The most significant environmental problem in southern Chad is deforestation, and it is caused by the lack of access to electricity and the continued dependence on firewood. It is estimated that less than 3% of the population in Chad has access to electricity, so families throughout the country rely heavily on firewood and charcoal as their only source of energy, the use of which causes severe health and environmental problems.

The recent influx of refugees from Central African Republic and Sudan into southern Chad is making things worse as the displaced refugees are now competing with local inhabitants over natural resources for firewood and construction materials, leading to more deforestation, soil erosion and depletion and pollution of water resources.

Barh Koh ESDA has undertaken this project to supply environment safe products that will provide energy to poor rural communities in southern Chad, whether for cooking or for indoor lighting, to help reduce their dependence on firewood, thus reducing the rate of deforestation. This initiative will also improve living conditions by eliminating smoke inhalation and eyesight problems associated with traditional wood-burning fires. It will also eliminate the health and environmental risks associated with the use of kerosene lanterns and stoves.

Providing solar Lanterns for poor families and students
Solar lanterns are eco-friendly and safe. A Traditional Set of 2 Solar Lanterns can cost around $40 to $60, including shipping and handling; they are eco-friendly and will reduce the risks of fire hazards associated with kerosene lamps and firewood burning. A solar lantern will enable a rural student to study and do his homework after sunset and in the process, improve his performance. Providing solar Cookers/Stoves to poor rural families
Solar cookers cost at least $40 while solar stoves/ovens may cost at least $300; which constitute a very small investment to help relieve poverty and save the environment at the same time. Solar cookers and stoves are safe; they cause no danger of fire or burns associated with wood burning.

Providing Solar Flashlights to poor families and students
A solar flashlight is an emergency product that would help save lives in rural families who spend their evenings and nights in perpetual darkness and thus, subject to all sorts of insects, reptiles and other elements. It can also be used by students who have no access to lanterns or any other source of light to do their assignments when it is dark. A solar flashlight costs about $20 to $30 and weighs less than 2lbs.

Our goal is to provide one solar cooker/stove, one set of solar lantern and one set of solar flashlight per average family size of 6 members – 31 January 2010.  This work simply wouldn't be possible without your support, so we are asking for your help. 


Please click on this link http://www.barhkoh.org to make a secure online donation today (either for a flashlight, a lantern, a cooker or an oven) and help us protect the environment and make a difference in the lives of disadvantaged people of southern Chad.

Thank you for your support!!