Cheaply made mirrors to produce heat for the Ovens (R) for cooking. Photo by Acipa Doreen/TND News.
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Last Updated on: 4th April 2022, 12:33 pm
Solar Fire Concentration and Plan International undertook a pilot project in Uganda in 2018 which brought the first Lytefire ovens to Plan’s smart-up factory program.
By Acipa Doreen
Alebtong –April 2, 2022: Fifteen [15] youth took part in a week-long training on creating a solar-powered bakery to enhance young people’s economic freedom.
The training began on March 11, 2022, and ended on April 01, 2022, at Smart-up factory Alebtong Hub located at Alebtong town council, in Alebtong district.
The Smart-up project is facilitated by Plan International Uganda under the Lira program area in collaboration with Finish solar energy company – Solar Fire Concentration Ltd under Lytefire Innovation Program.
The project leader Lytefire Callum McRobbie said the innovation is to empower young people by creating sustainable jobs, supporting local productivity, and promoting a more creative and innovative economy while reducing deforestation and contributions to climate change.
He continued that the solar bakery enhances young people’s economic freedom, reduces harmful smoke inhalation, and increases awareness of climate change.
“We strive to empower young people in Uganda so they have the strength, support, and insight to create a successful business, whilst making money and helping to boost the local economy. Producing food locally also supports economic independence, which improves the economy of the region, and moreover, having access to free solar energy increases the energy autonomy of the region,” Callum explained.
About Solar Fire Concentration Ltd
It is a Finnish social impact company, created to empower small-scale entrepreneurs in order to create sustainable livelihoods and increase local wealth.
Achieved through Lytefire technology, it can be built and made locally as well as training focusing on entrepreneurship skills, technology that powers several applications including solar ovens, roasters, and dehydrators which allow a variety of income-generating activities, according to Callum.
About the Lytefire technology
The Lytefire has concentrator power ovens, roasters, or dehydrators for food processing like baking cakes, and drying fish among others. The Lytefire 5 reaches up to 300°c.
It uses direct solar energy and transformed the energy into heat which helps entrepreneurs to switch from firewood and charcoal to a sustainable, free energy source. Built of locally available materials, it is simple and cost-effective to fabricate and maintain, TND News has been told.
The dynamic combination of solar fire’s drive for innovation and new solutions and Plan Uganda’s long-term expertise is expected to achieve path, defending new approaches to truly sustainable livelihoods and increasingly more autonomous and inclusive forms of local solar-powered entrepreneurship.
Solar Fire Concentration and Plan International undertook a pilot project in Uganda in 2018 which brought the first Lytefire ovens to Plan’s smart-up factory program.
22 entrepreneurship students at two smart-up factory hubs were provided with Lytefire solar ovens and attended skill training, theoretical workshops, and business incubation.
Plan Uganda is expected to train 215 women and youth in Alebtong district on the use of the Lytefire solar technology using local materials such as steel and glass mirrors. The training is adapted from the previous knowledge of participants.
Emmanuel Kim Omara is the chairperson of Smart-up factory Alebtong hub. He said, “I am now equipped with knowledge on how to assemble mirrors to generate heat to the oven for cooking but without cutting down trees for firewood and charcoal.”
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“It’s simple and not costly because it is homemade,” Omara continued. He expressed that he will never lack money due to the knowledge and skills he acquired.
Omara concluded that they will keep registering marginalized youth within the district for this training after every four months and enroll them in both compulsory and objective training that includes entrepreneurship, life, and leadership skills to improve their lives in the community.
Evaline Sarah Akello said this will improve her livelihood and she pledged to extend the knowledge to other female youth who are school dropped out.
“Youth who are not in school are always referred to as wrongdoers in the community, but we are up to prove that we are capable youth,” she said, urging the district leaders to see them as one.
