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Last edited: 2 January 2023      
The article below is about a solar cooking promoter who is now deceased. This information is maintained here as a tribute to the important work done by Bev Blum.
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Bev Blum

Bev Blum was a founder, first President 1987-89, first Executive Director of Solar Cookers International (SCI) from 1989-1999 and 2003-2006, and Board President 2010-11.

SCI produced, sold and distributed many thousands of copies of educational guides for making, using and promoting solar cookers, including a case statement used by UNESCO when the UN (briefly) approved a resolution establishing a World Solar Cookers Program World Solar Cookers Program, 1998 - 2003.

At SCI's world conference in Granada, Spain in 2006 Bev led formation of the Solar Cookers World Network by and for independent solar cooker promoters and organizations for info exchange and collective advocacy. After producing periodic network newsletters 2006-2010, the network is now maintained by the website www.solarcooking.org. At SCI, Bev developed a foldable box cooker in 1992 that fit within its lid, and also coordinated many volunteers -- Roger Bernard, Barbara Kerr, Jay Campbell, and Ed Pejack -- to create the CooKit in 1994, the the lowest-cost family cooker, mass-produced or hand-made. By the Year 2000, CooKits were produced independently in 28+ countries. Starting in 1995, Bev helped SCI launch projects promoting Cookits and training families in Kenya refugee camps Kakuma and Dadaab (27,000), in Ethiopian camp Aisha (3000) for UNHCR and community market-based projects in Zimbabwe (10,000) for UNESCO with U. Zimbabwe Development Technology Centre and Kenya (6,000) with local NGO, NYACODA. Independent evaluations in each project confirmed wide acceptance, use and benefits - saving time, labor and wood and reducing water-born diseases.

Bev is deceased, passing in November 2022. Read Bev Blum's obituary.

Audio and video[]

  • January 2023:
Bev_Blum-_Founder_and_Grower_of_Solar_Cookers_International_at_Home_and_Abroad-2

Bev Blum- Founder and Grower of Solar Cookers International at Home and Abroad-2

Bev is interviewed by Luther Krueger from the Big Blue Sun Museum of Solar Cooking. Bev inspired thousands to get involved with local and international events and presentations at . Bev literally put Solar Cookers International on the map.

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