Sticks and Stones

Travelers in Africa will readily recognize this cooking fire. A fire is made between three stones upon which a cooking pot will be set. The women of the family will then squat by this fire and make the family meal.

Some version of this is a fixture of every Burundian home with ~98% of homes cooking with wood or a low-grade charcoal made by villagers.  Every night one can see the fires dotted across the rural hillsides as wood collected through the day is partially burned to create charcoal to be sold in the towns and cities, filling the valleys with smoke and the smell of wood fires. 

Just as in the children’s adage of “Sticks and Stones may break my bones” these sticks and stones create lasting harm as well.  They are a significant factor behind the near complete deforestation of the country as well as creating sustained exposure to wood smoke, especially in poorly ventilated homes, contributing to poor health outcomes and low life expectancy (~62 years).

How are we helping?

We are working on two primary fronts.  First, we are working to find implementable cooking methods that use wood more efficiently, with the key being “implementable.”  Several alternatives have been offered in the past with few being adopted.  Second, we are working with our partner, Jabuka Investments, to develop a propane cooking industry.  This clean burning fuel can be sourced from Tanzania with the needed equipment sourced from Kenya.  Much work remains to make it a feasible alternative, but a small beginning is underway.

How can you help?

There are two primary ways you can be a part of these needed solutions.  First, donate to our sustainable development fund.  This fund works with partners like Jabuka Investments to create local capacity to solve the problems of Burundi and the region at large by working with local entrepreneurs to develop problem solving skills, business acumen, and an ethos of serving their communities.

Second, contribute your time and expertise.  Perhaps you have expertise in efficient cooking methods and the fabrication of the required equipment.  Maybe something like a rocket stove that could be adapted for this use.  We would welcome the opportunity to help you make this happen.