Fuel efficient stoves
Wood is still the fuel most often used throughout Malawi for cooking; in the traditional cooking method, three stones are placed on the ground with the cooking pot on top and burning sticks placed underneath. This approach is costly in terms of the amount of wood used and in the time it takes to get enough heat to cook. It is also detrimental to health causing a lot of smoke inhalation and often the unsteady nature of the cooking pot results in accidents, with scalds and burns commonplace
Working with a local charity we are trialling the introduction of fuel efficient stoves. which are estimated to use 65% less fire wood, thereby preserving woodlands.
Two large stoves have been installed, one at Chirunga School and the other at the church hall. Soon we shall start the roll out across the other 21 schools
Other News
Distributing Baby Clothes
Volunteers have been to the maternity unit at the Matawale Health Centre, just 15 kms away from Sitima, to deliver baby clothes to new born babies. Most women give birth at home but for some who experience a complicated pregnancy or birth.
We are always learning
In February 2019 we held our first Tree Planting day for St Michael’s Zone, with the intention of repeating this project each February but first of all we needed to monitor how effective our pilot was.
Tree Planting Day
At a meeting with the Headteachers of all 17 schools, way back in October, a decision was made to make a collective stand against Climate Change, by hosting a St Michael’s Zone Tree Planting Day on Wednesday 6 February.