We empower poor subsistence farmers, where the ability to cook food is a huge problem. Electricity is expensive & unreliable; charcoal has led to extensive deforestation and traditional cooking methods use large tree trunks. C19 has hugely impacted already poverty-stricken rural Zambia, driving up inflation and ending income from visitors and volunteers from overseas. We promote growing and efficient use of firewood as a source of renewable energy for cooking to reduce poverty & deforestation.
Tikondane Community Centre assists 75 poor subsistence farmers. Their basic need to cook food in their homesteads cannot be filled by electricity as even if available, it is far too expensive. Charcoal has been used for many years, but when available, is not obtained legally. Extensive deforestation caused by making charcoal causes erosion, while charcoal is increasingly scarce and expensive.
Tikondane already pays school fees for schoolgirls, who will plant and care for tree seedlings in return for earning pocket money. Families will then use clay stoves designed to burn very small sticks to produce efficient and consistent heat. They (clay stoves) are easy to build and repair but need a roof cover to protect from rain damage (see pictures). Cooking outside the house prevents smoke inhalation and efficient cooking improves livelihoods and is ecological.
Growing trees as a renewable energy will reduce the present degree of poverty and combat climate change, while being respectful of local traditions. Children and future generations will embrace the importance of cultivation and conservation, as well as budgeting and ability to earn money for future sustainability. Most importantly, ending the use of charcoal shall prevent deforestation and erosion while combatting climate change.
This project has provided additional documentation in a DOCX file (projdoc.docx).
