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Last edited: 26 November 2023
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Solar-baked bread
A parabolic trough bread oven powers a solar bakery run by the Bethel Business and Community Development Centre in Lesotho.
The mission of Bethel Business and Community Development Centre (BBCDC) is to teach young men and women general engineering skills, manual capabilities, applied sciences and leadership abilities that address the needs of rural and urban development in Lesotho, and to pursue financial self-sustainability through self-reliance, commercial endeavor, and responsible environmental management.
BBCDC addresses several thorny and interdependent development problems, including: educational innovation, landscape regeneration and water resources improvement, financial independence, adoption of renewable energy platforms, appropriate technology, and design of the built environment for sustainability. The school's primary mission is to provide skills and knowledge to young men and women for well-being and self-reliance through experiential learning.
BBCDC stresses the design, assembly, operation and management of complex systems as a vital driver of wealth, value and order creation. While the surrounding landscape reflects moderate to severe land degradation along with high levels of underemployment, BBCDC has proven that science and technology, together with solar energy utilization can sustain strong economic growth. When coupled with business acumen, light industry, tourism, and food processing, will provide additional opportunities. Careful design and establishment of the built environment breaks vicious circles and replaces them with virtuous ones.
News[]
- 9-11 March, 2018: (Phamong) - Permaculture Convergence: - The Bethel Business and Community Development Centre is sponsoring a gathering of individuals interested in discussing and networking with others about permaculture approaches to water, food, energy, technology, construction, and landscape development. Sites of interest on the campus and community will be designated, which demonstrate BBCDC efforts in these areas. Attendance will include accommodation (shared) and meals from Friday dinner to Sunday breakfast. The fee is M1500.00/person all inclusive. They are limited to a maximum of 30 people so register early. To request more information, or register and provide a presentation topic contact: ivan.yaholnitsky@gmail.com or mmahase2@gmail.com Whatsapp: 00266 5874 2991
- June 2016: The Bethel Business and Community Development Centre has won the 2016 Energy Global Award for Lesotho.
- February 2016: The Bethel Business and Community Development Centre published their Annual Report for 2015
- April 2008: The Bethel Business and Community Development Centre has built a prototype parabolic trough system that he is using to operate a steady cottage bread and pastry baking business. The device can bake 25-40, 1000g loaves (depending on the season) in a day (and even a bit more on a perfect day). It also does pastries beautifully. The solar bread baker works so well, that he has invested in a 20 liter dough mixer, which also operates off his house’s PV system.
Audio and video[]
- November 2023: Evacuated tube box oven
- January 2020:
- April 2014
See also[]
Contact[]
Ivan Yaholnitsky, Managing Director
Bethel Business and Community Development Centre
PO Box 53
Mt. Moorosi 750
Lesotho
Home tel: +266 27008463
Lesotho mobile: +266 5874-2991
South Africa mobile: (+27) 72-071-1096
Email: bbcdc@ilesotho.com
Web: http://ivanyaholnitsky.wix.com/education
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bethelbusinessandcommunitydevelopmentcentre