June Update
Before my trip to North America, my local project partner (and cookstove superstar) Linus and I were able to draft out the cookstove construction manual and employ an artist to do some excellent illustrations for it. As well, we were able to shoot the rough footage for an instructional video on how to build the cookstove. (Very rough, I have a lot to learn about movie production!) We plan to finalize both deliverables this week.
While I was gone, Linus took a great opportunity to become very involved in the first ever NGO-led Environmental Summit sponsored by the Cross River State government. Due in large part to his ability to practically demonstrate the viability and importance of fuel efficient cookstoves, one of the major recommendations that came out of the conference was the use of fuel efficient cook stoves throughout the state. This may pave the way for government funding for the continuation of the Fuel for Life Project on a much larger scale. (Another opportunity has also come up to fund the next phase of the project, and we will be working on a proposal for that this month.)
Due mainly to his involvement in the conference, Linus was unable to initiate the planned registration of the cookstoves that have been built in the villages last month, which is critical to do a couple weeks before the full evaluation. Otherwise, we would not be able to report the actual number of stoves built (unless we went hut-to-hut to check if each had a cookstove, which is impractical for villages with thousands of households.) For this reason, the evaluation has been delayed by a couple more weeks while the cookstoves are registered. I take full responsibility for this delay as this was indeed a case where if I was there ensuring he did this, it would have been done. However, while the project timeline will have to be shifted a bit, we will still be able to complete all components of the project.
In other news, my trip was a great success on a personal level. Barry and I have decided to spend the next academic year together in the Netherlands. I will be studying in an energy analyst graduate program at Utrecht University and planning to use my thesis to analyze some of the key barriers to sustainable energy implementation I have experienced during my time here. He'll continue to do his PhD and postdoc work in wind energy at a nearby university. Plus I got to be there while my little brother and sister graduated university and high school respectively = lots of sibling karma points!!!
Barry and I are still trying to iron out some of the practicalities of his employment and accommodation, but assuming they all work out, my classes will (unfortunately) start September 5th. So it looks like I will not be able to participate in the river float - which is a huge disappointment to me! Any ways I can contribute from overseas? For instance, I would be happy to send some reflections on the topics you'll discuss or participate in any civilization-based meetings if it is possible over video skype (which should be set up in Utrecht by then). But I realize you already have a really big group so I understand if you don't want to complicate things further. But do let me know me know if you see any meaningful ways for me to participate from abroad.
Ok, that's my (somewhat brief) update. Hope all is going well at the Wild Gift base camp and all its satellite arms!
While I was gone, Linus took a great opportunity to become very involved in the first ever NGO-led Environmental Summit sponsored by the Cross River State government. Due in large part to his ability to practically demonstrate the viability and importance of fuel efficient cookstoves, one of the major recommendations that came out of the conference was the use of fuel efficient cook stoves throughout the state. This may pave the way for government funding for the continuation of the Fuel for Life Project on a much larger scale. (Another opportunity has also come up to fund the next phase of the project, and we will be working on a proposal for that this month.)
Due mainly to his involvement in the conference, Linus was unable to initiate the planned registration of the cookstoves that have been built in the villages last month, which is critical to do a couple weeks before the full evaluation. Otherwise, we would not be able to report the actual number of stoves built (unless we went hut-to-hut to check if each had a cookstove, which is impractical for villages with thousands of households.) For this reason, the evaluation has been delayed by a couple more weeks while the cookstoves are registered. I take full responsibility for this delay as this was indeed a case where if I was there ensuring he did this, it would have been done. However, while the project timeline will have to be shifted a bit, we will still be able to complete all components of the project.
In other news, my trip was a great success on a personal level. Barry and I have decided to spend the next academic year together in the Netherlands. I will be studying in an energy analyst graduate program at Utrecht University and planning to use my thesis to analyze some of the key barriers to sustainable energy implementation I have experienced during my time here. He'll continue to do his PhD and postdoc work in wind energy at a nearby university. Plus I got to be there while my little brother and sister graduated university and high school respectively = lots of sibling karma points!!!
Barry and I are still trying to iron out some of the practicalities of his employment and accommodation, but assuming they all work out, my classes will (unfortunately) start September 5th. So it looks like I will not be able to participate in the river float - which is a huge disappointment to me! Any ways I can contribute from overseas? For instance, I would be happy to send some reflections on the topics you'll discuss or participate in any civilization-based meetings if it is possible over video skype (which should be set up in Utrecht by then). But I realize you already have a really big group so I understand if you don't want to complicate things further. But do let me know me know if you see any meaningful ways for me to participate from abroad.
Ok, that's my (somewhat brief) update. Hope all is going well at the Wild Gift base camp and all its satellite arms!
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