An International Humanitarian Project of District 6450
Rotary International

ABOUT US

The Temple Solar Project committee of District 6450 brings together identified Third World needs with the solar energy solutions to urgent human and environmental problems. This brokering process requires the coordination of clubs serving in countries of need, humanitarian organizations knowledgeable of native groups, contributions of Rotary groups and other donors, the matching grants process of The Rotary Foundation and the manufacture and delivery of the solar ovens. The committee consists of Rotarians from different clubs in District 6450 and includes five current and past District Governors of the district.

The large Villager Sun Oven that is purchased for these projects is a high technology instrument invented by Tom Burns, a Milwaukee Rotarian, and fine-tuned by experts at Sandia Laboratories. The oven has very simple controls, easily understood by users in developing countries. This Sun Oven can provide an entire community with the power to prepare healthy food and water while halting deforestation. The Temple Solar Project was founded in the name of Bill Temple, a deceased Hinsdale, Illinois Rotarian and District Governor whose vision brought the idea to fruition in District 6450.

HOW THE PROJECT WORKS

Every oven that is purchased is at the center of a plan developed with Rotary clubs in a receiving nation that establish the need. With the cooperation of these groups and knowledgeable non-governmental humanitarian groups, the Project can ensure the delivery of equipment and the staffing and training of native personnel through the startup phase of a new "micro-bakery business" where villagers now exist in poverty and mal-nutrition. Contributions by Rotary Clubs all over the United States and other nations provide the resources for the project to work. The Temple Solar Project functions as the broker between countries asking for help, Rotary clubs willing to provide the money and a manufacturer capable of producing these special machines at a reasonable cost.