The women of the Himalayas rise every morning before dawn to collect dung and wood fuels for the fire. In order to provide their families with food, warmth, and light, they forgo school. Instead, they carry heavy baskets of fuel, tend the fire, and breathe toxic indoor air pollution (the world’s biggest killer of children under five, claiming 1.6 million lives per year). These activities also lead to deforestation and generate black carbon, contributing to the alarming melt rate of the Himalayan glaciers.

Working with nomadic and agricultural villages in the Himalayan region, One Earth Designs is developing energy technologies that can alleviate these burdens. One recently developed device that has the potential to play a major role is the SolSource 3-in-1. This device provides Himalayan nomads with a low-cost and portable means of cooking, heating, and generating electricity from the sun. In describing the its usefulness, one user stated:

"When I was little, I asked my mother why she was so short. She told me that I too would be short because of the heavy burdens of fuel and water that we women carry. This is why I feel a more portable solar cooker is so important." – Lhamotso, Waku Village

*All names and villages associated with quotes are altered to respect the privacy of community partners.