Fuel-efficient stoves are having a major impact on the amount of firewood being used by villagers surrounding Kibale.  On average, families using efficient stoves burn 32% less wood than those using traditional stoves.

The project began constructing stoves in the fall of 2006, and to date (April 2009) the staff have assisted in the building of over 500.

This adds up to over 3,200 lbs. of wood being saved each day, much of which would have been cut or collected inside Kibale National Park.

Each family supplies the majority of the materials (bricks and mud) themselves, with harder-to-find sheet metal sold to them at our cost. The cost to build a stove is just slightly over $2, making it affordable for those living in very rural areas.

Top of Page: A newly completed fuel-efficient stove.

Above Left: The traditional-type stove currently used by most families around Kibale.

Above Right: Three-stone stoves produce large amounts of black smoke and much of their heat-energy is lost to the surrounding air. The smoke is a health risk for the entire family, but especially the women who are normally the ones cooking.

Below: Children helping build their family’s new efficient stove.