What principles does the Darfur Stoves Project operate under?
TISS and its projects believe in equitable and sustainable development. What that means is that any TISS project is developed to ensure that it creates positive and sustainable change in the community in which it works. As part of that, we only develop technology that is appropriate for the region, the culture and the resources available. Additionally, we work with subject matter experts in the community. In the case of the Darfur Stoves Project, the experts were the women who were cooking meals and collecting fuel wood. We consider them co-designers since many of their comments and requests were directly incorporated into the stove design. TISS projects also must incorporate an economic sustainability component so that the project can eventually be owned and run by the community. We do not believe in hand outs but in helping hands. Through these principles, TISS can help a community stand on its own, with dignity and confidence.
