Reflections by Naomi Hatfield, Rapid City Canyon Lake UMC as interviewed by Makenzie Huber, an SDSU Journalism major, who also participated on this trip as the recipient of a Pulitzer Grant to write about solar cooking in developing countries.

Naomi Hatfield joined the July Solar Oven Partners (SOP) team for 10 days of oven and relationship building in the Dominican Republic.  Naomi has been a long-time supporter because her church, Canyon Lake UMC, is a partner church. When summer schedules finally aligned, Naomi and a fellow teacher, Melinda Williams, joined the July team. Here are some observations of this first-time volunteer:

Photo: Brianna Whitaker and Naomi are helping Mario put the reflective liner in an oven.  "Mario was also our super hero bus driver. He owns his own transportation business and works 365 days a year to support his family," says Naomi. Photo by Rick Jost.

SOP has moved operations from Haiti to the DR, working with UM missionaries Gordon and Ardell Graner (strengthening connections between SOP and Board of Global Ministries.) Has this move been positive for SOP?

Naomi: Gordon and Ardell have built enormous trust and respect among the Dominicans already. They are the connecting force with the church and church leaders in the DR and they understand how to maintain positive relations so the Solar Oven Partners can continue this important mission.  Gordy and Ardell are growing a "team" in the DR that can do the teaching and work needed to get the solar ovens out to the people.

Are Dominicans immediately enthusiastic about solar cooking or is there some skepticism?

Naomi: People were very excited and positive about cooking with the solar ovens. Some were skeptical until the food came out of the ovens. Cheers would go up when the cooked food came out and was revealed. The teamwork among the women during food prep was amazing.

Naomi assist in putting an oven together. Photo by Rick Jost.

Were you impressed with the practicality of solar ovens?

Naomi: Cooking with the solar ovens is so much healthier than the wood burning or gas ovens that are used.  Cooking is done indoors with the traditional stoves and the smoke is highly toxic to lungs and eyes. The solar ovens have no smoke or emissions. Cooking is done by the sun, outside and still protected from the animals. The ovens can be used to pasteurize water making it safe for consumption. The families save money,  protect the environment and protect their family's health.

Originally, the Haiti Solar Oven Project served very poor people. Can we feel confident that we are still reaching the urban and rural poor?

Naomi: We worked in the churches and chapels of three different towns: Sosua, Gaspar Hernandez and Sabaneta y Yasica.  The churches were in urban settings and the chapels are more rural. All of the towns we worked in were 10,000-35,000 people.  The narrow streets in town were usually paved and some were dirt.  It had an inner city feeling, but the people were extremely friendly and welcoming. At night, however, homes and shops were locked down behind gates and fences. Streets lined with open air shops looked like locked down storage units at night. During the day, the gates were rolled up and everyone greeted everyone on the street with smiles and "buenos dias."

Photo: Photo by Makenzie Huber. Naomi and SOP volunteer Charlie Schnabel of Brookings working on oven assembly. Photo by Makenzie Huber.

 Why was being an SOP volunteer important to you? 

Naomi: I realized the Dominicans don't really need ME!  99% of the work of this mission is completed before the trip. I needed this experience to grow in my knowledge and understanding.  Rick and Lorna Jost are the catalysts of this project and Gordon and Ardell Graner are their arms and legs and eyes in the DR.

This mission is so important and must continue. Prayers, donations, and labor to pack and ship ovens are crucial. I believe in this project with my whole heart and head and I know you do also! 

Photo by Naomi Hatfield. SOP Director Rick Jost and a young Dominican assemble an oven from parts paid for by Dakotans and fabricated in the Dakotas.

Your church can be a partner church, supporting Solar Oven Partners. Individual gifts and Dakotas workshops volunteers are critical to the success of this mission. Click here to learn how you can become more connected to SOP.