Clean Fuels and Cookstoves for Schools in Uganda

We are very happy to report we’ve made significant progress with the institutional stove project at the Rubaare Educational Foundation schools in Uganda.  During the month of February, the Unitarian Church of Summit New Jersey pledged all the proceeds from their Sunday collections towards the purchase of institutional stoves for the REF schools.  The Unitarian Church raised over $7,600! The funds will be used to buy new stoves for the main campus and for two of the primary schools.  We are so grateful for their generosity and support.  

The stoves that we will purchase for REF are expected to reduce the school district's fuel consumption by over 70%.  The stoves are also clean burning and will greatly reduce the amount of smoke and emissions generated while meals are cooked. This means no more burning eyes and coughing for the cooks.

(Incidentally, the medical journal The Lancet reported in December that the number of deaths attributed to indoor air pollution from inefficient cooking is closer to 4 million, rather than the 2 million previously estimated. These figures greatly surpass the number of deaths around the world from HIV/Aids, Tuberculosis, and Malaria.) 

In anticipation of the new stoves coming, Henry Twinemasiko, Director of REF, built a new, better ventilated structure, which will serve as a cookhouse and dining room for the students.

Despite our great progress, we still need your support to equip the remaining three schools with stoves. Wednesday, March 13th, is a Global Giving Matching Day and the perfect opportunity for you to maximize your generous contribution.  Global Giving is matching up to 30% of donations made tomorrow, so please consider supporting Henry Twinemasiko and the students at REF.  

Thanks again for your past and future support!

Warmest regards,

Kim and Sylvia