The fuel generally consists of small twigs they scavenge from the hillside. The twigs burn quickly, much are still moist, burn quickly and generate a large amount of smoke. The heat generated is not concentrated, dissipates easily and does not achieve very high temperatures. A lot of wood is burnt inefficiently, devastating the countryside. The smoke damages the health of the women who do the cooking, and the children they carry with them.
The diet consist mainly of starchy produces that they grow themselves: cassava, potatoes, sweet potatoes, plantain (green bananas, cooking bananas).
Those who can afford it supplement it with peanuts, chillies, squashes, … But the bulk is starch.
They rarely eat meat or other types of protein.
This summer we are launching two other projects here besides solar panel power generation. One team will design number of ways to build better stoves: using bricks, dried mud bricks, etc. They will also design better ways to use the same fuels. For example, by pressing together dried banana leaves to make denser and more energy efficient fuel.
Another team with help the villagers to start small kitchen gardens to grow green vegetables, to improve the diet.
This is why we are here for the “pre-trip” study. To discuss with our partner NGO - African Evangelical Enterprise, to learn from the villagers their cooking methods, the diet, the issues and concerns that may affect their willingness and ability to adopt new cooking methods. AEE seem excited about the new projects. There seems to be real opportunities to work with their own self-help groups and even local government at the village level.
We are excited and looking forward to a challenging but meaningful summer.
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