Locally produced efficient Upesi stoves reduce wood consumption in Kenya and help to preserve the unique vegetation and biodiversity of Kakamega rainforest. The stoves have a cleaner burning process and thus decrease indoor air pollution and associated acute respiratory infections in women and children. Moreover, savings in burning unsustainably harvested fuel wood cut down CO2 emissions. The installation of the efficient Upesi cook stove led not only to a decreased deforestation of the Kakamega rainforest. This project even helped with reforestation: trees are being planted following the extraction of clay, which is used as a resource for the Upesi stoves. Due to the efficiency of the Upesi stoves girls can attend more time in school as they don’t have to go and collect firewood for the inefficient traditional fire places. Moreover are the Upesi stoves are being produced locally by women’s groups generating additional income.
Project impacts and benefits (Up to the end of 2014):
- Over 24,000 stoves have been installed
- 9 stove production groups
- 340 people (68% women) receive an income (15 staff, 126 producers, 196 installers, 7 associates) earning almost 5 times more than what they made prior to the project.
- Over 130,000 people benefit from the project
- 98% improved indoor air
- Each stove avoids about 3,3 t CO2 and 2 to wood per year.
For more information about this project please contact Tobias Hoeck>>
