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Nhlalwenhle Ngwenya
AN initiative of providing clean and efficient energy by Zimbabwe Project Trust in conjunction with Environment Africa is likely to alleviate indoor pollution and save lives of women who use open fires.
The initiative of an energy saving stove has been set afoot in Insiza Village 10 and more rural areas are set to follow.
The stove, which is built using locally available material, channels smoke through a chimney outside cooking huts in the process avoiding thatched houses from getting soot and shielding women from indoor pollution.
According to a World Health Organisation (WHO) 2016 report smoke from domestic fires kills nearly two million people each year and causes health complications for millions globally.
As such women in Inyathi who spend more time preparing meals in open fire are likely to get health benefits and at the same time save energy.
Mavis Nkomo, one of the women in Inyathi who is already using the stove said that there were a lot of benefits as compared to when she used firewood.
a�?There are a lot of changes compared to when I was using firewood. For example now my thatched hut is always clean. My children no longer cough frequently or have teary eyes due to smoke. Ita��s actually now more comfortable to be in the kitchen,a�? she said.
Insiza Ward 16 village 10 Headman, Mkhiwa Moyo hopes to see more villages adopting the stove.
a�?The stove is very efficient and energy saving. Now people in my ward are using less firewood,a�? said Moyo.
Despite having the potential of killing the cultural aspect of an open fire and storytelling during the night, Zimbabwe Project Trusta��s Tobias Chipare said the stove was set to reduce deforestation.
a�?The good part about the energy saving stove is that it reduces the consumption of wood which means that the environment can recover from deforestation. Ita��s a way of coping and adapting to climate change,a�? said Chipare.
Bongani Ndlovu