|
Biogas is a clean, nonpolluting, and cheap source of energy in rural areas. It consists of 55-70% methane, which is flammable. Biogas is produced from cattle dung and human waste in a bio gas plant commonly known as a gobar gas plant through a process called digestion.
The objectives are to: (1) provide fuel for cooking purposes, (2) organic manure, (3) mitigate drudgery of rural women spending hours collecting wood (thus also reducing deforestation), and (4) improve sanitation in villages by linking sanitary latrines with biogas plants.
• Jim Mayfield, CHOICE co-founder, 2 ½ minute YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TRXrjP017oA&feature=em-subs_digest
• Benefits
• Health
- Reduces upper respiratory illnesses caused by smoke inhalation
- Women's life expectancy improvement: 38 to 58 years of age
- Infant mortality rate decreases
- Sanitary latrines
- Reduction in density of flies and other insects that transfer disease and
viruses; reduction in contamination from fecal matter in food preparation
• Environment
- Deforestation lessened
- Natural fertilizer created
• Time
- Not collecting wood...many women in extreme poverty can spend up to 4
hours/day collecting wood and/or water
• Step towards ending extreme poverty
- With increased time in day not devoted to wood collection, women can use the
time for literacy, economic development, and other worthwhile activities
benefiting their families
• CHOICE Humanitarian overview:
• Mission: end extreme poverty
• International Development NGO
- Sustainability
- Leadership Development
- Gender Equity
• Founded: 1982
• Currently working in 7 countries, including Nepal
• Focus Areas: Education, Health, Environment, Cultural Preservation, and
Economic Development
• Through collaboration with other organizations (governments, NGOs, etc.)
CHOICE's project funds are typically leveraged $4.50 to every $1 CHOICE
provides
• Project Goals:
• 100 biogas digesters and dry latrines
• Rotary International $35K grant
- As a result of RI's contribution, another $30-35K will be leveraged from
the Nepali government, Villagers, and CHOICE
• Location: Rainas and Sundarbazar municipalities in Lamjung (total population
~30,000)
• 1 year from start time for completion of work and training
• Villager Selection Process
• Must contribute both labor and some of their own funding to project
• Local leaders give have priority to the poorest
• Has sufficient cattle to help produce 36kg of waste/day
• Elevation below 1,300 meters above sea level (hot enough climate for
microorganisms to break down waste within tank via anaerobic digestion)
• Participant Roles
• CHOICE:
- Organizes family, trains family on biogas and dry latrine technologies,
assists with placement preparation, oversees construction, provides
experienced staff to be on-site during and after construction to insure
proper operation.
- With full-time, native in-country staff in Nepal, CHOICE's In-Country
Director (ICD) will be in regular contact with the local Rotary Club
partners with updates, photos, and financials regarding the project as it
is carried out. They will also host site visits to the villages for the
local Nepali Rotary Club members to evaluate progress and assure that funds
are being used efficiently, effectively, and for the purpose they were
designated.
- Field teams will also send monthly updates on project progress to CHOICE
headquarters. These reports will be copied to the partnering Rotary Clubs
in the US. CHOICE will also be happy to host international visits to any
Rotary member in the US interested in going on-site.
• Villagers: Manually dig holes, provide sand for the concrete mix, and provide
rock and fill for construction phase.
• Government: Provides some concrete and other materials and supplies, and
provides on-site supervisor of construction.
• Rotary: Supplies all other concrete needed, biogas unit stove for the kitchen,
and gas lines from biogas unit to kitchen facility; also, provides additional
on-site skilled labor.
| 
