Uses significantly less firewood

Produces less smoke

Cooks quickly

Safer for children

Cooks nsima and relish simultaneously (two pots)

Cheap to construct

 

As part of our reforestation programme we are introducing The Changu Changu Moto Project, meaning fast fast fire in Chichewa.  We teach people in the community to make efficient clay ovens, reducing the amount of firewood used in a household by up to 65%.  In Malawi trees are used for everything, building houses, making furniture, burning bricks, heating water, cooking and making tools- just to name a few.  With Malawi’s rapidly expanding population, trees continue to be stripped from the land, with minimal efforts to reverse the trend.

We started our schools reforestation programme 3 years ago, creating a forum to teach children about deforestation and how to grow trees from seeds and transplant seedlings. One of the biggest needs for wood is cooking.  Cooking on an open fire uses a huge amount of firewood, creates plumes of smoke and is dangerous for children.

Our project staff teach people in the community to make Changu Changu Moto stoves, using village tools and naturally available resources.   Each family then receives 10 seeds to grow, 5 fruit trees and 5 indigenous trees in return for building a family member or neighbour a stove.  This will encourage, passing on skills and changing generations to come.