Salud del Sol was founded by four students from the University of Dayton. After researching solar autoclaves, the company was formed as a way to expand this and other similar renewable energy, health-related technologies. We have backgrounds in both business and engineering, making us able to tackle diverse problems. Our multi-discipline, flexible approach helps people meet their own needs.
As an appropriate technology company, we bring multiple skills to assist our partners with their development needs. Salud del Sol conducts research and development, acts as custodian for intellectual property, secures funding through donations and grants, does market analysis and development, and provides other advice and assistance for long-term sustainability of small businesses in poverty stricken areas.
We are in the process of applying to the IRS for non-profit status as a 501(c)(3) organization.
Founders: Anna Young, Lori Hanna, Lauren Dokes and Daniel Hensel
Lori is responsible for sustaining the vision and mission of the company. During the summer of 2008, she providec in-country support for the solar autoclave project until June 18, at which time she joindc the other team members in Sabana Grande de Totogalpa, Nicaragua.
Lori will graduate in December of 2008 with her Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Dayton, School of Engineering. Salud del Sol is an extension of her honors thesis, “Solar Autoclave for Rural Nicaragua.” During the summer of 2006, she participated in the UD ETHOS program and traveled to Nicaragua to work with Grupo Fenix on researching and developing solar box cookers. While there, she was introduced to the idea of a solar autoclave to sterilize medical instruments. In 2007, Lori traveled back to Nicaragua to conduct interviews in health clinics to discover the design requirements for the solar autoclave and conduct initial testing on the existing autoclave prototype.
Lori is past President of the ETHOS Club, which promotes appropriate technology in Dayton and surrounding areas. She is a member of Pi Tau Sigma, International Mechanical Engineering Honor Society. She loves to dance, as she has danced with and choreographed for the UD Dance Ensemble for the last four years. Her other interests are expressed in the Minors she will earn: Spanish and Social Work.
Anna is responsible for developing new programs and managing donor and corporate relations. She was on the Salud del Sol team, based in Sabana Grande de Totogalpa, Nicaragua, for the summer of 2008.
In May 2008, Anna earned her Bachelor of Science degree with majors in Finance and Business Economics from the University of Dayton, School of Business Administration. Her honors thesis, “An Application of the Grameen Bank Group Lending Model to Dayton Neighborhoods,” focused on a technology transfer of micro financing as a development economics program. In the summer of 2006, she studied abroad at the University of Augsburg, Germany and in the summer of 2007, she was the student coordinator for the study abroad program in Spain.
During her UD career, Anna participated in numerous student service activities including Christmas on Campus and Distance for Dreams, which she co-founded in 2007. Anna is a member of Beta Gamma Sigma, the International Honor Society recognizing business excellence.
As Director of Product Research, Daniel is responsible managing the testing and prototyping of our projects. He was on the Salud del Sol team, based in Sabana Grande de Totogalpa, Nicaragua, for the summer of 2008.
Daniel is currently a fifth year student at the University of Dayton, School of Engineering, studying Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering.
Daniel has traveled extensively, including traveling to Nicaragua to perpetuate the solar autoclave joint venture. Daniel is devoted to doing his part to improve the conditions of life for as many people as possible, wherever he can.
Lauren is responsible for managing the financial resources of the company. During the summer of 2008, she provided in-country support for Salud del Sol team members who are on location in Nicaragua.
In May 2008, Lauren earned her Bachelor of Science degree with a major in Accounting and a minor in Spanish from the University of Dayton, School of Business Administration.
While attending UD, Lauren co-founded the Dayton Student Chapter of the National Association of Black Accountants, Inc., a combined chapter with Wright State University. Additionally, she was an INROADS intern and actively involved on campus as a President’s Emissary and a Resident Assistant. In July, she will start her career with Fifth Third Bank in Cincinnati, Ohio as a Financial Staff Auditor.
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More about Salud del Sol
- The News & Events page has postings to Salud del Sol news coverage. You can read about the Business Plan Competition that we won, and background in our product research for solar autoclaves.
New! Solar Cooker Construction Manual, 2008 by CJ Colavito, Grupo Fenix volunteer
- The Solar Cooker Construction Manual, complete with photos and detailed diagrams for building your own solar box cooker, is now available. Download the English version (4Mb PDF) here:
Download the manual en Español (4Mb PDF) here: