Appropriate community technology - A training manual: Phase II: Earthen construction and fuel-saving cookstoves: Session 3. Fuel-saying cookstoves: gathering information

Appropriate community technology - A training manual

Phase II: Earthen construction and fuel-saving cookstoves

		Phase II Calendar
		Session 1. Environmental health and sanitation
		Session 2. Traditional methods of cooking: an introduction to cookstove technologies
		Session 3. Fuel-saying cookstoves: gathering information
		Session 4. Cookstove design and innovations
		Session 5. Thinking in pictures: introduction to design drawing
		Session 6. Introduction to independent study
		Session 7. Cookstove operation function and design principles
		Session 8. Understanding the cookstove design process and soil mixes
		Session 9. Insolation meter construction
		Session 10. Cookstove construction
		Session 11. Nature of volunteerism: expectations beyond training
		Session 12. Food issues
		Session 13. The role of the volunteer in development: definition of appropriate technology
		Session 14. Stove promotion and dissemination
		Session 15. Explaining completed cookstoves
		Session 16. Evaluating cookstove efficiency
		Session 17. Diagnosing and repairing malfunctioning cookstoves
		Session 18. Other responses to fuel scarcity
		Session 19. Charcoal production and stoves
		Session 20. Custom and food
		Session 21. Design and construction of the second stove part one: stove base
		Session 22. Alternative cookstoves: presentations
		Session 23. Basic nutrition
		Session 24. Cookstove operation
		Session 25. Cookstove development and innovation
		Session 26. Cookstove information and resources/ evaluation of cookstove training

Session 3. Fuel-saying cookstoves: gathering information

Total time:	1-1/2 hours
Objectives:	To discuss the range and complexity of issues and factors to be considered when investigating the need for the promotion and/or development of new technologies
Resources:	"Socio-Cultural and Technical Checklists," Helping People in Poor Countries, pp. 31-34
Materials:	Newsprint and felt-tip pens

Procedures:

Step 1. (30 minutes)

Begin by stating the session objectives. Then - ask the participants to divide into groups of 4 or 5 in order to consider the following question:

As community development facilitators, what information would you need and what factors would you want to be aware of before deciding that there was a need for helping people improve or change the ways they cook?

Both the discussion question and the instructions for this activity should be posted on newsprint to provide participants with focus and clarity while they are working in their groups.

Step 2. (30 minutes)

Reconvene the groups and ask a representative from each group to present their lists. Facilitate any questions or discussion raised by the lists.

Step 3. (5 minutes)

Distribute copies of pp. 3134, "Socio-Cultural and Technical Checklists" from Helping People in Poor Countries and allow participants time to review the material.

Step 4. (15 minutes)

Referring to the checklists, ask participants to identify and discuss any factors that were not covered in the earlier lists.

Step 5. (10 minutes)

Ask that a volunteer participant(s) facilitate a discussion which reviews and summarizes the session.

Trainer Notes

In summarizing the session, these key issues should be highlighted:

* The importance of appreciating the complexity surrounding the promotion and development of a new technology

* The significance of social-cultural awareness ant sensitivity in the assessment of needs

* The understanding that the promotion/development of cookstove technology (or any other technology) may not always be the answer