazigou Mongghul area. Where? Huzhu Mongghul (Tu) Autonomous County, Qinghai Province Cost? Canada Fund =25,000 rmb; local contribution = 17,655 rmb Who? 750 local impoverished Mongghul residents AND 320 head of livestock

Solar Cookers Hongyazigou Mongghul Area

Huzhu Mongghul (Tu) Autonomous County Qinghai Province

September 15, 2003 The Canada Fund’s project, entailing the purchase of solar cookers for Hongyazigou

Mongghul area with a CF grant of 25,000 rmb, was successfully completed July 27, 2003. Under the conditions of the project, the recipients of the solar cookers were required to

contribute both 20 rmb per household as well as perform obligatory work to benefit their local community.

A total of 164 solar cookers were purchased. Of this number, 144 were contributed by the Canada Fund and 20 were contributed by local villagers through the 20 rmb contribution from recipient households. Among the recipient households, 22 households which received the solar cookers were too impoverished to contribute a cash payment; (two households contributed by Canada Fund) consequently, they were asked to provide an additional two days of labor as their form of contribution, to benefit the local community.

The merits of Canada Fund solar cooker project in the rural and impoverished Mongghul area were broadcast in Huzhu Television Station progressively for four days, twice a day.

Bank details and actual expenditures are contained in the final report. 5.48 rmb has been paid to bank tax among the total interest of 21.93 rmb earned in this project. The remaining amount of money will be used to send final report by EMS.

A digital compact disc is included in the final report showing the solar cooker project under working conditions, and benefiting the local people.

PROJECT OUTLINE

Name of the project: Solar Cookers Purchasing Project for Mountain Villages. Executing organization: Village heads of recipient villages in Hongyazigou Mongghul area, Zhan Guojing, Li Deming, Jugui and Limusishiden. Supervising organization: Limusishiden, Jugui, and Kevin Stuart. Locality: Hongyazigou area, Huzhu Mongghul Autonomous County, Qinghai Province. Project dates: Solar cooker project: April 18---July 27, 2003

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Activities Date Activity Participants April 18 Visited Huzichang, Xingang, Baguershan

villages to further investigate local conditions and planned solar cooker distribution.

Zhan Guijing, Li Deming, local villagers and villages heads

April 20 Visited Huzichang and Xingang villages; discussed with local villagers and village heads community work in return for cookers and a cash contribution of 20 rmb per recipient households.

Zhan Guojing, Li Deming, Li Sanye, Li Liangga, Li Jingwei, Li Caiben, Jugui and Limusishiden

April 21 Visited Baguershan Village to further investigate local conditions and planned solar cooker distribution.

Zhan Guojing, Li Deming, Li Shengchun, Li Zhenrong and Li Zhancai

April 25 Huzichang villagers began building roads in their village.

Zhan Guojing, Li Deming and villagers from the village.

April 27 Ordered solar cookers from Wanzi Solar Cooker Plant, Ledu County.

Zhan Guojing, Li Deming, Jugui, and Limusishiden

April 28 Huzichang villagers began building a village primary school enclosing wall (length is 17 meters, height is three meters). They built a toilet in the school with the fund contributed by villagers and leveled the school yard.

Villagers

April 30 Inspected Huzichang and Xingang villages community work. Xingang villagers rebuilt a road leading to their village.

Li Jinwei, Zhan Guojing, Li Deming and villagers

May 2-10 Xingang and Bagushan villagers rebuilt roads in their villages. Bagushan villagers rebuilt their village primary school’s enclosing wall.

Villagers from the two villages, Zhan Guojing and Li Deming.

May 16 21 solar cookers to Huzichang Village Li Deming, Zhan Guojing, Li Honglu and villagers.

May 18 Limusishiden and Jugui visited benefited villages and discussed how to use the solar cookers with local villagers.

Zhan Guojing, villages’ heads, villagers, Limusishiden and Jugui

May 19 16 solar cookers to Huzichang Village and 14 solar cookers to Xingang Village

Zhan Guojing, Li Deming and villagers.

May 27 33 solar cookers to Bagushan Village. Zhan Guojing, Li Deming and villagers

May 28 26 solar cookers to Bagushan Village and five to Xingang Village.

Zhan Guojing, Li Deming and villagers

June 2 Technician from the Wanzi Solar Cooker Plant visited villages and advised on correct solar cooker usage.

Zhan Guojing, Li Deming and technician.

June 3 Visited Sunbu Village to discuss solar cooker distribution and plan community village work.

Li Deming, Zhan Guojing, villages and village heads

June 5-11 Villagers rebuilt roads in Sunbu Village. Villagers June 12 28 solar cookers to Sunbu Village Li Deming, Zhan Guojing and villagers

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June 15 Visited Xiaogou Village to study the village and work out obligatory work in the village.

Zhan Guojing, villagers and village heads

June 18 Ordered 18 solar cookers in Zhanjia Solar Cooker Plant

Zhan Guojing

June 19-23 Xiaogou villagers rebuilt roads in their village.

Villagers, Li Deming and Zhan Guojing

July 27 21 solar cookers to Xiaogou Village. A reporter from Huzhu Television Station came to view solar cooker distribution. This was reported two days later on Huzhu Television Station. Limusishiden and Jugui also visited the village.

Villagers, Yang Zhanlin (a reporter), Jugui, Li Deming, Zhan Guojing, villagers and Limusishiden

July 29 Zhan Guojing visited again and ensured that all solar cookers were working well.

Zhan Guojing and villagers

September 15 Final report submitted to Canada Fund Zhan Guojing, Jugui, Limusishiden and Kevin Stuart

RESULTS AND LOCAL CONTRIBUTION

A total of 164 solar cookers were placed in Hongyazigou mountainous villages. In addition, local villagers worked roads leading to their villages and rebuilt school enclosing walls, a toilet and leveled a schoolyard.

1. Local villagers contributed 2,840 rmb. 2. Local villagers’ contribution of materials and labor valued in rmb are shown below.

Villages Items Unit Price (rmb) Total (rmb)

Huzichang Village Rebuilt village roads for a length of 800 meters (along them paths to fields 500 meters). Built a one-room toilet. Leveled school yard

259 people x 15mb/per day A toilet: 1,000 rmb

4,885.00

Xingang Village Rebuilt a village road for a length of 700 meters. Rebuilt the village primary school enclosing wall

118 people x 15 rmb/per day 1,770.00

Bagushan Village Rebuilt village roads for a length of 1,100 meters (along them paths to fields 300 meters). Rebuilt the village primary school enclosing wall

311 people x 15 rmb/per day 4,665.00

Sunbu Village Rebuilt village roads for a length of 900 meters (along paths to the fields 300 meters)

136 people x 15 rmb/per day 2,040.00

Xiaogou Village Rebuilt village roads for a 97 people x 15 rmb/per day 1,455.00

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length of 650 meters (along them paths in the fields 200 meters)

Local villagers’ cash contribution

142 households x 20 rmb/per household

2,840 rmb

Total 17,655 rmb

REACTIONS

The solar cookers obtained through Canada Fund’s contribution represent the first opportunity the Mongghul people in Hongyazigou area in Huzhu Mongghul Autonomous County have had to use this practical tool. The villagers feel the solar cookers have brought many benefits to local residents, particularly at the time of wide spread enforcement of the “Return fields to forest” policy. The result of this policy is that each year more and more farming fields are returned to grassland. Consequently, this reduces the amount of straw that is available. Currently, the limited amount of straw obtained from crops is used to feed livestock. This shortage of fuel forces most households to purchase coal for fuel from nearby towns. Since the solar cookers were contributed, the problem of shortage of fuel has been greatly improved.

Now people worry less about fuel. They boil water and cook food easily and conveniently using the solar cookers. Thus, solar cookers save much-needed money. During the summer, when the solar cooker operates at peak efficiency, it may do the work of 90 kg of coal per month, which is equivalent to about 25 rmb a month. The solar cooker can be used for at least seven months a year at an efficient level. Additional benefits include the fact that solar cookers are a clean source of energy, a significant environmental benefit, and they can save a lot of time for women in their busy lives.

Written below are a few local people’s voices expressing their happiness and describing how they have benefited from the solar cookers.

When the first truck of solar cookers arrived to Huzichang Village, it about was 6: p.m., and the sun was setting behind the mountains. A 60-year-old grandmother excitedly asked, “Could I boil water now if take it to my home immediately?” She then continued, “Thanks to the contributor (Canada Fund) we can solve our fuel shortage problem. Thanks very much. Before, some people in my village went outside to earn some money by selling their labor, and then purchased several hundred kilograms of coal for fuel; however, many households only collected animal dung and twigs. In addition, the limited straw in our homes has to feed our livestock. We won’t worry anymore about fuel.”

A 70-year-old man from Bagushan Village said, “It’s so great that we will no longer worry about fuel. We had wanted to purchase a solar cooker for a long time; however, we had no money to make this dream become reality. The solar cooker is great to use and it also saves a lot of money for our family; money we would have used to purchase coal. Thank all of you very much.”

A young woman said, “Before, I had to get up in the very early morning to collect fuel far from my home. Now I needn’t collect any more because the solar cooker is helping me very well.”

A 40-year-old man said, “It’s a perfect time to send us solar cookers. It will save our village’s little trees from being cut away by the people who have neither fuel nor money to purchase coal. Previously, in these circumstances, trees were unable to grow in our village. If you could contribute more solar cookers to our neighboring villages, it would further guarantee that little trees could grow up in our area.” Collectively, 750 Mongghul families and more than 320 head of livestock now benefit from the solar cookers. Canada Fund’s contribution has gotten a strong reaction in this area by truly helping these people.

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The above-mentioned villages in Hongyazigou area are located in the southern part of Huzhu Mongghul Autonomous County. Between the high mountains and valleys, Mongghul villages are located in mountainous areas characterized by frigid winters, poor natural conditions, and inconvenient transportation. Local people still keep to the traditional ways of thinking; not recognizing the importance of education in schools, they still send their children to lamaseries. Helping them out of poverty is an urgent need.

RESIDENTS WILL MAINTAIN SOLAR COOKERS AS FOLLOW: • Place in a safe place. • Clean once every 3-5 days. • Solar plants will help repair it when necessary.

PROBLEMS ENCEOUNTERED DURING THE PROJECTS’S PERFORMANCE:

Most villages are located atop mountains and the roads leading to the villages are steep and narrow. Therefore, only small trucks can pass on the roads during clear days, without rain or snow. Occasionally, solar cookers had to be delivered to some households in wooden carts because of transportation conditions.

Because of the poverty in the villages, men from the villages regularly go outside to earn money early in the year and return home at harvest time. Therefore, women are left to do the heavy work both inside and outside their homes. This was also true during the solar cooker project with women performing a great deal of the obligatory work, unloading and transporting the solar cookers.

The 164 cookers will make a substantial difference to the lives of those who received one; however, as we could only supply them to some of the village households, there were many households who did not get solar cookers and their longing for one was very clear to see.

Letter of Appreciation

Xishan Village, Hongyazigou Mongghul Area, Huzhu Mongghul Autonomous County Dear Canada Fund Staff,

We hope all is going well with you! We are residents of a small village in the west of China--Xishan Village, Hongyazigou Township, Huzhu Mongghul (TU) Autonomous County, Qinghai Province. We live in a remote area, with an average elevation of 2,500 meters, limited cultivated land, drought, little rainfall, poor transportation and minimal contact with the outside world. At present, local people have insufficient supplies for consumption, are poorly fed and ill-clad. Particularly, the shortage of fuel has become a big problem. At this difficult juncture, Canada Fund contributed quite a lot of money that has provided more than 20 solar cookers for my village, as well 160 other cookers for other villages in our township. You have helped us deal with the fuel shortage in a very practical way. So on behalf of all of the villagers who have benefited so much from receiving a solar cooker, we want to say that we truly appreciate your generosity. Your action is a great example of the spirit of internationalism. Again, thank your very much for your help. Finally, we wish all of you good health, that all things go successfully for you, and that we will be able to work together again in the spirit of internationalism.

Best wishes and regards Xishan Administrative Village, Hongyazigou Township, Huzhu Mongghul Autonomous County, Qinghai Province 28 July, 2003

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List of Recipients Benefiting from Solar Cookers Contributed by the Canada Fund

Hongyazigou Township Table 1. Xingang Village

Lan Fayue Li Shengandai Li Duoga Lan Shouwen Li Zhancai Zhang Danzhu Li Yingshun Li Zhanhong Li Shengfu Li Zhanbiao Li Zhanfa Lan Faxue Li Zhanquan Li Zhanfang Zhang Youxing Zhang Cunjing Zhang Cunhai Li Jingfa Li Jingfu

Table 2. Huzichang Village Wang Jingfu Li Sirang Wang Jingping Wang Zuoan Wang Yinghui Wang Jingxiang Li Shengfang Li Shengfu Li Jingcun Li Yingcun Wang Jingshun Li Jingcheng Wang Jinghun Li Jingchun Li Caicheng Li Yingfa Wang Shunting Li Jingwei Li Jingbao Quan Sirang Li Jingcai Wang Jingtao Wang Zhaxi Wang Caiting Li Yinghai Wang Qingben Wang Jingcheng Wang Jingbao Wang Yingting Wang Cailang Xing Sirang Li Yingfu Xing Dugua Wang Jingting Li Zhengfa Li Caiying Li Zhanxing

Table 3. Bagushan Village Li Shengchun Li Shenghai Xing Shengfu Lu Zhashi Yi Zhongquan Ben Chengxiao Si Langqian Lei Youfu Lei Youde Li Gagao Lei Youquan Li Shengyi Li Shengzhong Yang Ciluo Li Qiangsheng Li Zhanyue Li Tianfu Li Shengqing Li Zengxing Li Shengrmb Li Shengwen Li Tianlu Li Shengjing Li Zhanlu Li Shenggui Li Yourong Li Tiancai Li Caidan Li Shengcai Li Shengta Li Zhankui Li Wanzhong Li Zhancai Xie Tonghua Yang Xidong Xie Tongrong Li Shengfa Li Zhenghen Li Jiewen Xie Tongfu Li Zhenlu Li Zhenwen Li Zhenrong Li Zhenshou Li Zhenfu Cai Qingming Li Zhenzhong Yang Xiling Li Zhenqing Li Zhenming Li Zhengshun Li Jixiang Li Shengquan Li Shengbang Yang Shengqing Li Danzhu Xie Tongbing Li Tianzhu Li Tianyou

Table 4. Sunbu Village Bai Yude Zhao

Guangzhong Bai Yuquan Bai Shoucai Zhao Fuzhong

Bai Yuzhu Bai Wuying Bai Wenxue Bai Yucai Bai Fucai Zhao Bangxiong Bai Yingcai Bai Yuzheng Bai Yusheng Bai Yuanyi Zhan Zhitai Zhao Guozhong Zhao Bangling Bai Yukui Zhan

Chunshengjie Zhan Fuguijie Zhan Guoliang Zhan Lamuzhaxi Zhan Warigua Ma Qishier Qiao Renqian Ren Xuzai Ren Haiqing

Table 5. Xiaogou Village Zhang Zhanyong Zhang Zhanren Zhang

Chengzhong Zhang Zhanhong Zhang Yangben

Zhang Huanglong Zhang Zhanrong Zhang Danjiansirang

Zhang Zongming Zhang Zhanli

Zhang Zhanxiang Zhang Chengqing Zhang Sirang Zhang Shiman Zhang Chengsheng

Zhang Zhanxi Zhang Zhanwen Zhang Zongqing Zhang Yingshou Li Qingxian Zhang Qing

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Part Five: Rural Mangghuer Solar Cooker Project

Guanting Region Minhe Hui and Mangghuer Autonomous County

Canada Fund Assisted Project

Sanchuan Development Association

2003/11/30 I. Project name: Solar cookers for four poor Mangghuer families in Baojia Shawer Village II. Project Location: Baojia Shawer Village, Guanting Region, Minhe Hui and Mangghuer Autonomous County, Qinghai Province, PRC III. Executing organization: Sanchuan Development Association IV. Responsible persons: Qi Zhenxiang (Office Head, SDA); Zhu Xuezhong (Head, Implementation Sector, SDA) V. Supervisor(s): Zhu Yongzhong (Director, SDA) Canada Fund’s contribution: 605 rmb SDA’s Contribution: 155 rmb VII. Project Period: October — November 2003 1. Project general aims and target group:

Four impoverished Mangghuer families in Baojia Shawer Village, Guanting Region now each have a solar cooker. A total of 23 people benefited from the Canada Fund Assisted Solar Cooker Project. These families can:

• Boil water easily and conveniently. This has greatly helped females. Traditionally, women prepare food and collect drinking water. At noon in summer and autumn, they had to make kitchen fires. The kitchen is generally located in a corner of the home and has a very small window. Fuel is mainly straw, thus the room became very smoky, causing eye irritation.

• Increase fuel availability for livestock. Straw is the only fuel for many families. Burning it as a fuel meant it could not be fed to livestock. The solar cookers mean that more straw can be fed to livestock.

• Heat food for livestock. Families can now conveniently boil livestock food, such as potatoes. Animals eating warm food will experience more weight gain than those eating cold food. This is especially true for swine.

• Save money. During the summer, when the solar cooker operates at peak efficiency, a solar cooker may do the work of 120 kg of coal/month, which is equivalent to about 30 rmb a month. The solar cooker can be used for at least eight months a year at good efficiency, and thus saves 240 rmb. This is more than the cost of the cooker. The cooker has a life of 10-15 years.

• No pollution. The solar cooker is a clean source of energy. Not using the amount of coal just described has a significant environmental benefit.

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2. Project Log: Date Activity Participant

October 15, 2003 SDA visited Baojia Shawer village and chose four poorest families in the village

Qi Zhenxiang

October 17, 2003 Project fund received Zhu Yongzhong Dr. Kevin Stuart

October 20, 2003 4 solar cookers ordered in Hulancher Solar Cooker Factory

Qi Zhenxiang Zhu Xuezhong

November 13, 2003 Four solar cookers sent to Baojia Shawer Village

Zhu Xuezhong Qi Zhenxiang

November 30, 2003 Final report sent to Dr. Kevin Stuart Zhu Yongzhong

3. Project Fund Expenditures Quantity Price Requested Local 1.0 Solar cooker 4 150 600 02.0 Transport 4 15 5 553.0 Monitoring and evaluation 2 trips 50 100

Total 605 155Total Cost of Project rmb 760

4. Activities realized in the framework of the project: (see table above), furthermore:

• Coal need not be purchased. • Less grass, fewer leaves, and fewer branches will be taken from the mountains and solar

cookers produce no smoke. • Women now benefit from a reduction in smoke inhalation. • Straw that would have been burnt for fuel will now be fed to livestock. • Environment impact will be minimized.

5. General conclusion on realization of project aims:

• Four impoverished Mangghuer families in Baojia Shawer Village now each have a solar cooker. A total of 23 people benefited from the Canada Fund Solar Cooker Project. The solar cookers are practical, convenient, safe and clean.

• Less straw burned means more straw can be fed to livestock and money not spent on coal can be spent on other items.

• Women’s health will be better with less exposure to smoky kitchens by using the solar cookers. Furthermore, women will not have to spend a good deal of time in, particularly, summer in order to simply boil water.

• Solar cookers do not pollute the air as do coal fires and less organic materials collected from mountainsides means that erosion will be reduced and local uncultivated land will now be more fertile.

• The project can introduce new appropriate technologies into the area that has significant benefits for local people

Signed by supervisor: Date: November 30, 2003

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Beneficiaries Namelist

Baojia Shawer Village, Guanting Region

Bao Zhengdei Bao Zongxian Bao Zongziyuan Bao Chengfu

Executors: Qi Zhengxiang, Zhu Xuezhong Supervisor: Zhu Yongzhong

Date: November 30, 2003

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Photos

1.2. Four poorest families in Baojia Shawer Village benefited from the Canada Fund Supported Solar Cooker Project.

3. Four solar cookers sent to Baojia Shawer Village on November 13, 2003.

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