Rachel Andres, 2008 recipient of The Charles Bronfman Prize, is dedicated to improving the safety and security of survivors of Darfur’s genocide. As Director of Jewish World Watch’s landmark Solar Cooker Project (SCP), Andres has reduced the risk of sexual violence against refugee women by providing an alternative cooking option, enabling them to limit searching for firewood outside the relative safety of refugee camps.
What are you focused on today?
SCP is the largest solar cooker project in the world: we’ve helped 60,000 refugees, distributing 46,000 cookers across Chad. Our goal is to serve all 250,000 refugees. Through training, support and implementation, SCP will reduce unspeakable crimes against women.
How have your Jewish values informed your work?
My parents and grandparents taught me that it is an obligation to repair the world, and to “not stand idly by when others are dying.” SCP allows me to incorporate these values into my work and life every day.
