02/03/2017
In Nakuru County, Kenya, wood and charcoal represent 86% of the fuel used by the household for cooking and heating. One of the most onerous tasks for women is the activity of collecting wood, which is increasingly difficult. The progressive destruction of the forest forces them to push themselves more and more internally, contributing to a strong anthropogenic pressure on the already weak forest ecosystem.
Together with our local partner NECOFA, as part of the “Local economies and environmental protection in Kenya“ project co-financed by the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation, we have distributed 15,000 improved stoves to 7,500 households, most of which with a woman as head of the household.
These stoves were built by self-help groups and installed, after training, using locally available materials. They do not use complex technology and are easy to maintain.
The results were surprising. In addition to the reduction in the use of wood, and therefore the pressure on the forest, women have benefited from a significant reduction in their workload. The local industry has then made it possible to discover new creative uses such as that of incubator for chicks!
The AID 010149/MATE/KEN project is co-financed by the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation and implemented by Mani Tese and the local partner NECOFA.
