Lendwithcare is currently supporting the distribution of improved cookstoves in two countries: India and Rwanda. In India, there are three types of cookstoves provided, the Greenway Jumbo, Greenway Smart and Sarala. Their cost price is around US$30 each. In Rwanda only one type of cookstove is being provided, which is manufactured by Mimi Moto. These cost around US$75 each. In both countries there are costs associated with requesting Gold Standard and Fairtrade verification, and the operational costs of our local partners. The stoves in India can use solid biomass such as wood and dry dung, but use much less than traditional mud cookstoves, making them much more efficient in producing energy. More information is available here. In Rwanda, pellets are used for cooking rather than wood or charcoal. The Mimi Moto stoves are higher tier cookstoves, and you can see how they work here.
In India, cookstove recipients will significantly reduce the time they spend collecting biomass such as firewood as much less will be needed. This is an activity mainly undertaken by women and girls at present. In Rwanda, the cookstove recipients are urban and peri-urban, meaning the purchase of charcoal will be commonplace for them. Our local partner organisation, BioMassters provides all recipients with one month’s supply of pellets (which are made from compacted sawdust) for free. Afterwards, pellets need to be a bought at a reasonable cost. Per kilogram, pellets cost around 10 US cents less than charcoal. Furthermore, the improved cookstoves possess greater thermal efficiency than traditional cookstoves, so fewer pellets are required to cook with.
The pellets provided by BioMassters are manufactured from biomass waste that is left over from forest management, reforestation and furniture production. By using this resource, there is less pressure on local forests which are being deforested because of charcoal production.
We're proud to introduce a new way to support low-income families most at risk of climate change through Lendwithcare. Find out more about making a grant today.