Haitians Thank ND Churches for Solar Ovens

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — Haitian leaders with the Haiti Solar Oven Partners project plan to visit 29 United Methodist churches in the Dakotas this month to thank the congregations and build support for the effort.

Haiti Solar Oven Partners is a mission of the Dakotas Conference of the United Methodist Church. It's been producing parts for solar-powered ovens for poverty-stricken Haiti since 1999. Hundreds of volunteers craft and package the parts in workshops in Moffit, N.D., and Volga, S.D.

Teams of volunteers also travel to Haiti each year to help build the ovens and educate people about using them. The ovens can be used for cooking, baking, purifying water and pasteurizing milk.

The Bismarck Tribune reports that each solar oven costs $125. Donations from people and churches cover most of the cost.