The Harris Cohen and Victoria Protheroe
Biodiesel Project

The Harris Cohen and Victoria Protheroe Biodiesel Project will utilize oil from jatropha tree seed pods, which will be grown on the Peace House campus. The donation we have received will be used to purchase jatropha seedlings and to prepare the soil for planting them at Peace House Secondary School. We will continue to update you on the progress of this innovative project that will not only help Peace House save on fuel costs, but also educate 280 Tanzanian students about this unique sustainable energy source.

 

JATROPHA - BIOFUEL INNOVATION AT PEACE HOUSE

• Reliable, inexpensive sources of energy are a major challenge for many countries in the developing world and Tanzania is no exception.
  
  
• One innovative solution is to create biodiesel from jatropha, a hardy tree that grows with little rain in soil not suited for most agricultural production.
  
  
• Seed pods from the Jatropha plant can be crushed to extract oil, which can be easily converted into biodiesel or used to make soap with medicinal qualities.
  
  
• Peace House Africa will be planting a 5 acre grove (4350 trees) with plans to plant
  more in the future. Not only will this allow
  PHS students an opportunity to learn about
  this innovative technology, but they would
  also acquire practical business skills.

ENERGY NEEDS AT PHS With a shortage of power at the national level, electricity is rationed, with rotating blackouts on a daily basis for 8-10 hours at a time. This is highly disruptive to the operation of the school and the students’ learning. Biodiesel made from Jatropha will allow us to run the electric generator during the blackouts. Our investment in jatropha should have an ROI of nine months. Because jatropha trees live for up to 35 years, we should be able to enjoy the benefits of this investment for many years to come. To make a donation or more information please visit us at www.peacehouseafrica.org or call us at 952-465-0050