Women and children in many parts of the developing world, including Timor Leste, breathe in the smoke from the cooking fires in their homes. Bronchitis is one of the major health problems in our friendship district of Aileu. Deforestation and soil erosion are also serious concerns.
During our visit to Aileu in 2008 CETAF was asked by the Sisters of Mary Knoll in Aileu to assist a project to develop fuel efficient stoves in the sub district of Lequidoe.
Rui has a degree in Agriculture and helps the Sisters with projects that improve the health of villagers. He had chosen a stove design which he believed would use 1/3 the amount of firewood used by the cooking fires on the ground used by the villagers.
CETAF provided funds for Rui to construct one pilot stove in each of the 7 sucos (villages) in Lequidoe. Rui created the moulds and supervised the construction of 15 fuel efficient stoves! He helped the villagers collect clay, gravel, banana plant stems and rice hulls (all available in the local area) for constructing the stoves. Rui chose recipients for the stoves who would train others in the construction techniques.
The rice hulls, clay and gravel are mixed together and placed in the mould, which is removed after two or three days. Rui (pictured below left) shows the villager how to cut out the banana stems to produce the holes in the stove. The villager pictured is digging out the hole for the firewood to be placed in. The top holes are used to rest the cooking pots on.
A local health official is helping the programme. The flue will take smoke out of the kitchen.
The villagers who have fuel efficient stoves are thrilled with them. They report they are using 1/5 the amount of firewood as previously. Women and children usually have to carry the firewood long distances. If they don’t find firewood they can’t cook their food. As rice is the main staple this means they often go hungry.
There is much evidence of deforestation and soil erosion around the hills of Lequidoe. The Timorese government is concerned about this and is discussing limiting the collection of wood for fires.
There are many reasons to support the building of fuel efficient stoves as they use 75% less firewood. They help the environment and improve the health and lives of women and children. All the materials are available locally and the villagers only need to pay for the metal for the stove, which is rolled around a banana palm to make the flue.
Unfortunately, however, some of the materials, especially the gravel from down in the river, have to be transported several kilometres –often uphill. Rui only has a motorbike and the villagers don’t own vehicles. Assistance with transport is desperately needed.
HOW YOU CAN HELP? Donate towards transport costs so more stoves are built
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