Make Change Possible e.V. is an organization based in Heidelberg, Germany that has been supporting programs and projects in the areas of education, nutrition, sustainability, health, and business development in the Mayana community in rural Namibia for over 13 years in close collaboration with the locally based Mayana Meho Foundation.
This project aims to provide solar-powered pellet stoves and solar panels to families living in the community. Pellet stoves are much more energy-efficient and require far fewer resources than the open wood fires traditionally used for cooking. Having a pellet stove means that family members do not have to walk long distances to gather firewood but can instead use biofuel that's readily available in the community–even cow dung or nut shells do the job. This also keeps the larger area from being further deforested. The solar panels provide independent access to renewable energy and can be used to charge the stoves, as well as small appliances such as cell phones and lamps.
Through a previous Gitcoin grant round, we were able to gift 60 stoves, solar panels, and fruit trees to the community and there's still much more demand. There are still about 140 more families in the community, who could benefit from having a pellet stove and solar panels.